Professionalization in family firms versus non-family businesses in Italy

This paper investigates the characteristics of professionalization in a group of Italian small-medium family firms (FFs), appraising similarities and differences compared to non-family firms (NFFs). The research focuses the implementation of formal Strategic Planning (SP), Management Control Systems (MCSs), and features thereof. Literature review has been combined with research findings of a questionnaire submitted to a sample of North Italian FFs and NFFs.

Professionalization is a relevant issue either at theoretical or practical level as it suggests a direction of managerial innovation for competitiveness Managerial mechanisms are believed to generate benefits, especially in terms of support to the decision-making processes of the various functions of the firm.