Family Business

Family Business

Management & Society

Since the founding of the Family Business Centre at the MCI in 2016, practical projects have been carried out in close cooperation with family businesses in order to sustainably secure and further increase the economic strength of these owner-managed companies.

Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer | Head of Family Business Center Center for Family Enterprise
Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita ZehrerHead of Family Business Center
+43 512 2070 - 7100

If you have any questions regarding this research area, please contact us:

familybusiness@mci.edu

Succession

Research into succession in family businesses focuses on analysing strategies and mechanisms for the successful transfer of management and ownership. Key questions include identifying successors, analysing transition processes and assessing the impact on business performance and family relationships. Both individual factors such as the abilities and motivation of successors and structural aspects such as governance models and corporate culture are taken into account.

Family Governance

Research on family governance aims to develop and analyse governance systems to manage the complex relationship between family and business. It looks at issues of power distribution, decision-making and conflict resolution within the family and between family members and external stakeholders. An interdisciplinary approach integrates insights from management, sociology and psychology to identify and develop effective governance structures.

Family Identity

Family identity research is concerned with analysing the symbolic and narrative elements that shape the unique identity of a family business. Here, rituals, stories and shared values are regarded as central objects of investigation in order to understand the cohesion within the family and its influence on the family business. Qualitative methods such as interviews and case studies are used to explore the dynamic processes of identity formation and transformation.

Next Generation

Research on the Next_Gen in family businesses focuses on the development and integration of young family members into the management of the business and the family legacy. Questions of individual development, the transfer of entrepreneurial skills and coping with role expectations are analysed. A systemic approach takes into account the interactions between family, business and societal contexts in order to identify successful strategies for promoting the next generations.

 

 

Further research areas
Research & Transfer Centers
Team
Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer | Head of Family Business Center Center for Family Enterprise
Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita ZehrerHead of Family Business Center
+43 512 2070 - 7100
Marvin Assenmacher, MSc | Doctoral Student Center for Family Enterprise
Marvin Assenmacher, MScDoctoral Student
+43 512 2070 - 7143
Dr. Birgit Bosio | Lecturer Master's Program Entrepreneurship & Tourism
Dr. Birgit BosioLecturer
+43 512 2070 - 3327
Denise Fecker, MSc | Lecturer Bachelor's program Tourism Business Studies
Denise Fecker, MScLecturer
+43 512 2070 - 3343
Mag. Gundula Glowka, PhD | Lecturer Bachelor's program Management, Communication & IT
Mag. Gundula Glowka, PhDLecturer
+43 512 2070 - 3534
Stefanie Haselwanter, BA MA | Lecturer Bachelor's program Tourism Business Studies
Stefanie Haselwanter, BA MALecturer
+43 512 2070 - 3342
Dr. Leena Kasbekar | Senior Lecturer International Relations
Dr. Leena KasbekarSenior Lecturer
+43 512 2070 - 1625
Mag. (FH) Florian Sexl, BA MSc MBA | Doctoral Student Center for Family Enterprise
Mag. (FH) Florian Sexl, BA MSc MBADoctoral Student
+43 512 2070 - 7142
Prof. Dr. Teresa Spieß | Organizational Psychology & Change Management Bachelor's program Management, Communication & IT
Prof. Dr. Teresa SpießOrganizational Psychology & Change Management
+43 512 2070 - 3525
Asst. Prof. Mag. Desiree Wieser, PhD | Lecturer Bachelor's program Nonprofit, Social & Health Care Management
Asst. Prof. Mag. Desiree Wieser, PhDLecturer
+43 512 2070 - 3735
Projects

ULYSSES Ulysses Contest – Digital Student Competition on Family Business
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2021 - 2023

