Date of Award

2012

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Human Development and Family Science

Department

Human Development and Family Science

College

Human Sciences and Education

Faculty Advisor

Fitzgerald, Margaret A.

Description

Copreneurs, defined as couples who jointly operate a business and share business-related responsibilities and decisions, represent a growing portion of family business (Fitzgerald & Muske; 2002; Marshack, 1993, 1994). However, knowledge of copreneurs remains limited in the research literature. The uniqueness of copreneurs may be particularly meaningful with respect to community social responsibility, referring to the contributions a business provides to the community beyond the products and services offered (Besser, 1999). This study explores the potential differences between the socially responsible behaviors of copreneurial and noncopreneurial businesses using the Sustainable Family Business Theory as a framework. Analysis focuses on the influence of business owner, business, community, and family characteristics on the community social responsibility of copreneurs and noncopreneurs. Data from the 2000 panel of the National Family Business Survey (NFBS) was used. Findings indicate that certain characteristics and contexts influence community social responsibility, although copreneurship is not a significant predictor.

Rights

NDSU Policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/26564

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