Family Business (LBS Exchange)

Family businesses make up about 70% of businesses worldwide and contribute significantly to global GDP. While many major corporations began as family businesses, the model is often overlooked in management literature despite its continued importance, especially in regions like Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. This course explores the advantages, challenges, and conflicts unique to family businesses, including governance, succession, and the relationship between family and business leadership. Students will examine the roles of key stakeholders such as owners, managers, and advisers. A central component of the course is a group project in which students analyze a family business and apply concepts from the course. While students with family business experience may choose to study their own organization, this is not required. The course combines practical insights with case studies, lectures, and guest speakers.