The mission of the Family Business Division is to promote awareness and understanding of family business in both the academic and professional service sectors. Family Businesses are defined as those whose strategic and tactical decisions are significantly influenced by the core values of the business-owning family(ies). The division’s focus is on the dissemination of knowledge through academic research and teaching, the development of “best practices” for professionals within the field, and the ongoing education, networking and recognition of family business program directors in an effort to ensure the continued growth, success of their Centers. It is the intent to integrate those interested in research, teaching and the dissemination of knowledge through program centers.

We support theoretical, conceptual, and empirical research on all spectrums (hard and soft topics) of family businesses. This includes topical areas such as:

• The Intersection of Business and Family Systems
• Management & Strategic Planning
• Ownership and Governance
• Tax Planning
• Professionalizing the family business
• Boards of Directors
• Succession
• Growth
• Psychological Issues
• Change & Conflict
• Family Relations
• Women in Family Firms
• The Younger Generation
• Culture

Our teaching priorities focus on the improvement and expansion of curricula and pedagogy at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Our priorities for Forums/Centers include:

• Program Planning
• Fundraising/Program Support
• Marketing the Program (Recruitment/Promotion)
• Member Retention
• Institutionalizing the Center/Program
• Networking Opportunities

Read the results of the American Family Business Survey, conducted by the George & Robin Raymond Family Business Institute and MassMutual Financial Group.

Read the latest Raymond Report including an article regarding co-CEOs.

Division Officers - 2007

VP:  David Hayes, University of Notre Dame, hayes.37@nd.edu

Division History
2006 VP: Don Bradley, University of Central Arkansas
2005 VP:Shawn Carraher, Cameron University
2004 VP: Kim Fujiuchi, University of Hawaii
2003 VP: Clark Hammond, Brigham Young University
2002 VP: Ramona Heck, Cornell University
2001 VP: Annika Sieler, University of Southern California
2000 VP: Richard Dino, University of Connecticut
1999 VP: Sandra King, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
1998 VP: Michael Camp, Kauffman Foundation*
1997 VP: George Solomon, George Washington University*
1996 VP: Joyce Brockhaus, The Brockhaus Group*
1995 VP: Karen Wigginton, James Madison University*
1994 VP: Frank Hoy, University of Texas-El Paso*

* Combined with Small Business Division until 1999.