The Sika takeover battle

In family businesses, philanthropy is no longer an occasional gesture ‘from the heart’ left to the initiative of a few, but a deliberate and shared choice that strengthens cohesion, identity and the ability to generate impact. In other words, the ...

Family businesses are the backbone of the Italian economy, accounting for around 85% of all companies. Despite their importance, they face a challenge in generational transition that is so critical that it has given rise to common beliefs that hav...

The first quarter of the 21st century has seen significant advancements in family business scholarship. While many scholars have sought to develop a singular “theory of the family firm,” most research has instead focused on understanding how salie...

Family-run companies have unique challenges—balancing family interests with the goals of investors and the company itself. Yet there is not enough clarity on how this affects performance in different countries. We wanted to fill that gap. Our work...

What differentiates the families who thrive for generations from those who fade within decades? From our work at the IMD Global Family Business Center and the experiences of hundreds of family enterprises worldwide, we’ve identified a set of k...

Across various European regions, particularly in areas rich in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), we find vibrant networks of family firms that contribute to both economic vitality and social resilience. These entrepreneurial ecosystem...