Resumen

SERNA, María Guadalupe. Small family businesses facing economic crises. Econ. soc. territ [online]. 2012, vol.12, n.38, pp.43-80. ISSN 2448-6183.

This article undertakes a reflection on the effects of the Mexican crises of 1984-1985 and 1994-1995 for a small group of family enterprises located in Aguascalientes City. I explore the kind of resources, tangible and intangible assets, which were available to their owners during these periods; what kind of support they had access to, and how they responded and adapted to harsh economic conditions. I also analyze the different kinds of actions taken by owners to deal with the crises and how these gave impetus to, or hindered, their business project. I use the concept of social capital to explain the various conditions under which small family firms arose and developed, as well as their possibilities for success in crisis conditions.

Palabras llave : social networks; family support; small family businesses; economic crisis; social capital.

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