Research Framework

SCOPE

The scope of IFBRF research is to analyse and understand family-owned businesses, their impact on the economy and society, and the challenges that they face.

IFBRF research activity focuses on medium-sized and large multigenerational family firms and falls into four main areas:

1. DEFINING AND CHARACTERISING FAMILY BUSINESSES

• Understanding family firm diversity and identifying what makes family businesses different in terms of their purpose, values and goals; ownership and governance arrangements; and how they manage generational transitions.

2. THE EFFECTS OF FAMILY OWNERSHIP ON THE BUSINESS

• Understanding the effects of family ownership on governance, strategy, entrepreneurship, management and performance.

• Identifying the factors that influence the success and long-term sustainability of family businesses, and developing evidence-based solutions to the challenges that they face.

3. THE IMPACT OF FAMILY BUSINESSES ON THE ECONOMY AND SOCIETY 

• Identifying and assessing the impact of family businesses on the economy and society.

4. THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT POLICY ON FAMILY BUSINESS 

• Analysing and evaluating how Government policies affect family businesses.