The 19th EIASM Workshop on Family Firm Management Research drew academics worldwide to Barcelona on September 30 and October 1, 2024. Co-organized by the Global Family Business Initiative (TBFI), the Esade Entrepreneurship Institute (EEI) and the Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership (CeFEO) at Jönköping International Business School, the workshop was hosted at Esade and focused on “Nurturing Responsible Owners in Purpose-Driven Business Families”.

• Discover more about the workshop
• The pictures of the workshop

With family enterprises representing a significant portion of businesses globally, this annual workshop provides a critical platform for exploring how these organizations can balance tradition, innovation, and responsibility in a rapidly evolving world.

The event reinforced the importance of responsible ownership and sustainability in family businesses by combining plenary sessions with break-out sessions and informal activities. The workshop provided an engaging platform for researchers to present their work, receive feedback, and build valuable networks on sixteen different tracks over the two days of the workshop. The featured keynote speeches by distinguished scholars:

• “Responsible Ownership in a Global and Digital World” with Ruth Aguilera, Full Professor at D'Amore-McKim School of Business (Northeastern University) and visiting Professor at Esade Business School. A subject that resonates in an era of shifting economic and societal norms. 
• “Organizational Purpose: A New Lens to Understand Family Business and Enterprising Families” with Giovanna Campopiano (Associate Professor at the University of Bergamo) dissected emphasizing the importance of aligning family values with business objectives. 
• “Pathways & Seasons of an Academic Career in the Family Business Field” with Pramodita Sharma (Schlesinger-Grossman Chair of Family Business at the Grossman School of Business -University of Vermont​-. A reflective look addressing the milestones and challenges of researching this dynamic domain.

Celebrating Research Excellence

As a cornerstone of the workshop, several awards recognized standout contributions to family business research:

• Best Contribution to Practice Award (Sponsored by WIFU-Stiftung): “Maintaining the Family’s Social Legacy over Generations: The Influence of Primary Socialization on Family Business Owners” By: R. Stedehouder-Steenbeek, J.P.C. Rigtering, N.S. Bosma, and J.M.C. van Helvert-Beugels. 
• Best Paper on Conference Theme Award (Sponsored by Andbank): “The Importance of Purpose in Family Firms: A Purpose Statement Analysis” By: C. Benedetti, G.J. Mayer, and C. Wowerath. 
• Best Paper Award (Sponsored by CeFEO): “Reputation at Risk: The Influence of Stakeholder Mobilization for Family Firms” By: J. Neckebrouck, C. Scheef, and M. Elvira.

These papers tackle critical challenges, from safeguarding reputations to understanding how family values influence strategic decisions, providing practical insights for businesses and their advisors.

A Tribute to Leadership and Mentorship In a heartfelt moment, the workshop honoured Prof. Pramodita Sharma for her exceptional contributions to mentoring the next generation of researchers. Sharma’s work has left an indelible mark on the field, inspiring a wave of inquiry into how family businesses navigate generational shifts and societal expectations.

The Team Behind the Event

Co-chairs Prof. Maria José Parada (Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Strategy and General Management at Esade Business School), Prof. Massimo Baù (Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership at the Jönköping University), and Prof. Kajsa Haag (Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership at the Jönköping University) guided the workshop's success. The Esade Entrepreneurship Institute and the Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership (CeFEO) at Jönköping International Business School co-organized it.

This collaboration between leading institutions highlights the growing importance of interdisciplinary and international approaches to family business research.

Why It Matters

Family businesses form the backbone of many economies, yet their unique structures and challenges often go underexamined. Workshops like this one put the focus on the strategies that enable these businesses to thrive across generations. Whether it’s managing reputation risks, articulating purpose, or adapting to digital transformation, the research presented in Barcelona is set to influence both academic thought and real-world practice.

As family firms continue to evolve, balancing legacy with innovation, this workshop reaffirmed their critical role in shaping a sustainable and inclusive economic future.