Relationship Conflicts in Changing Business Families in India and Germany

Business families experience conflicts among family members, often in connection with the role of the business in family communication. These conflicts threaten the continuation of the family business and peaceful family life. However, business families do not exist without context. They have histories and cultural environments that influence conflicts and conflict management methods. In this study, conflicts in Indian and German owning families are compared with a focus on distinctive historical and cultural developments. The direct comparison of these very different family systems offers the owning families in both countries the opportunity to reflect on their connecting factors as well as existing and new conflict management methods.