Family-owned businesses stand as the country’s largest employer group, yet they are not the first option for Spanish university students when imagining future careers. A study conducted by the Chair of Family Business at the University of Valencia, with support from Edem business school, Ivefa, and the Institute of Family Business, was presented today in Valencia. The findings show that non-family enterprises rank fourth, following cooperatives and startups, with public administrations, entrepreneurial firms, and NGOs occupying the subsequent positions.
The document sheds light on common stereotypes about family businesses and notes that limits to professional development pose a major barrier. These obstacles affect students by narrowing the scope of job opportunities where they could thrive, and they restrict companies by hindering the attraction of talent essential for growth.
Odds
College students rate these firms fourth because they see greater potential for professional growth and clearer promotion paths in non-family companies that are larger and financially less centralized. The appeal of cooperatives lies in the sense of equality and democratic practices they are believed to embody. Public administration has also seen a drop in attractiveness, suggesting that the old belief about graduates seeking civil service roles is fading.
In broad terms, the study centers on university students and shows a preference for medium to large organizations and for work that involves high-intensity information services or technology-driven activities typical of certain industry sectors.
When examining perceived characteristics and working conditions in family businesses, the report notes that a family name can darken perceptions more than illuminate them. It therefore recommends strong, transparent communication policies in recruitment and selection to overcome many often inaccurate expectations about what a candidate can expect from a family firm.
Ethical Management
On the flip side, family businesses also see themselves as deeply connected to their communities. A commitment to the local district, social responsibility, and ethical management are highlighted as particularly important, especially among Generation Z students who are prominent on university campuses. Other values include proximity, humane treatment, and the fostering of a cooperative and positive work environment.
Consequently, the study concludes that firms that blend these strengths with challenging and exciting projects, especially those linked to technology and information, and that maintain coherent policies and messaging about tuition, training investment, competitive salaries, clear career paths, and equal opportunity, can position themselves as attractive workplaces.
Universities
Finally, the report urges higher education institutions to reflect on the effectiveness of their current work plans. It notes a significant gap between young people’s perceptions and the realities of the modern job market, calling for public administrations to support the professional development of young women. The study also finds that women tend to view many aspects of family business more positively than men, underscoring a gender dimension in workplace perceptions.