Gender Preference and Succession of Family Businesses in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Succession in family business is an important factor for business continuity and most of the family business successors are males which shows that leadership is lopsided against females in Jos, Nigeria. This study examined gender preference and succession of family business in Jos, Plateau State. It focused on the perception about the succession process in family businesses regarding gender issues and why daughters may feel discriminated for succeeding their parents in a family business. It examined the influence of cultural stereotype and trust on family business succession with focal point among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Jos metropolis, Plateau State. Structured questionnaire schedule was administered and data were obtained from 220 SMEs using a cross-sectional survey of descriptive research design. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using multiple regression in establishing relationship among the variables. The findings indicated that cultural stereotype and trust has significant influence on the choice of a successor in family business. It was recommended that the ability to manage family business should be paramount in choosing a successor rather than to stereotype daughters on the basis of culture, as that will determine whether the business will survive.