BUSINESS AND FAMILY
BUSINESS AND FAMILY
As business families grow, they can turn into multiple groups or large dynastic family associations. How do you include them all? read moreSUCCESSION
SUCCESSION
This topic focuses on corporate succession and all its implications for revenue and inheritance tax as well as for upbringing. read moreBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
How can a family business be steered in all its facets? This is where everything relating to corporate management is discussed. read moreFAMILY BUSINESSES IN SOCIETY
FAMILY BUSINESSES IN SOCIETY
Family businesses are firmly rooted in society. How can family businesses from different cultural backgrounds collaborate successfully with each other? read moreCRISES & CONFLICTS
CRISES & CONFLICTS
Business before family? Or family before business? The focus here is on the dynamics and influence of the family on the business. read moreDIGITALISATION & TECHNOLOGY
DIGITALISATION & TECHNOLOGY
New technologies play a key role. How do family businesses position themselves to succeed in the age of digitalisation? read moreLONGEVITY
LONGEVITY
In this topic, the focus is on transgenerational aspects and the part they play in the longevity of family businesses. We look at the mechanisms planned and used to create sustainable businesses. read moreWEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
WEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
The WIFU research area for wealth psychology and transgenerational wealth management focuses on the essential aspects of transgenerational wealth management in family businesses. read moreFOLLOW THE WIFU FOUNDATION
In our social media channels, you will find notices about our events and publications. We would be delighted if you follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.
PRACTICAL EXCHANGE FOR FAMILY BUSINESSES
The mission of the Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU) is to systematically and theoretically research the specific challenges that family businesses face, to gain a deeper understanding of them and to feed this understanding back into practice. We organise regular intensive discussion sessions in a protected environment, covering sensitive themes such as leadership roles, succession, conflict, crisis management, shareholder identity and the mechanisms of family management. We offer platforms with and without moderation so that family businesses and business families can meet and discuss experiences, successes and challenges on an equal footing.
SUCCESSORS IN
FAMILY BUSINESSES
The NextGen are the family entrepreneurs and managers of the future. By offering a platform for exchange between like-minded people, we network successors with each other and supply theoretical models for long-lasting, successful family businesses. Our key aim is to stimulate appreciation and responsibility for entrepreneurship.
RESEARCH ON FAMILY BUSINESSES
A centre for both experienced and young researchers, the WIFU is an initiator that provides access to the family entrepreneurship field and supports projects that develop this research area. We show junior researchers that their courage to be different is an opportunity. Our unique combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches with a clear link to practice is the best reason to pursue an academic career at the WIFU. The long-term relationships we are building between the Institute, the Foundation and our researchers are characterised by close and intensive interactions.
WIFU SPONSORS (SELECTION)
The WIFU Foundation is currently supported by approximately 80 family businesses.
Through their involvement and commitment, this group enable the WIFU’s research and training on family businesses and business families.
- Family businesses
- Business family
- Shareholder expertise
- Family strategy
- Family constitution
- Family business governance
- ‘Mittelstand’ – medium sized German businesses
- Succession
LIBRARY
From best practice guides to studies, all of the WIFU’s publications are available to download from our library for free.
