Publications

July 1999 (Revised July 2007)
Background Note

Preparing Family Business Cases

By: John A. Davis

Advises students on how to prepare and discuss a family business case. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Business Education; Cases; Family Ownership; Research

August 2013 (Revised October 2013)
Case

Modern Family Planning: The Business of Circle Surrogacy

By: Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Blake Landro

The business of surrogacy, a boutique practice with client costs upwards of $100,000, allowed couples and individuals from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and sexual orientations to build families. This case examines Circle Surrogacy (CS), one of the premier surrogacy... View Details

Keywords: Family Planning; Platform; Competitive Advantage; Law; Globalization; Competitive Strategy; Digital Platforms; United States; Ukraine

Research Summary

Family Business Dynastic Success

Davis is also completing a several year study of successful family business dynasties, examining the management, ownership and family practices that help to perpetuate successful businesses and families. He is developing a book for Harvard University Press on this... View Details

January 15, 2015
Article

Surviving in a Family Business When You're Not Part of the Family

By: Josh Baron and Rob Lachenauer

Navigating office politics in a family-owned business can be challenging for non-family executives. Based on experience with various business families worldwide, this article offers strategies for success:

Play in your room: Non-family executives should... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Family and Family Relationships; Employees; Problems and Challenges; Talent and Talent Management

Register to Read

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

07 Apr 2014
News

Family Values

married for 40 years, and two of their sons graduated from HBS (William C., MBA 2002, and Terence, MBA 2013). The Margot and William F. Connell View Details

01 Mar 2023
News

Family Matters

Lailah Thompson-Woode (MBA 2021) with her children, Antonio and Yasmina Woode. Photo courtesy Lailah Thompson-Woode Lailah Thompson-Woode (MBA 2021) with her children, Antonio and Yasmina Woode. Photo courtesy Lailah Thompson-Woode As a middle schooler, Lailah... View Details

Keywords: April White

March 2007 (Revised October 2007)
Module Note

Negotiating Effectively in Family Business Systems

By: Deepak Malhotra and John A. Davis

Explores how families in business can apply five principles of negotiation that are used effectively by non-family members. The distinctive characteristics of family relationships and of family business systems--which affect the use of these principles--are described. View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Negotiation; Family Ownership

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

12 Nov 2001
Research & Ideas

The Three Components of Family Governance

strengthening business-family communication and bond. A family constitution—the family's policies and guiding vision and values that regulate... View Details

Program

Families in Business

Summary Family enterprises must strive for growth amidst fierce competition, an evolving marketplace, and demanding customers. But family enterprises also face a unique set of... View Details

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

18 Apr 2016
Blog Post

Meet the HBS Family Business Club

The mission of the Family Business Club (FBC) is to bring together students with family business backgrounds to facilitate discussions and conversations about their experiences... View Details

March 12, 2024
Editorial

Best Practices for Family Philanthropy

By: Christina R. Wing

Philanthropy is a key priority for many families, but when sitting down and considering where to start, the vast options can be overwhelming. Social impact is not supposed to be a chore, but rather something you and your family can appreciate and look forward to... View Details

Keywords: Philanthropy and Charitable Giving; Social Enterprise; Family Business; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact

October 1993
Article

Family Capitalism

By: G. Jones and Mary B. Rose

Keywords: Economic Systems; Family and Family Relationships

Find at Harvard

Web

Partners and Families - MBA

Partners & Families Partners & Families Student Perspective Ignacio Lartirigoyen, MBA 2020 Student Perspective Erin Kaivan, MBA 2020 Student Perspective LaToya Marc, MBA 2017 Student Perspective Revital... View Details

October 2020
Case

Genomics in the Family Office

By: Lauren Cohen, Ronnie Stangler and Spencer C. N. Hagist

Alice Anane is the member of a large, wealthy family that collectively operates a multi-pronged family business in Israel. Upon discovering partway into her pregnancy that the rapidly degenerative brain disease her father succumbed to now threatens her and potentially... View Details

Keywords: Family Business; Health Disorders; Strategic Planning; Corporate Governance