The Institute for Family Business dedicates itself to the empirical investigation of family businesses and business families with the aim to attain a better understanding of the functioning of these systems and how they mutually influence each other, as well to identify factors that make both systems successful.

In our research, we combine research-theoretical and practice-oriented approaches to actively shape the future viability of family businesses. Our research includes a broad range of management areas, like for example strategy & leadership, innovation & entrepreneurship, family governance & business governance, succession & next generation, or family business branding.

Thus, the Institute for Family Business is dedicated to basic and applied research. In the field of basic research, the institute contributes to the broadening and the deepening of knowledge on family businesses. Applied research of the institute focuses on the creation of knowledge applicable for the solution of practical problems.

In our work, we follow a multi- or interdisciplinary approach by cooperating with scholars from different academic fields (e.g., management, entrepreneurship, sociology, law and psychology).

We are actively involved in the national and international scientific discussion on family businesses through contributions to conferences and academic journals as well as cooperations with national and international family business institutions.

In addition to research, we disseminate our knowledge to students in regular courses on family business management as well as to current family business owners and managers and the next generation in those roles in regular workshops and events.