Decision-making Related to Business Growth: Malay Small Businesses in Selangor

Abstract

In this paper business and family related decisions about business growth among Malay small family business (MSFB) in Selangor, Malaysia are explored. Focussing on business and family dynamics strategies for developing the MSFB sector, extant literature on issues associated with decision-making about business growth indicated and empirical evidence from MSFB owners presented. Using a qualitative approach, a case study design was used to interview owners and family members of ten different Malay small family businesses. Analysis was undertaken using Aronson's pragmatic, thematic analysis. In the Malay culture, family members participate in family discussions as a precursor to final decisions being made by the father or family elders; a decision-making style well known as pseudo-participative. Results suggest that business and family related decisions about business growth consist of four component areas; finance, technology, employment and support.