BUSINESS AND FAMILY
BUSINESS AND FAMILY
When a business family grows strongly, it can turn into multiple groups and large dynastic family associations. How do you include them all? read moreSUCCESSION
SUCCESSION
In this topic, corporate succession is the focus, with all its revenue and inheritance tax implications, and with all of its implications 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 used and planned to sustain a business into the future. read moreDO YOU HAVE A CONCRETE RESEARCH IDEA?
"Learning in the business family and development of shareholder competence", at Gebr. Heinemann, Hamburg
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In our social media channels, you will find the latest information, notices about our events, and videos about the Institute and our research. We would be delighted if you follow WIFU on Facebook, LinkedIn, Xing, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
CONFERENCE OF GERMAN-SPEAKING RESEARCH CENTRES AND INSTITUTES FOR FAMILY BUSINESSES
On the 2nd and 3rd of March 2020 the WIFU organises the 10th Conference of German-Speaking Research Centers and Institutes for Family Businesses (FIFU) at the Witten/ Herdecke University. Registration for the conference and the “Call for Papers” can be found here:
PRACTICAL EXCHANGE FOR FAMILY BUSINESSES
The Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU) sees its mission in systematically and theoretically researching the specific challenges that family businesses face, and to gain a deeper understanding of them, then 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, conflicts, crisis management, shareholder identity, mechanisms of family management and so on, and 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. We network successors with each other, and, as well as supplying theoretical models for long-lasting, successful family businesses we offer a platform for exchange between like-minded people. Our key aim is to stimulate an appreciation and responsibility for entrepreneurship.
RESEARCH ON FAMILY BUSINESSES
WIFU is a centre of experienced and young researchers. An initiator that provides access to the field and supports projects that develop the family entrepreneurship research area in academic life. 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 take up an academic career at WIFU. We build long-term relationships between the Institute, the Foundation, and our researchers, and these are characterised by close and intensive interactions.
WIFU SPONSORS (SELECTION)
The WIFU Foundation is currently supported by 75 family businesses.
Through their involvement and commitment, this group enable 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 WIFU’s publications are available to download from our library for free.