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Katharina Beckert, MSc

Valerie Nickel, BSc BSc MSc

Ass. FH-Prof. Mag. Desiree Wieser, PhD
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
The need for acquiring entrepreneurial and digital competences is not limited to learners seeking careers as commercial entrepreneurs or as employees within the IT sector, but rather extends to "all walks of life" as EU policy makers have repeatedly emphasized [1,2,3,4]. Consequently, the importance of entrepreneurship education (EE) and digital education (DE) as integral part within university studies has been prioritised in recent years [4,5]. Despite those recognised needs on the policy side, attention given to EE and DE in higher education (HE) programmes still remains rather elusive [6,7]. In fact, the Covid 19 pandemic merciless shows that DE, in particular, requires a place at the nucleus of academia and cannot be dealt with as side issue at the dawn of the digital age [4]. Ultimately, existing shortcomings with regards to EE and DE within HE causes a sub-optimal exploitation of entrepreneurial potentials as well as a substandard deployment of digital technologies at later stage of careers (in academia or world of work outside HE). Our project "Ulysses Contest - Digital Student Competition on Family Business" (ULYSSES) has been designed to address these deficits. It focuses on university students that are keen to gather practical entrepreneurial learning experiences and want to enhance their digital skills. ULYSSES will provide this combined chance by setting up the 1st digital European student competition that focuses explicitly on family businesses (FB).

Strategische Positionierung – Analyse strategischer Optionen zur Stärkung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit touristischer Familienunternehmen
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2016 - 2019

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Ing. Mag. Martin Danler

Mag. Gundula Glowka, PhD

Ramona Pfeifer, BA MA

Valerie Nickel, BSc BSc MSc
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
Aim of the project is to conduct a basic research study appraising the status quo of the strategic positioning of family businesses in tourism, the analysis of problems and the development of a portfolio with strategic options for the respective family businesses. Based on the relevant problems for Tyrolean family-operated businesses in the tourism sector, solution approaches are formulated and released as strategic recommendations. Thus, the guidelines reveal the necessity of strategic planning and hands-on implications give example for its implementation, so that the study contributes to the support of the Tyrolean businesses' competitiveness. The project addresses the research question: Which strategic options emerge for touristic family businesses with respect to their competitiveness.

Familienunternehmen und Personalstrategien der Zukunft: Der Einfluss der Familie auf die Arbeitgeberattraktivität von Familienunternehmen
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2019 - 2022

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Dr. Teresa Spieß

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Valerie Nickel, BSc BSc MSc
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
The aim of the project is to find out conditions under which the communication of family involvement can have a positive or negative impact on the perceived attractiveness of Tyrolean family businesses. In addition, the influence of the potential applicants' individual differences in this regard will be examined. A special focus is set on the so-called generations Y and Z (born from 1980). In addition to a structured literature analysis, within the project qualitative and quantitative data will be collected, evaluated and interpreted in order to answer the central questions. Finally, recommendations for practice will be derived and made available. In particular, small and medium-sized Tyrolean family businesses will gain valuable information for their future personnel strategies, especially with regard to communicating family influence in employer branding processes. This information can help Tyrolean family businesses to recruit talented and well-educated employees of generations Y and Z on the labor market of the future and thus be prepared for the increasing digitization.

Anforderungen an das Risikomanagement in klein- und mittelbetrieblich strukturierten Familienunternehmen in Tirol
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2019 - 2020

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
Mag. Gundula Glowka, PhD

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Valerie Nickel, BSc BSc MSc
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
The TWF project analyses risk situation and awareness of family businesses in Tyrol. A lack of risk awareness is able to lead to negligence of a firm's risk management damaging the business performance in the medium run. The mixed method design gathers requirements for risk management of small and medium sized family businesses in Tyrol in order to detect possible negative consequences and to develop prevention strategies.

Nachfolgeplanung in familiengeführten Kleinunternehmen
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2019

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Valerie Nickel, BSc BSc MSc
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
This research project aims at analyzing strategic succession planning as well as success factors and barriers of succession processes in small family firms in Austria and Hong Kong by means of a qualitative research design. The elaboration of idealistic succession solutions shall raise the awareness of family firms and policy implications for subsidies and funds shall actively support the initializing of succession processes in small family-run businesses.

