The entrepreneur by inheritance and his role in agribusiness in Rio Grande do Sul

Authors

  • Ednael Macedo Felix Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4520-8257
  • Tatiane Betat Kohlrausch Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA)
  • Fábio Freitas Schilling Marquesan Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5212/Admpg.v.15.23039.011

Abstract

Schumpeterian theory is inescapable regarding the definition of the entrepreneur as the agent of economic development. Brazilian economic development indicators are strongly influenced by agribusiness, and Rio Grande do Sul is one of the largest producers and exporters in the sector. There seems to be an entrepreneurial force that drives agribusiness in Rio Grande do Sul, generating wealth and development. But despite this, little is known about the elementary characteristics that define these agents and this is where the gap that we aim to fill, albeit partially, opens up. Our objective is, precisely, to draw a profile of the agro-entrepreneur from Rio Grande do Sul based on a sample of agents in the sector. The theoretical foundation that supports the work is based on the concept of entrepreneur and involves the study of innovation capabilities, the distinction between insider and outsider entrepreneurs and the survey of research on entrepreneurial characteristics. As for the method, we analyzed 62 interviews – treated by segmentation and interpreted by thematic analysis. After basic descriptive statistics, two profiles emerged: insiders and outsiders. Among the insiders are those we call “entrepreneurs by inheritance”: heirs who continue an already established business. We identified that 75% of these agents are men, and the inherited entrepreneur category represents 55% of the sample. We conclude that success stories in this segment are largely due to a succession process in which inheritance “from father to son” is what predominates. The findings serve to question certain myths about entrepreneurship, with the revelation of the entrepreneur by inheritance as a frequent category in the sample analyzed.

Author Biographies

  • Ednael Macedo Felix, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR)

    PhD student and Master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR), MBA in Business Organizations and Environment from Escola Aberta do Brasil (ESAB), Specialization in Ecology from the Regional University of Cariri (URCA), Specialization in Marketing and Management Management Human Resources, and a Bachelor's degree in Administration from Centro Universitário Vale do Salgado (UNIVS).

  • Tatiane Betat Kohlrausch, Universidade Regional do Cariri (URCA)

    Master's student in Sustainable Regional Development, Graduated in Business Administration, MBA in Financial Management and Controllership from Faculdade Estácio de Curitiba (PR). Researcher in the areas of Innovation, Digital Transformation in Companies and Governments.

  • Fábio Freitas Schilling Marquesan, Universidade de Fortaleza (UNIFOR)

    Adjunct Professor of the Postgraduate Program in Administration at the University of Fortaleza (PPGA/Unifor) since 2014. PhD in Administration (Concentration area: Organizational Studies) from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS/2013) with post-doctorate on the theme of Innovation for Agribusiness (UFRGS/2020). Master in Seed Science and Technology from the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel/2008); Bachelor in Administration from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM/2006); Specialist in Irrigated Rice Seed Production (UFPel/2003) and Agricultural Engineer (UFSM/2002)

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Published

2026-04-27

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2025): Revista Admpg

Section

Artigos

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Ednael Macedo Felix, Tatiane Betat Kohlrausch, Fábio Freitas Schilling Marquesan

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How to Cite

The entrepreneur by inheritance and his role in agribusiness in Rio Grande do Sul. ADMPG Journal, [S. l.], v. 15, n. 1, 2026. DOI: 10.5212/Admpg.v.15.23039.011. Disponível em: https://revistas.uepg.br/index.php/admpg/article/view/23039. Acesso em: 30 apr. 2026.

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