Sucessão empresarial de médios e pequenos empreendedores na Região Metropolitana de Belém: correlação de trocas sociais na sucessão de empreendimentos familiares

Family succession is a natural and fundamental process in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often marked by turbulent and conflicting phases, since the continuity of the business is at stake during the intergenerational leadership transition. This study analyzes how social exchanges influence conflicts arising from high succession expectations and how these relationships affect the succession process in a small/medium-sized family firm located in the metropolitan region of Belém. In addition, it identifies strategies that can be used to mitigate conflicts triggered by succession in light of social expectations. The relevance of this research lies in the importance of family businesses to the Brazilian economy and in the impact of succession conflicts on their sustainability and continuity. The methodology combines a literature review with a qualitative case study, based on a semi-structured interview and thematic analysis of the data. The findings show that high levels of mutual trust, respect and cooperation among family members, together with open communication and formal succession planning (including structures such as a family holding), help reduce tensions and promote a smoother transition. It is concluded that the strategic management of social exchanges is a key element for the continuity of small and medium-sized family businesses, offering practical insights for entrepreneurs facing the challenges of family succession.