Expected atrributes of successor in family businesses: An application in family businesses in Malatya

Today 75 percent of registered businesses almost all over the world hold the distinction of being family business. As in the World, in our country family businesses' that are integral parts of economy continuity become more important because of their effect on national income, job creation, providing local and regional development. 85 percent family businesses in our country couldn't survive more than third generation. It's seen management succession from one generation to onother is crucial process when searched studies that is hold in family business scope. Business which completed their institutionalization are in preparation of management succession. Succession is a process consists of some stages like determining successor, succesor appointment and declaration of succession to shareholders. Successor determination which is first stage perhaps it is taking the most important decision. It is necessary successor, that is going to take over management, has a certain number of attributes. Studies about succession process state management succession in family business is under control of founder/manager. Thus it's supposed family business founder/owner to realize various matters while choosing successor. With this study it's aimed to light the way for critical stage like succession in action process of family business, contribute in revealing attributes that successor, that is the most important actor in this stage, has to hold, and finally to guide founders/managers who pass management. In accordance with this purpose, a study carried out in family businesses Malatya 1.Industrail Zone via developed suitable for literature in tihs field. According to the study self confidence, being ambitous and rush, and honesty are the most desirable attributes that successor holds. On the other hand it's appeared that birth order and share in business are the least important attributes. It's interesting to perceive unimportant being from same family namely blood relationship. These results, personal attributes are more considered than old, gender, birth order, blood relationship. Key Words: Management Succession in family businesses, Successor selection in family businesses, Family businesses and Attributes of successor.