Professionalization of Family Business and Performance Effect

Abstract

This study seeks to understand the governance of post–initial public offering (IPO) family firms and its impact on performance. Using an analysis of a balanced panel data set of 205 publicly listed firms in Taiwan spanning 10 years (2,050 firm-years), we found that extensive family control has a negative impact on the post-IPO performance and that nonfamily block shareholders may divest their stockholdings in these firms to protect their investments. To sustain equity support from their block shareholders, post-IPO family firms should combine the use of family control with professional management in their corporate governance structure.