Research & Insights

With the current generation inheriting unparalleled wealth, the question of deploying “philanthropic and impact capital” becomes increasingly complex in the face of the challenges of closing the funding gap for societal needs. Family philanthropy plays a crucial role in navigating these complexities, as enterprise families have long played a role in tackling societal and environmental challenges. Yet, family philanthropy is more than charitable giving. It’s an opportunity to shape family legacy and influence through strategic investments in social causes, providing a platform for family members to express their values and contribute to meaningful change. In this project, we explore some of the primary challenges faced by family owners as they navigate philanthropy.

If you are interested in this topic or want to explore opportunities for your family or family business to take part in our research project, please get in touch with Luciana Lucena de Lima.

In today’s complex world, family offices play a pivotal role in safeguarding a family’s heritage and unity while preserving and growing generational wealth. While there is a lot of research and guidance available to investment professionals who work for/with family offices, there is a deficit of practical guidance for the wealth owners and family members themselves, including future inheritors in the next generation. Our research project aims to demystify family offices for newcomers by breaking down the design and setup process into simple, straightforward steps that any member of a family can contribute to. Well-established family offices will find a fresh take on strategies, methods, and practices that will help strengthen their office.

If you wish to participate in this research project, please contact Professor Peter Vogel, Director of the Global Family Business Center at IMD.

This research initiative explores the influential role of family businesses in driving economic growth across Asia, notably in India, Southeast Asia, and Korea, where over 60% of listed companies are family controlled. The project investigates the legacies of entrepreneurial founders and their next generations within their cultural and historical contexts, analyzing narrative sources to uncover successful mechanisms to future-proof business families. Led by Professor Marleen Dieleman, the project involves writing cases, articles, and sharing insights with family business owners. The project celebrates the inspiring business legacies that evolved in Asia’s high-growth markets while asking pertinent questions on the governance practices underlying them.

If you are interested in this topic please get in touch with Professor Marleen Dieleman, who holds the Peter Lorange Chair in Family Business.

Despite their widespread presence in the workplace and society in general, the impact of mental health conditions in family firms has received limited attention. This research project explores how business family members’ mental health conditions impact the dynamics within the family and ultimately the business itself. The aim of our project is to capture the prevalence of family owners mental health conditions and the associated consequences for family enterprises in a report and academic article.

This research project, led by Elizabeth Tetzlaff, Peter Jaskiewicz, and Peter Vogel is conducted in a collaboration with the Family Enterprise Legacy Institute at the Telfer School of Management in Ottawa (Canada).

If you wish to participate in this research project, please contact Professor Peter Vogel, Director of the Global Family Business Center at IMD.