Famílias empresárias: desafios intergeracionais.

Abstract

The present dissertation had as general objective to understand and problematize the intergenerational relations in business families and the challenges faced in the management of the family business, under the perspective of the General Systems Theory, together with the concepts of Transgenerationality. Specifically, it aimed to understand the meaning of affective bonds in relationships, from the perspective of family members involved in the management of the family business; to analyze the elements involved in inter and transgenerational relationships and the challenges in the management of the family business; to develop a systemic look at the functioning of the business family, which highlights the interaction and interdependence, between the family system and the company system.This is a qualitative study, with the participation of nine family members who are part of the management body of the family business. A questionnaire with sociodemographic data and an interview conducted in a semi-directed manner, comprising nine questions, were used. The technique used to analyze the interviews was the Thematic Content Analysis. The participants were in the age group between 30 and 65 years old, being three women and six men. The main results showed that: 1) family ties do have an impact on the company's management, as there is more trust, loyalty/faithfulness, and knowledge of temperament and what to expect from the other; 2) the positive elements that permeate intergenerational relationships are union/cohesion, not mixing the personal side with the professional and respecting the hierarchy, while the negatives were acting with protectionism, the family member taking advantage of their kinship relationship to the trespass, fear of hurting or offending the other; 3) the transgenerational elements referred to the transmission of values such as love for the work, offering quality products and ethical posture in the conduction of companies, which are transmitted between generations; 4) finally, the interaction between the family and company systems was clearly perceived, both in its positive and negative aspects. It is expected, with the present work, to contribute with the literature on the family business and offer subsidies to professionals interested in the theme.