Der Faktor MitarbeiterInnen in touristischen Familienunternehmen – eine Status Quo Erhebung des Arbeitgeberimages am Beispiel der Tiroler Hotellerie und Gastronomie
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2018 - 2019

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Katrin Schwaiger, MA

Mag. Gundula Glowka, PhD

FH-Prof. Dr. Christoph Engl

FH-Prof. Mag. Hubert J. Siller
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
This project aims at determining the sectoral identity of entrepreneurs and employees working in the hotel business and gastronomy in tourism. In addition, employee-satisfaction and improvement activities are examined. Main question addressed is how stakeholder perceive the image of their sector. Therefore, the sector's strengths and weaknesses are analysed from the viewpoint of entrepreneurs and employees as well as the leadership principles and satisfaction of the employees in terms of management, payment etc. Thus, the analysis clarifies how stakeholder perceive the sector and identifies the aspects needing actions. In connection with the results, practical implications for family businesses in tourism are proposed.

Destination Commitment
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2019 - 2021

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Katrin Schwaiger, MA
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
The aim of the project is to survey the loyalty of tourism employees to their destination. The project is primarily concerned with the following central questions: How do employees in the family-run Tyrolean hotel industry assess their own attachment to their place of work, i.e. the tourist destination, and what can be derived from this for a socio-economically sustainable destination and ultimately company development?

EICAA Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship Competences Assessment Alliance
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2021 - 2024

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Ass. FH-Prof. Mag. Desiree Wieser, PhD

Mag. Christine Pirhofer

Mag. Gundula Glowka, PhD
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
EICAA aims to promote entrepreneurship and innovation skills. For this purpose, a survey to measure entrepreneurship and innovation skills is being created, the development of which is based on the internationally accepted EntreComp Framework of the EU Commission. For each of the competencies, teaching modules for Higher Education Institutions and their students as well as for Business training for enterprises and employees are being developed in the project. The survey of entrepreneurship and innovation skills is tested in advance and piloted on a large scale at universities and companies.

PLG_RESEARCH_PROJEKTLINK:
https://www.eicaa.eu

PIETE - Partnership for Initial Entrepreneurship Teacher Education
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2018 - 2021

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Mag. Christine Pirhofer

Ass. FH-Prof. Mag. Desiree Wieser, PhD
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
In order to promote entrepreneurial skills, which the European Union sees as key competences for lifelong learning, the Erasmus + project PIETE - "Partnership for Initial Entrepreneurship Teacher Education" was started in autumn 2018. The Erasmus + project PIETE is a strategic partnership that aims to anchor entrepreneurial skills in initial teacher education and to promote the establishment of a new generation of entrepreneurial teachers. The project builds on so-called tandem constellations, in which experts from the field of initial teacher education work together with experts from the field of entrepreneurial education. The project is managed by a strategic partnership between Univations - Institute for Knowledge and Technology Transfer at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (project management), the Technical and Humanistic Academy in Bielsko-Biała, the Katowice University of Economics, the University of Szeged, MCI The Entrepreneurial School ®, the University of Teacher Education Tyrol and the renowned University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN). The planned initiatives of the strategic partnership include the implementation of workshops with the aim of establishing a mutual understanding of the need for entrepreneurial education in initial teacher education, as well as the development of a modular teaching compendium that should enable partner institutions to integrate entrepreneurship education into their initial teacher education programs. Before doing so, the project team will conduct a study on the understanding of entrepreneurship education in initial teacher education throughout Europe. This study is supplemented by a best-practice collection, in which best-practice European initiatives for imparting entrepreneurial skills in higher education are illustrated.

PLG_RESEARCH_PROJEKTLINK:
https://www.entrepreneurialteachers.eu/

Digitalisierung, Soziale Medien und Familienunternehmen | Folgeprojekt
PLG_RESEARCH_DAUER:
2017 - 2018

PLG_RESEARCH_LEITER:
FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. MMag. Dr. Anita Zehrer

PLG_RESEARCH_PRMITARBEITER:
Valerie Nickel, BSc BSc MSc
PLG_RESEARCH_BESCHREIBUNG:
Based on our findings in the preceding project (EPU 45/2016), the prolongation of the project will allow gathering more relevant data from family businesses in Austria and Asia, which benefits generalizability of our results to a population at large. Due to the family system and the business system in a family-run firm, it is difficult to find family businesses which are open to talk about strategic issues of their firm, such as digitalization, since both systems are interrelated and the family factor ‘familiness' is omnipresent (Sharma et al. 1997; Chrisman et al., 2007; Frank et al. 2010). This strong interference between family and business exerts influence on the business processes (Chrisman et al., 2008; Sharma et al., 1996).


