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Managing work and family in small "copreneurial" business: an Australian study

Managing work and family in small "copreneurial" business: an Australian study This paper reports on a recent Australian study of 20 "copreneurial" marital partners who own and manage a small business together. For "copreneurs", the disadvantages of living and working together are outweighed by opportunities for maximum autonomy and personal control, and working together in a common cause which capitalises on individual strengths and values. Work and family management is enhanced by this form of family business, allowing partners to combine career and home duties flexibly and effectively. Traditional gender roles are apparent in "copreneurship", with women predominantly responsible for the home domain and family care. "Copreneurship" helps promote a "family-friendly" work environment for the business partners and for their employees. This "family-friendly" culture also fosters an entrepreneurial spirit in children, which bodes well for the next generation of small business owners and salaried employees. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Women In Management Review Emerald Publishing

Managing work and family in small "copreneurial" business: an Australian study

Catherine R. Smith
Women In Management Review , Volume 15 (5/6): 7 – Aug 1, 2000
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2000 MCB UP Ltd. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0964-9425
DOI
10.1108/09649420010372940
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This paper reports on a recent Australian study of 20 "copreneurial" marital partners who own and manage a small business together. For "copreneurs", the disadvantages of living and working together are outweighed by opportunities for maximum autonomy and personal control, and working together in a common cause which capitalises on individual strengths and values. Work and family management is enhanced by this form of family business, allowing partners to combine career and home duties flexibly and effectively. Traditional gender roles are apparent in "copreneurship", with women predominantly responsible for the home domain and family care. "Copreneurship" helps promote a "family-friendly" work environment for the business partners and for their employees. This "family-friendly" culture also fosters an entrepreneurial spirit in children, which bodes well for the next generation of small business owners and salaried employees.

Journal

Women In Management Review – Emerald Publishing

Published: Aug 1, 2000

Keywords: Work; Family life; Family firms; Small firms; Family‐friendly organizations

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