HARMONY OR DISSONANCE? START-UP INVESTMENTS AND FAMILY BUSINESSES
As part of this research project, Anne Heider is investigating, in cooperation with Nadine Kammerlander and Peter Nadolinski (both from WHU), the reasons for start-up investments by family businesses and their approach to integrating start-ups into their investment strategy. The project is also the dissertation project of Peter Nadolinski, who is a doctoral candidate under the supervision of Anne Heider and Nadine Kammerlander.
Against the background of the continuously growing number of family businesses investing in start-ups, the aim of this study is to answer the core questions “What motivates family businesses to invest in start-ups?” and “How do family businesses deal with possible dissonances to their fundamental risk attitude, control and long-term orientation in start-up investments?”. Already in the pilot phase of the study, exciting observations were made about the complexity of motivations and initial situations of different family businesses for start-up investments, which will now be deepened and expanded together with the participants of the study.
For this purpose, 8-10 family businesses, start-ups and venture capital funds will each be interviewed as part of a qualitative multi-case study in order to better understand the “why” and “how” of start-up investments by family businesses. Ideally, several people in the company and family are interviewed for this purpose in order to capture multiple perspectives. The information collected will be treated 100% confidentially and with guaranteed anonymity.
Participants of the study will receive exclusive insights on the results of our study in a practice report.
Project participants
Peter Nadolinski, Dr. Anne Heider, Prof. Dr. Nadine Kammerlander
Contact
Do you have any questions or suggestions about this research project?
