'Zellweger has written a wide-ranging, thorough and very readable examination of the family business. His discussions of governance, succession planning, financial management, and conflict resolution draw on over 40 years of research, with relevant case studies that provoke discussion and reflection. His overview of cultural differences in families and in family businesses shows his grounded perspective. This text will provide a strong educational foundation for students and proactive family business owners alike.' - John A. Davis, Harvard Business School 'One of the top international researchers in the family business field, a celebrated instructor, and a thoughtful practitioner, Thomas Zellweger succeeded in the daunting task of writing a book on family enterprises that appeals to multiple audiences. By carefully identifying the themes that are crucial to family business continuity, and by connecting them through a multidisciplinary approach that is at the same time intellectually deep, practically relevant, and crystal clear, the author does full justice to the complexity of family firms, and to their vital role in our economies and societies.' - Carlo Salvato, Bocconi University, Italy This innovative textbook covers the most important challenges facing family businesses. Practice-inspired and research-based, it emphasizes both practice and theory along with concepts, cases and reflection questions to illustrate key topics. This text discusses the relevance of family firms across the globe, their unique strengths and weaknesses, their governance, strategic management, the succession process, drivers of long-term success and interpersonal dynamics. Taking a holistic and international perspective, the book combines management concepts, research findings, practical examples and case studies to provide a unique source of insight and inspiration for students and practitioners in the most prominent type of business organization in the world. This textbook's comprehensive coverage of topics and combination of didactical formats makes it ideal for students studying family firms, and a useful reference for professors, advisors, and practitioners as well.

'Zellweger has written a wide-ranging, thorough and very readable examination of the family business. His discussions of governance, succession planning, financial management, and conflict resolution draw on over 40 years of research, with relevant case studies that provoke discussion and reflection. His overview of cultural differences in families and in family businesses shows his grounded perspective. This text will provide a strong educational foundation for students and proactive family business owners alike.' - John A. Davis, Harvard Business School 'One of the top international researchers in the family business field, a celebrated instructor, and a thoughtful practitioner, Thomas Zellweger succeeded in the daunting task of writing a book on family enterprises that appeals to multiple audiences. By carefully identifying the themes that are crucial to family business continuity, and by connecting them through a multidisciplinary approach that is at the same time intellectually deep, practically relevant, and crystal clear, the author does full justice to the complexity of family firms, and to their vital role in our economies and societies.' - Carlo Salvato, Bocconi University, Italy This innovative textbook covers the most important challenges facing family businesses. Practice-inspired and research-based, it emphasizes both practice and theory along with concepts, cases and reflection questions to illustrate key topics. This text discusses the relevance of family firms across the globe, their unique strengths and weaknesses, their governance, strategic management, the succession process, drivers of long-term success and interpersonal dynamics. Taking a holistic and international perspective, the book combines management concepts, research findings, practical examples and case studies to provide a unique source of insight and inspiration for students and practitioners in the most prominent type of business organization in the world. This textbook's comprehensive coverage of topics and combination of didactical formats makes it ideal for students studying family firms, and a useful reference for professors, advisors, and practitioners as well.

Introducing a new concept in family businesses Transgenerational Entrepreneurship addresses how these businesses achieve growth and longevity through entrepreneurial activities. It focuses on the resources, capabilities and mindsets that families develop and draw upon in order to be entrepreneurial across generations, and presents findings from an international research collaboration between family business researchers and practitioners. In addition to a comprehensive conceptual chapter, the editors include a unique set of empirical case-based research papers that investigates transgenerational entrepreneurship in different European contexts. They bring together and integrate frontier research on entrepreneurship and family business, as well as provide a basis for future research. Academics, teachers and students in business and management, entrepreneurship and family business will find this path-breaking book of value, as will libraries, policy makers and consultants.

Financial management in family businesses is a special challenge. CFOs in particular are often at the crossroads of various interests and roles. However, not least the public reticence of family businesses has so far ensured that there is a lack of knowledge about these interrelationships. A specialist circle of CFOs from large German-speaking family businesses is dedicated at the Center for Family Business at the University of St.Gallen (Switzerland) to discuss these issues . In this book, these experts share their wealth of knowledge and experience with the public for the first time. Along a five-step model, they shed light on key areas of responsibility that go far beyond mere financial management. They discuss issues of transparency and compliance, from performance and strategy to governance - and provide concrete suggestions for everyday business life. Whether manager, owner, or advisory board member, anyone who bears responsibility in a family business can benefit from this bridge between theory and practice.The CFO network fbxperts.ch has also been present internationally since 3 years: in Italy, Spain, France, UK and other locations.

Die finanzielle Fuhrung von Familienunternehmen unterliegt besonderen Anforderungen. Insbesondere die CFOs stehen dabei haufig im Brennpunkt verschiedener Interessen und Rollen. Gleichzeitig spielt der Finanzbereich eine grosse Rolle, wenn es darum geht, den Erfolg eines Familienunternehmens uber viele Jahrzehnte und mehrere Generationen hinweg zu sichern und Wege aufzuzeigen. Diese UEberlegungen haben dazu gefuhrt, dass sich am Center for Family Business der Universitat St. Gallen in den vergangenen Jahren ein Kreis von CFOs aus grossen deutschsprachigen Familienunternehmen gebildet hat. In diesem Buch teilen diese Experten ihren Wissens- und Erfahrungsschatz erstmals mit der OEffentlichkeit. Entlang eines Funf-Stufen-Modells beleuchten sie zentrale Aufgabenfelder, die weit uber das blosse Finanzmanagement hinausgehen. Sie diskutieren Fragen der Transparenz und Compliance, von Performance und Strategie bis hin zur Governance - und geben konkrete Anregungen fur den unternehmerischen Alltag. Ob Manager, Eigentumer oder Beirat: Von diesem Bruckenschlag zwischen Theorie und Praxis kann jeder profitieren, der im Familienunternehmen Verantwortung tragt.