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Family Business

Family Business Research and Knowledge

THINK THINK

Research and publications on family businesses

We deepen the understanding of family businesses through interdisciplinary research — governance, succession, and societal impact. Our academic publications are made accessible to all, fostering reflection and informing public debate.

Latest Publication - Family Governance: A Pillar of Economic Sovereignty

Cécile de Lisle and Philippe Pelé-Clamour examine the role of family businesses in strengthening local economies and economic sovereignty, and propose ways to better recognize family governance in public policy.

Download the Policy Paper (FR)

Practitioner Insights from Academic Research

The HEC Paris Family Business Center provides executive summaries of academic research conducted by professors during their tenure at HEC Paris. These booklets translate scientific findings into practical insights for entrepreneurial families, offering both an overview of the studies and actionable takeaways.

UNLOCKING PARTNERSHIPS: WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?

 

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IS YOUR FAMILY NAME REALLY BRINGING YOU MONEY?

 

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CAN FAMILY CEOs IGNITE INNOVATION?

 

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CAN CULTURE EXPLAIN YOUR SUCCESS?

 

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CAN FAMILY FIRMS BE ‘BORN AGAIN GLOBAL’ ?

 

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CAN CROSS-CULTURAL CONTEXTS SHAPE FB SUCCESSION?

 

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CAN ‘GOOD CONVERSATIONS’ MAKE SUCCESSION SMOOTHER ? 

 

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IS SUCCESSION ABOUT LEGACY OR RECIPROCITY ? 

 

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ARE FAMILY FIRMS NETWORK ISLANDS OR BRIDGES?

 

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IS HR THE HIDDEN ENGINE OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN FAMILY FIRMS?

 

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CAN FAMILY FIRMS REALLY BE AMBIDEXTROUS?

 

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IS “PRUDENTIAL INNOVATION” THE FAMILY FIRM’S SECRET PLAYBOOK?

 

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SHAREHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ISN’T ENOUGH, YOU NEED SHAREHOLDER SUPPORTIVENESS

 

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BEYOND THE FOUNDER - HOW CAN A FAMILY BUSINESS KEEP THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FLAME ALIVE?

 

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HOW CULTURE SHAPES 

FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESSION

 

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HOW DO SOME FAMILY FIRMS INNOVATE ACROSS GENERATIONS?

 

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WHAT DETERMINES THE LONG TERM SUCCESS OF A FAMILY BUSINESS?

 

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Doctoral research projects

IS PURPOSE DRIVING YOUR DEALS?
 

 

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IDENTITY DIAGNOSTICITY AND STAKEHOLDER BACKLASH

 

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REDEFINING SELF BEYOND THE BUSINESS 

 

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Our studies and barometers

THE FAMILY BUSINESS PARADOX: BELOVED IN THEORY, RARE IN PRACTICE

 

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THE INSIDE-OUT PARADOX OF FAMILY BUSINESSES

 

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WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES A FAMILY SHAREHOLDER STAY ENGAGED?

 

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TRANSMISSION AS THE ULTIMATE ENTREPRENEURIAL ACT

 

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WHEN FAMILY VALUES SHAPE BUSINESS DECISIONS

 

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BEYOND THE LISTED FEW: HOW FAMILY FIRMS ACTUALLY SCORE ON ESG

 

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Contributions from Our Alumni

TRANSMETTRE SON ENTREPRISE — L'ACTE ENTREPRENEURIAL ULTIME

 

Download the white paper (FR)

GUIDING AND SUSTAINING FAMILY BUSINESS

 

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BUILDING ENDURING FAMILY FIRMS IN FRANCE

 

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FRANÇOIS MICHELIN AND INTEGRAL MANAGEMENT: WHAT CAN LEADERS LEARN?

 

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MANAGING FAMILY BUSINESS TRANSMISSION UNDER STRUCTURAL CONSTRAINTS

 

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FIVE KEY LESSONS FROM FAMILY FIRMS

 

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News

The making of responsible owners: a new article in Family Business Magazine

The HEC Paris Dieter Schwarz Foundation Center for Family Business is pleased to share a new article published in Family Business Magazine, one of North America's most influential practitioner outlets, by...

Mission-driven companies and family businesses: Maison Le Breton and CRISTEL share their journeys (webinar replay)

The HEC Paris Family Business Center co-organized, with HAATCH, Family & Co, FBN France and the Communauté des entreprises à mission, the second edition of a webinar exploring how family businesses view...

The Family Business Center Presents New Research at the IFERA 2026 Conference

From June 10 to 12, 2026, the Dieter Schwarz Foundation Family Business Center at HEC Paris took part in the annual conference of IFERA (International Family Enterprise Research Academy) in Naples, one of...

HEC Paris and TUM: A Joint Research Workshop on Family Enterprise

On May 18–19, 2026, part of our team traveled to Heilbronn for a two-day joint research workshop with the TUM Global Center for Family Enterprise. Two days of interdisciplinary exchange, new...

Transmission of French Family Businesses: A Lombard Odier Survey Conducted with HEC Paris Students

As part of a collaboration with students from the HEC Paris Junior Conseil, Lombard Odier has published a survey dedicated to French family businesses and their succession challenges. The study features a...

Mission-driven companies: how do family businesses engage?

A joint webinar bringing together key ecosystem players to explore governance, purpose and long-term value creation in family businesses.

New HBR publication from the Family Business Center : “When Shareholder Engagement Hurts More Than It Helps”

“There is a difference between being passive and being silent but supportive. A supportive family shareholder, even one who does not seek visibility, can be a real strength for the company.” — Dr Cécile...

[Report] The Roles and Contributions of the Family Shareholder

If engagement is energy, how is the shareholder engine broken down to enable a shareholder to become a true actor alongside the family business (operationally or not)? How does a family shareholder move...

Viavoice – HEC Paris – L’Express Barometer: 85% of French People See Family Businesses as an Asset for France

Conducted in September 2025 among 1,001 French citizens and 400 business leaders, the Viavoice – HEC Paris – L’Express Decision-Makers Barometer highlights the unique role of family businesses in the...