FAMILY BUSINESS RESEARCH IN MALAYSIA: THEMATIC AND METHODOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Researching family firms has gained momentum in Malaysia in the last two decades and resulted in many studies that addressed differed aspects of this discipline. Following a systematic approach, this study is a leading attempt to review the existing research on family business in Malaysia. The paper aims to assess the current research situation, redress possible drawbacks, and propose ways to improve research in this discipline. After analyzing and reviewing 46 research articles which responded to the criteria of selection set a priori, the following conclusions were drawn: 1) the existing research has focused mostly on the examination of firm performance. 2) The explanatory factors tested for their effect on performance were often derived from the corporate governance and management, and culture to a lesser extent. 3) The dominance of quantitative research through panel data where researchers favored the study of listed firms. This being the case however, shortages in qualitative studies and theory-building approaches are observed. The paper ends with some recommendations for future researchers.