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Family businesses in the Region of Murcia have continued to improve their results during 2019, but they notice a change in trend caused, fundamentally, by the national and international political and economic context.

This is reflected in the barometer elaborated by the Mare Nostrum Family Business Chair University of Murcia-Polytechnic University of Cartagena, with the collaboration of Bankia, and the Murcian Association of Family Businesses (AMEFMUR) and which measures the activity of a group that represents more than 92% of the business fabric.

The increase in tariff barriers, international geopolitical conflicts and national political uncertainty lead family businesses to predict that the economic situation will worsen next year, despite the fact that all activity variables remain positive in 2019.

Thus, 53% of companies improved their turnover and 37% increased their workforce, while the Confidence Index fell 9 points, which was mainly reflected in a slowdown in investments made (although both indicators continue in positive figures).

In this context of growth, but distrust, family businesses focus their efforts to compete in enhancing service, quality and customer service.

As for the difficulties experienced during 2019, 52% of companies point to competitive pressure.

It follows in importance the weakness of the demand (49%), that has increased 15 points, the legal aspects (38%) and the shortage of qualified personnel (35%), that grows clearly in front of previous studies.

Regarding next year, the first three concerns are external in nature and experience growth, especially distrust in the economy.

Stresses the emergence of concern about tariffs.

The following are already internal: those related to the control and incorporation of the family, together with the organizational design, are the most important and, on a next level, concerns about survival.

These data have been made public by José Luján and Alejandro Díaz, rectors of the University of Murcia and the Polytechnic University of Cartagena;

José María Tortosa, president of AMEFMUR;

Carlos Aguilera, corporate director of Business of Companies of the Valencian Community and Murcia of Bankia;

María José Ros, General Director of Business Innovation and Defense of the Autonomous and SMEs;

and Ángel Meroño, study coordinator and director of the Mare Nostrum Family Business Chair.

Family government systems

Asked about government systems, 18% of companies consider transmitting the company to the next generation, a figure that grows 5 points compared to last year.

The intention of selling the company drops 3 points to 7%, being more important in companies from the third generation (14%).

Finally, the option to close increases 2 points to 3% and, in the case of first generation companies, rises to 9%.

The incorporation of external management and / or property down 6 points to 9% and occurs exclusively in companies from the second generation.

Family businesses participating in the barometer identify union and commitment as the pillars of the company's long-term orientation.

The union translates into the adoption of succession plans with family members, while the commitment focuses more on the business side, through the development of strategic plans and having management councils that ensure the continuity of the company.

Source: Universidad de Murcia