IESE Prof. Edi Soler is a member of IESE’s Accounting and Control and Analysis of Business Problems Departments, as well as the academic director of the 4th annual Family Business Financial Forum, which will take place on May 7, 2026 on the Madrid campus. Family businesses have shown a distinctive ability to deliver growth, resilience […]
When trust breaks down: employee disputes in family firms
Co-author: Uzay Sezer This article was co-written by Uzay Sezer. Holder of a PhD in Business Administration and Management from Università Bocconi, his research explores family firms, corporate governance and incentive designs. On March 16, IESE’s Madrid campus welcomed renowned scholars, business leaders and investors for the 2026 IESE CCG-ESGI Conference, “Family Firms: Purpose, Economic Performance […]
Why family businesses should develop people, not just create wealth
Co-author: Carlos Folle Professor of marketing and family business at IEEM Escuela de Negocios at the Universidad de Montevideo whose areas of expertise include go-to-market strategy and the governance, ownership and succession of family businesses. Much has been written about the symbiotic relationship between the family and the business. When scholars and advisors describe the […]
When meritocracy meets bloodlines: the family business succession trap
Our next CEO will be chosen based on capability. We’re professionalizing our leadership. In our company, board seats are earned. Statements like these are common in the realm of family-owned firms, signalling how strongly they value the language of merit. Yet the lived reality often tells a different story: appointments seem predetermined, performance standards become […]
Deloitte “Defining the family business landscape” report
A recent Deloitte survey of 1,587 senior leaders from family-owned firms with at least USD 100 million in revenue provides compelling insights on their approach to growth, governance and long-term sustainability. The report also draws on interviews with 30 experienced leaders, who share how their family firms are navigating uncertainty and planning for the future. […]