Abstract

The case study research methodology in combination with quantitative methods was applied to explore the influence of a family on the emergence and presence of informal and formal institutional measures of business ethics implementation. For the empirical testing, we have selected Slovenia, one of the most developed European post socialist transition countries. Our research reveals that the role modeling is presented to a greater extent in family than in non-family businesses; this measure is the most popular measure of encouraging ethical behavior in family as well as in non-family businesses. The core value statement is presented to a greater extent in non-family than in family businesses, reflecting the less formal mode of family businesses functioning.

Key words: Family, family enterprise, case study, informal and formal measures of business ethics implementation, ethical behavior, transition economies, Slovenia.