Shanker, Melissa Carey <br/><br/>
Myths and realities 
family businesses' contribution to the US economy -  a frame 
 -  1996 
 - 107 - 123 
<br/><br/> This article presents a framework for assessing  commonly accepted family business statistics, based on the criteria used to define a family business. Using existing research from multiple fields and sources, a range is extrapolated for the total number of family businesses in the US, their contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment.