Family business owners are more concerned about the negative impact of estate taxes than they are about capital gains taxes. The concern over estate taxes may stem from the fact that most families have large portions of their net worth tied up in the family business. More interest in and more planning for keeping the business in the family. Business-owning families report doing more formal planning to ensure a smooth transition between generations. Family business owners report few problems with access to capital Owners of family businesses of all sizes report uniformly high expectations for acquiring the capital they require.
Male relatives carry more clout in family firms .
Male relatives are more likely than females to be involved in family businesses, to hold more influential positions, and to be identified as the key decision makers for the business. Sons are four times as likely as daughters to be identified by owners as controlling ownership and governance decisions in the next generation. Owners encourage children's participation through nature and nurture. Decisions, in most family firms, are made by consensus and fostered by trust. Decisions on key issues are made by a small number of people who come to their decisions through consensus.