Research agenda
Cutting-edge research in family business
Our agenda began with a survey of 155 UK family firms to identify aspects of family firm culture and leadership. This has since been augmented by case studies, surveys, in-depth interviews and roundtable discussions, as well as the development of a new tool for family business research and consultancy.
Our research projects include:
- Survey of UK family businesses
- The next generation and emotional ownership in family firms
- Family Climate Scales
- Critical Leader Relationships
- Co-preneurs
- Family Business Leadership Inquiry
- Case studies of family firms
- The role of advisors in family firms
- Leadership in Asian UK family businesses
Critical Leader Relationships and Co-preneurs
We aim to capture a theme that is neglected in the literature on leadership, but which is highly significant in family businesses: shared leadership. There is no dedicated literature on the subject, and the concept is unfamiliar to most non-family firms. Our most recent focus is on husband and wife teams who run a business together. What makes these couples effective? What challenges do they face?
The next generation in family firms
This stream of research addresses issues faced by the next generation in family businesses. In-depth interviews and a large-scale international survey has produced ground-breaking findings and insights in this area, such as the concept of Emotional Ownership and the divide between "insiders" and "outsiders" in this group.
Family Climate Scales
The Family Climate Scales is a psychometric device that describes family climate and dynamics. It can be used as a developmental or research tool in family firms. Contact us to use this tool in your research or consultancy. abjornberg@london.edu
Family Business Leadership
Leaders from eight prominent UK family firms were invited to a series of roundtable discussions on family business leadership. The findings are published in our book 'Family Business Leadership Inquiry'.
Case studies of family firms
We are gathering longitudinal and short-term data to create case studies.
The role of advisors in family firms
A web-based survey describing family firm advisors, their client firms and the typical challenges they face. In association with the Family Firm Institute (FFI).
Leadership in UK Asian Family Businesses
This pilot project, conducted in collaboration with Dr Manfusa Shams at the Open University England, replicates the original LIFBRI survey of family firms, with a focus on specific cultural aspects of Asian firms in the UK.
Books
Family Wars
A rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of some of the biggest family-run companies in the world - and how family in-fighting has threatened to bring about their downfall.
Emotional Ownership - The Critical Pathway Between the Next Generation and the Family Firm - A unique bond exists between young family business members and their business, independently of financial ownership. What causes this bond? What are its consequences? Featuring over 900 respondents from 67 countries.
Ready, Willing and Able? The Next Generation in Family Business
What issues do next generation members really face in their businesses? Based on eight UK family business cases, this book explores family firms from the next generation's point of view.
The Family Business Leadership Inquiry
Eight prominent family businesses leaders in the UK give frank insights into what it's like to lead a family business.
To buy these books, email the Institute for Family Business at info@ifb.org.uk