Publications

Find at Harvard

August 2006 (Revised July 2007)
Background Note

Governance of the Family Business Owners

By: John A. Davis

Reviews the principal ways in which the owners of a family business achieve their governance objectives of a suitable identity and sensible direction and the discipline to achieve these. Covers the responsibilities and rights of owners, plus governance procedures,... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Corporate Governance; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Goals and Objectives; Family Ownership

August 2006 (Revised July 2007)
Background Note

Fundamentals of Family Business System Governance

By: John A. Davis

Reviews the purposes and ingredients in the governance (or steering) of a family business system. Explores at a high level the governance of the family business, its owners, and the family. Focuses on how these governance structures, processes, plans, and agreements... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Corporate Governance; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Family Ownership

2007
Preface

Preface

By: John A. Davis

July 2002
Teaching Note

Anderson Steel Service, Inc., TN

By: John A. Davis

Teaching Note for (9-899-011). View Details

Keywords: Steel Industry

Web

Digital Archival Resources - Georges F. Doriot : Educating Leaders, Building Companies, Baker Library, Harvard Business School

Yardsticks of Management , 1952 John G. Bowes; William K. Bowes, Jr.; Charles W. Gardiner; Robert M. Halperin; Robert G. Hooker, Jr.; Franklin P. Johnson, Jr.; Bradford K. Kroha; Michael A. Loeb; William Sarnoff. MBA Students... View Details

Web

Digital Archival Resources - Georges F. Doriot : Educating Leaders, Building Companies, Baker Library, Harvard Business School

Yardsticks of Management , 1952 John G. Bowes; William K. Bowes, Jr.; Charles W. Gardiner; Robert M. Halperin; Robert G. Hooker, Jr.; Franklin P. Johnson, Jr.; Bradford K. Kroha; Michael A. Loeb; William Sarnoff. MBA Students... View Details

01 Dec 2015
News

@Soldiers Field

Six drone companies put their wares in the air during Making Robotics Fly, a daylong event cohosted by HBS and the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to explore the intersection of engineering and entrepreneurship.... View Details

January 2009
Case

Wolf Elmore Brewer, Inc.

By: John A. Davis

This case describes how Alex Wolf, the founder of a small architecture and urban planning firm based in Portland, Oregon, decides to offer partnership to two trusted colleagues, and then how strains develop in their relationship. It asks what can be done to improve... View Details

Keywords: Business Startups; Interpersonal Communication; Entrepreneurship; Partners and Partnerships; Conflict Management

Find at Harvard

July 2007 (Revised September 2007)
Background Note

Compensating Family Employees in a Family Business

By: John A. Davis

Explores the core issues involved in compensating family employees in a family business. Explains family interests and other factors that shape family employee compensation practices. Distinguishes between achieving effective compensation practices, which help to... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Employees; Compensation and Benefits

August 2006 (Revised July 2007)
Background Note

Governance of the Family Business

By: John A. Davis

Reviews the ways to achieve governance of the family business. Points out the importance of plans (e.g., strategic plans), statements (e.g., mission statements), policies, rules, and agreements to the governance process. Discusses the roles of three structures in... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Corporate Governance; Governing and Advisory Boards; Management Teams; Mission and Purpose

August 2006 (Revised July 2007)
Background Note

Governance of the Business Family

By: John A. Davis

Explains the purposes, processes, standards, plans, and agreements that together help to govern (or steer) a family that owns a family business. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Corporate Governance; Governing Rules, Regulations, and Reforms; Family Ownership

June 2005 (Revised May 2006)
Background Note

Reminders for Owner-Managers Regarding the Board of Directors of Private Companies

By: John A. Davis

Presents a consolidated list of corporate governance best practices for owner-managers of private companies, including family businesses. View Details

Keywords: Governing and Advisory Boards; Family Business

June 2005 (Revised June 2007)
Background Note

Introduction to Management of the Family Business

By: John A. Davis

Provides an overview to the content and structure of the Management of the Family Business course. View Details

Keywords: Family Ownership; Business or Company Management

Find at Harvard

February 2004 (Revised April 2004)
Exercise

Family Business Ownership Goals Worksheet

By: John A. Davis

Family members who either own a business or who could inherit ownership in a business are helped to clarify how they would like to have the business owned in the future. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Family Ownership; Decision Making

July 2001 (Revised September 2001)
Background Note

Definitions and Typologies of the Family Business

By: John A. Davis

Introduces students to the wide variety of family business definitions in literature today. Also reviews prominent typologies of family business systems. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Body of Literature; System