Corporate Governance: a study in a family company from the branch of machines and agricultural implements

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the corporate governance structures from a company in the agricultural machinery and implements business and from the owner family. To this end, a case study was carried out with qualitative analyzes of the evidence collected through bibliographic, documentary research, semi-structured interviews with managers and non-participant observation in the company. Through content analysis, the triangulation of evidence was made comparing the governance practices adopted by the family and the company, with those recommended by the literature review. As a result, it was identified the existence of some control mechanisms and the use of governance principles, in addition improvements were suggested in the governance practices adopted by the company, such as the implementation of the directors’ board and the fiscal council, among others. It was also proposed to implement family governance mechanisms, such as the family assembly and the family council. Contributions are limited to the company and the family studied, as a professional result of the research. However, for the academy, research contributes to the advancement of knowledge about family governance of a specific type of organization: in the field of agricultural machinery and implements, as well as for family governance. The study also generates insights for other research, especially in other family business of any industry and size that intend to improve their governance structure and harmonize the family business with family values.