Project year: 2019
Geographic focus: Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek and Osh)
Type of work: Applied research / mixed-methods study
Thematic focus: Small business development, family enterprises, economic behavior
This study examines how family dynamics shape the operation and sustainability of small businesses in Kyrgyzstan. Focusing on enterprises in Bishkek and Osh, it combines qualitative inquiry with large-scale empirical evidence to assess the role of family involvement in business decision-making, management, and continuity.
The research began with 20 in-depth interviews with small business owners from different sectors, alongside experts and representatives of business associations. These interviews revealed varied patterns of family involvement, ranging from informal support and shared decision-making to direct participation in daily operations and leadership roles.
The qualitative findings were subsequently tested through a representative survey of 1,000 small business owners using random sampling methods. Survey results confirmed that family members frequently occupy key managerial and decision-making positions, and that many enterprises are structured around intergenerational continuity. Family involvement emerges not as a peripheral feature, but as a defining characteristic of small business activity in Kyrgyzstan.
The study provides policy-relevant and programmatic insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and business organizations seeking to better understand — and more effectively support — family-owned and family-influenced enterprises.
The research was led by Dr. Paul Dower (University of Wisconsin–Madison), funded by the UK Department for International Development, and implemented locally by Target Research in partnership with Crossroads Central Asia.