Financing constraints and growth of private family firms: Evidence from different legal origins

Abstract

We investigate whether family control informs the extent to which business growth depends on internal finance. Our results are based on a sample of private firms from two regions in which family ownership prevails: Western Europe and East Asia. The countries covered nonetheless differ from each other in their legal origin. We find that the growth of private family firms is less reliant on internal finance. The beneficial effect of family control is especially pronounced in countries where external lenders are more protected. Family control and a protective institutional environment therefore complement each other to facilitate business growth.