Publications

  • Muskat, B., Hörtnagl, T., Peters, M., & Zehrer, A. (2021). Innovation capability and culture: How time-orientation shapes owner-managers’ perceptions. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 47, 217-227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhtm.2021.03.018
  • Nagl, A., Ploder, C., & Zehrer, A. (2024). Knowledge Sharing for Family Businesses. In: Märk, S, & Situm, M. (eds.), Contemporary Issues in family business entrepreneurship. Vol 1. Family business transformation: strategic orientation and business modelling. DeGryter, pp. 195-212.
  • Zehrer, A., & Erdelyi, L. (2024). Future viability of family-run tourism businesses – are their special characteristics still relevant for generation Y? In: Märk, S, & Situm, M. (eds.), Contemporary Issues in family business entrepreneurship. Vol 1. Family business transformation: strategic orientation and business modelling. DeGryter, pp. 213-228.
  • Sexl, F., & Zehrer, A. (2024). Artificial intelligence in family-owned tourism businesses. Marketing Review St. Gallen (4), 888-893.
  • Auer, I., Schlögl, S., & Glowka, G. (2024). Chatbots in Airport Customer Service—Exploring Use Cases and Technology Acceptance. Future Internet, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/fi16050175
  • Zehrer, A., & Raich, F. (2022). Employer Branding in Familienunternehmen - Besonderheiten zur Etablierung einer attraktiven Arbeitgebermarke in familiengeführten touristischen Unternehmen. In: Bieger, T., Beritelli, P., & Laesser, Ch. (Hrsg.), Krisenbewältigung und digitale Innovationen im alpinen Tourismus. Schweizer Jahrbuch für Tourismus 2021/2022. Berlin: ESV Verlag, 159-169.
  • Hofer, T., Spiess, T., Ploder, C., & Bernsteiner, R. (2024). Understanding Employer Attractiveness for Generation Z in the IT Industry. European Journal of Management Issues, 32(1), 21–29. https://doi.org/10.15421/192403
  • Glowka, G., Hule, R., & Zehrer A., (2024). SME risk perception and size, equity and business situation –family-related risks, business risks, external risks, Risk Management.
  • Zehrer, A., Leiß, G., Krusekopf, C., & Wilsonmah, R. (2020). The Peak Hotel – The Challenge of Succession and Family Firm Continuity. The International Journal of Instructional Cases, 4, 1-9.
  • Glowka, G., Hule, R. & Zehrer, A. Risk perception of SMEs: strategic risks, family-related risks, external risks. Risk Management 26, 17 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41283-024-00148-2
  • Leiß, G., Leifeld, L., & Zehrer, A., (2021). Ist der Ruf erst ruiniert – Fünf Achtsamkeitspraktiken zur Vermeidung von Krisen und Skandalen in Familienunternehmen. FuS – Zeitschrift für Familienunternehmen und Strategie, 3, 88-94.
  • Schwaiger, K., Zehrer, A. & Spiess, T. (2021). The influence of symbolic and instrumental attributes of employer image on perceived industry attractiveness: differences between business owners and employees. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 5(3), 567-587. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-12-2020-0234
  • Glowka, G., Zehrer, A., Leifeld, L. (2022). Values of Centenarian family firms as a source of success. Corporate Governance and Research & Development Studies, n. 1-2022, p. 33-53.

