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East Africa: Extended Families with Many Rights

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  • Garry D. Smith

Abstract

The study by Khavul, Bruton, and Wood was an attempt to shed light on informal family businesses in East Africa, a group seldom studied. By applying the tenets of grounded theory the authors were able to successfully provide some insight into family business in this region. This commentary provides insight into the research by discussing the findings in light of the three–dimensional model of family business and attempts to limit agency costs based on cultural–based rights of the extended family. Also discussed here is a finding that may indicate a gender–related issue in opportunity identification and exploitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Garry D. Smith, 2009. "East Africa: Extended Families with Many Rights," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(6), pages 1239-1244, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:entthe:v:33:y:2009:i:6:p:1239-1244
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00343.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Michael Carney, 2005. "Corporate Governance and Competitive Advantage in Family–Controlled Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 29(3), pages 249-265, May.
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    3. Susanna Khavul & Garry D. Bruton & Eric Wood, 2009. "Informal Family Business in Africa," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(6), pages 1219-1238, November.
    4. Timothy G. Habbershon, 2006. "Commentary: A Framework for Managing the Familiness and Agency Advantages in Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 30(6), pages 879-886, November.
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    7. Neri Karra & Paul Tracey & Nelson Phillips, 2006. "Altruism and Agency in the Family Firm: Exploring the Role of Family, Kinship, and Ethnicity," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 30(6), pages 861-877, November.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Jane N. O. Khayesi & Gerard George & John Antonakis, 2014. "Kinship in Entrepreneur Networks: Performance Effects of Resource Assembly in Africa," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(6), pages 1323-1342, November.
    4. Thomas M. Zellweger & James J. Chrisman & Jess H. Chua & Lloyd P. Steier, 2019. "Social Structures, Social Relationships, and Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 43(2), pages 207-223, March.
    5. Victoria Antin Yates & James M. Vardaman & James J. Chrisman, 2023. "Social network research in the family business literature: a review and integration," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(4), pages 1323-1345, April.
    6. Busch, Christian & Mudida, Robert, 2023. "Asserting and transcending ethnic homophily: how entrepreneurs develop social ties to access resources and opportunities in socially contested environments," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 121150, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    7. Kimberly A. Eddleston & James J. Chrisman & Lloyd P. Steier & Jess H. Chua, 2010. "Governance and Trust in Family Firms: An Introduction," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 34(6), pages 1043-1056, November.
    8. Remedios Hernández-Linares & Soumodip Sarkar & Manuel J. Cobo, 2018. "Inspecting the Achilles heel: a quantitative analysis of 50 years of family business definitions," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 115(2), pages 929-951, May.
    9. Lavlu Mozumdar & Valentina C. Materia & Geoffrey Hagelaar & Mohammad Amirul Islam & Gerben van der Velde & S. W. F. (Onno) Omta, 2022. "Contextuality of Entrepreneurial Orientation and Business Performance: The Case of Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 8(1), pages 94-120, January.
    10. Lloyd P. Steier & Jess H. Chua & James J. Chrisman, 2009. "Embeddedness Perspectives of Economic Action within Family Firms," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 33(6), pages 1157-1167, November.

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