Publications

Research Summary

Overview

By: Christina R. Wing

Multi-generational wealth creation through family businesses and family offices. Leadership throughout the chapters of your life. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Leadership; Succession Planning

February 2009 (Revised April 2011)
Module Note

Financing Growth in Family and Closely Held Firms

By: Belen Villalonga

This note describes the second of four modules in Financial Management of Family and Closely Held Firms, an elective MBA course at Harvard Business School. The note analyzes the pros and cons of different equity financing options that are available to family firms such... View Details

Keywords: Corporate Finance; Business Growth and Maturation

05 Apr 2013
News

Gift to Harvard Business School Funds New Professorship on Gender, Work, Career, and Family

July 2005
Case

Family Governance at the Cousin Consortium Stage

By: John A. Davis and Courtney Sampson

Explains the governance system for the Eddy family, who own the Port Blakely Companies. Provides the viewer with an inside look at the running of the family council and family assembly meetings. Also provides a brief history and overview of the forestry and real estate... View Details

Keywords: Conferences; Corporate Entrepreneurship; Corporate Governance; Business History; Business or Company Management; Family Ownership

13 Aug 2014
Lessons from the Classroom

Managing the Family Business: Entrepreneurs Needed for Long-Run Success

In the world of family business, the entrepreneurs we celebrate are usually founders of companies. These clever, hardworking individuals identify a good business opportunity, scrape together some money and... View Details

Keywords: by Michael J. Roberts

July 24, 2013
Article

Family Business: How to Spot a Patriarch Problem

By: Josh Baron and Rob Lachenauer

In this article, the authors discuss the concept of a "problem patriarch" in family businesses, using the example of Carl, a successful leader who undermined the talent he hired. Carl started a struggling $10 million automotive parts distributor and turned it into a $2... View Details

Keywords: Leadership Style; Family Business; Transition

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01 Feb 1999
News

All in the Family

Taste of Tradition—Kenzaburo Mogi & Kikkoman The Pellegrin drama, the topic of a 1998 HBS case study, illustrates that the family company, given its multilayered complexity, is not your typical business... View Details

Keywords: Marguerite Rigoglioso

February 2002
Background Note

Working With Relatives in the Family Firm

Describes some of the difficulties of working with one's relatives in the family firm, especially with one's brother(s). Examines some of the reasons for the difficulties and proposes ways of dealing with them. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Family and Family Relationships; Problems and Challenges

October 2001 (Revised November 2001)
Case

Blethen Family and the Seattle Times Company (A), The

By: John A. Davis and Cathy Quinn

Frank Blethen, the fourth-generation publisher of The Seattle Times, ponders the challenges facing this family business. This case reviews the long history of this business and family and asks whether family ownership and management are in the interests of both the... View Details

Keywords: History; Management; Business or Company Management; Family Business; Family and Family Relationships; Family Ownership; Problems and Challenges; Journalism and News Industry; Media and Broadcasting Industry

23 Apr 2024
News

Christina Wing: The Art of Having Difficult Conversations in the Family Business

08 May 2015
News

Continuing a family legacy

After gaining experience in a variety of industries, Angela A. Chao (AB 1995, MBA 2001) joined the family shipping business, where she is growing the business in new ways. (Published May 2015) View Details

18 Dec 2018
Blog Post

Finding Your Family at HBS

Let’s be real, I had many concerns coming to Harvard Business School. I am in my 30s; would I feel old? I am a veteran; would I feel lost? I am a language major; would I pass finance? I am married and we’re long distance; would I feel... View Details

January 8, 2016
Article

When You’ve Made Enough Money to Cause Family Tension

By: Josh Baron, Rob Lachenauer and Diane Coutu

This article discusses the transition successful business founders face when moving from intense business focus to managing significant wealth in their "Second Act." It highlights the shift towards creating a family enterprise, requiring shared financial... View Details

Keywords: Wealth; Family Business; Management Succession; Transition; Family and Family Relationships

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October 2010
Background Note

Family Corporate Governance: A Brief Literature Review

By: Lena G. Goldberg and David Kiron

This note discusses competing theories of governance in family owned firms and focuses on agency theory, stewardship theory, and the sociological concept of embeddedness. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Corporate Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards; Managerial Roles; Family Ownership; Theory

Program

Rising Generation in the Family Enterprise

Summary As a member of a family with a significant business legacy, you may feel both incredibly lucky and weighed down with responsibility. How can you best deploy your talents, capabilities, and resources?... View Details

18 Nov 2011
Conference Presentation

The Role of the University in the Development of the Family Business Field

By: John A. Davis

Keywords: Family Business; Higher Education; Growth and Development

July 1999
Background Note

Management Development Plan In A Family Business, The

By: John A. Davis

Defines management development objectives for family members employed in their family business. Outlines a process of putting these individuals on a career path to provide them with needed developmental experiences while respecting the broader needs of the... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Goals and Objectives; Management Practices and Processes; Organizations; Leadership Development; Experience and Expertise