I doubt they can be an asset, they are bound to be myopic in a new country, what research said about their success in international markets ?

Fair point there Dr Butt, however research does show that family ownership can be powerful mechanism to guard against institutional voids.

Family ownership provides a unique quality of resilience in a new market for any business. If internationalizing a business means starting operations in a country with unique institutions (the formal and informal aspects of a community) that have a bearing on business outcomes, then family ownership is a bit of an asset. 

I would expect a family business to respond more promptly to market situations. For example, they should not operate when there is a more than even chance to run losses for a considerable time. This reservation contrasts with the verily optimistic and bureaucratic boards and directors of non-family ventures.