Lectures

  • Assenmacher, M., & Zehrer, A. (2024). The digital entrepreneurial family. Exploring Innovation in Family Enterprises: A Systematic Review. FIFU DACHLI. 11.-13. März 2024, München, Deutschland.
  • Beckert, K., & Zehrer, A., (2023). Role identities and work boundaries in family firms. International Family Business Research Day, March 14, 2023 online.
  • Assenmacher, M., & Zehrer, A. (2024). The digital entrepreneurial family. Exploring Innovation in Family Enterprises: A Systematic Review. 2nd International Family Business Research Day. January 30, 2024, Online.
  • Sexl, F., & Zehrer, A. (2024). Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Tirolean family firms. 2nd International Family Business Research Day. January 30, 2024, Online.
  • Assenmacher, M & Zehrer A. (2024, June 18-21). The Role of the Entrepreneurial Family in Family Business Innovation. Doctoral Colloquium - IFERA 2024, Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Schwaiger, K., Braun, B., & Zehrer, A. (2021). Destination Commitment of Generation Y and Z Tourism Employees in the Alpine Destination of Kitzbühel. 11. Konferenz der deutschsprachigen Forschungszentren und Institute für Familienunternehmen (FIFU Dachli), 25.-26. Feburar2021. Hamburg, Deutschland.
  • Glowka, G., & Zehrer, A. (2021). Risikomanagement in klein- und mittelstrukturierten Familienunternehmen. 11. Konferenz der deutschsprachigen Forschungszentren und Institute für Familienunternehmen (FIFU Dachli), 25.-26. Feburar2021. Hamburg, Deutschland.
  • Nickel, V., & Zehrer, A. (2021). Tiroler Familienunternehmen: Rollenkonstruktion in der Führungsebene. 11. Konferenz der deutschsprachigen Forschungszentren und Institute für Familienunternehmen (FIFU Dachli), 25.-26. Feburar2021. Hamburg, Deutschland.
  • Wieser, D., Zehrer, A., Shinohara, Y., Kim, R.C., & Ackaradejruangsri, P. (2024). Sustainability across Generations in Family Firms. IECER Conference, September 18-20 2024, Innsbruck, Austria.

News

Family Business Management

Exploring Sustainable Growth in Japanese Family Firms: A Journey Abroad
Exploring Sustainable Growth in Japanese Family Firms: A Journey Abroad
A six-week endeavor of research and cultural immersion
Project
Project "Ulysses Contest" – Family Firm case study finalization
The MCI’s Family Business Center takes part in the Erasmus+ project, called Ulysses Contest. Together with an international consortium, they are developing a digital case study student competition on family businesses
Erasmus+ Project “EICAA”: New EICAA Magazine Issue 2 is out now
Erasmus+ Project “EICAA”: New EICAA Magazine Issue 2 is out now
Within the EICAA project "Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Competences Assessment Alliance", the latest issue of the EICAA Magazine on "Entrepreneurial & Intrapreneurial Dynamics Inside the EICAA Consortium" has been published   !-- The second issue of the EICAA Magazine highlights Entrepreneurial & intrapreneurial dynamics inside the EICAA consortium. Each one of the nine project partners (five universities and four corporate partners) gives insights and information on how they handle different environmental, social, economic or other business-related issues and circumstances. The magazine also features the latest updates and milestones of the project. Furthermore, readers learn more about how they can become part of the EICAA community and how to participate in the EICAA pilot round.The new EICAA Magazine Issue 2 is available here.The EICAA project “Entrepreneurial and Intrapreneurial Competences Assessment Alliance” (EICAA) is an Erasmus+ funded Knowledge Alliance with a duration of three years.The aim of the EICAA project is to develop a digital platform for the assessment and development of entrepreneurial competences. This will enable universities, companies and other organizations to carry out profiling and monitoring of entrepreneurial competences (e.g. among students or employees). An essential conceptual basis for this is the Entrepreneurship Competence Framework, which was developed by the Joint Research Center of the European Commission.By assessing entrepreneurial competence profiles on the EICAA digital platform, learning activities or training opportunities can be used in a more targeted way to strengthen entrepreneurial thinking and action. The EICAA consortium is also developing suitable teaching and training materials to promote entrepreneurial competences. A selection of these materials - depending on the respective assessment result - will be automatically suggested to the users of the digital platform to improve upon specific entrepreneurial competence areas.The MCI EICAA Team is more than happy to answer any further questions:MCI | The Entrepreneurial School®Anita Zehrer: anita.zehrer@mci.eduDesiree Wieser: desiree.wieser@mci.eduGundula Glowka: gundula.glowka@mci.eduChristine Pirhofer: christine.pirhofer@mci.edu   Project logo EICAA. © EICAAEICAA websiteFamily Business Center endsearch-->
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