Divorce and the Financial Performance of Small Family Businesses: An Exploratory Study

摘要

This study formally examines the relationship between marital dissolution and the short-term financial performance of small closely held family businesses. Fifty-two cases of divorce where a small family business was involved were examined. Organizational and situational variables, such as the involvement of other partners in the business, whether the business was a franchise, whether formal legal proceedings were necessary, and gender differences also were examined. The results indicate that marital dissolution does impact short-term financial performance and that several organizational and situational variables significantly influence this relationship.