Using the Data Envelopment Analysis technique, this article analyzes the efficiency of the capital structure and operating profit of family companies included on the 500 largest companies in Brazil, in accordance with Exame magazine's “Biggest and Best of 2005”. The research methodology used was descriptive relational, of a survey with a quantitative approach. Of the 175 companies with Brazilian shareholder control, 59 responded to the questionnaire confirming their status as family companies, either in the form of limited companies or other societies. Removing the limited companies, the final sample was made up of 39 companies. The results showed that with relation to the capital structure, the first and third generation used more of their own capital than from outside sources. The profit and the profitability are greater in the third generation. The data envelopment analysis indicated three companies in each generation as the most efficient. It was concluded from the companies analyzed that the third generation showed more efficiency in the variables analyzed.
Capital structure; operational profit; efficiency; data envelopment analysis; family companies
