Edukacja a zachowania przedsiębiorcze właścicieli-menedżerów zarządzających przedsiębiorstwami rodzinnymi
Education and Entrepreneurial Behavior of Owner-Managers in Family Businesses

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The article presents results of a study that aimed to identify relationships between entrepreneurial education of owner-managers of family firms and their entrepreneurial behavior. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: It was assumed that the entrepreneurial education of owner-managers of family firms influences their entrepreneurial behavior. In particular, the study explored aspects associated with: (i) expansion into new markets, (ii) extending the company’s offer with new products, (iii) making improvements in the offered products and (iv) implementing changes in the organization of work. The study considered that there are statistically significant differences in these four areas between family enterprises in which owner-managers constantly develop their knowledge and other family enterprises where constant development of knowledge does not take place. The hypotheses were verified and aims of the study fulfilled through the analysis of the primary survey. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: Main draft process consists of two basic elements. The first part is the analysis of the literature in the subject’s area. Then, the main, empirical part of the article is based on the results of the quantitative research. RESEARCH RESULTS: Study results indicate that family firms whose owner-managers constantly develop their knowledge extend their existing markets and broaden their products more often than the rest of family firms. These findings are statistically significant. For this reason, education was considered a factor determining the entrepreneurial behavior of owners-managers of family firms. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Based on the research results, the paper recommends to include entrepreneurship education in business school curricula. This is because education influences entrepreneurial decisions relating to undertaking new initiatives and willingness to take risks.

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