Older readers of this column may remember a time when most Caribbean economies were dominated by family owned and run companies. Often linked by a family name to an older generation of Caribbean businessman but much less so women, they were usually paternalistic, influential and often philanthropic.
Such companies could be found in almost every Caribbean nation in CARICOM, as well as in the Dominican Republic, and the French and Dutch speaking Caribbean.
Although they were in business to succeed, were sometimes autocratic, often tried to maintain a monopolistic position in their sector or country, and sometimes held back development, most coupled this with a belief that they had a social responsibility.
