Introduction: Family firms in Latin America: Why are they important and why should we care?

Abstract

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book introduces the Latin American Region, and highlights its importance in the economy of the world. It discusses the role that family firms from this part of the world have as global competitors. The book then focuses on ownership and governance structures in Latin American family firms. It also explores strategy and entrepreneurship. The book emphasizes the entrepreneurial and strategic dynamics behind family multinationals and draws from family accounts from Chile, Puerto Rico and The Dominican Republic. It then examines family dynamics and how they affect the family firm and the business family. The book also focuses on organizational performance. Organizational performance is influenced by family goals which have a major effect on competitiveness and market position. The book then deals with the importance of family ties and agency perspectives. © 2019 Taylor & Francis.