Heterogeneity in family businesses: 5 key concepts

Family businesses are the backbone of many local and global economies as drivers of both employment and economic stability. However, categorizing them as a single, uniform group limits our understanding of the numerous complexities and nuances among them. Far from a homogeneous collective, family-owned firms can differ in fundamental ways that shape their governance, strategic…

What should companies expect from their family shareholders?

Last November, I offered some reflections regarding what family shareholders deserve from their family business. This article takes the opposite approach: what do family businesses deserve from their family shareholders? The answer is clear: responsible and efficient performance. As is often the case, this is easier said than done. Let's start with the essence of…

Sustainable Investing and ESG in a Polarized World

The broader global economic and political realignments result in the polarization of sustainable investing across regions. The U.S. is retreating from environment, social and governance (ESG) commitments, Europe faces increasing regulatory and political ambiguity, and China is capitalizing on this uncertainty to establish itself as the global leader in a green economy. This geopolitical fragmentation…