ZU among the Best Centers in the Area of Family Businesses Worldwide

According to the magazine "Family Capital", ZU´s "Friedrichshafen Institute of Family Entrepreneurship" (FIF) is one of the 25 leading centers of family businesses worldwide. Internationally renowned institutions are represented in this ranking, such as Harvard Business School, Kellogg School of Management, or Saīd Business School. The excellent study and research conditions at the FIF were especially stressed, as was the close connection with family entrepreneurs in the German speaking area.

"This distinction acknowledges the outstanding work of our scholars at the FIF. These teaching and research activities become possible due to the dynamic support of numerous sponsors, to whom we would like to express our very special thanks," ZU President Professor Dr Insa Sjurts says. "Additionally, this appreciation makes me very happy as the institute represents ZU in many ways. Thus, research and teaching carried out there is interdisciplinary, yet at the same time rooted in academic disciplines."

The FIF, opened at ZU in 2009, addresses issues related to family businesses both in its research and its teaching. The academic work focuses especially on studies and projects on topics such as business succession, innovation, entrepreneurship, business models, strategy, finance, and governance in family businesses, as well as on how these are perceived by the different stakeholders, such as employees, colleagues, customers, and the public.

"It makes our team at the FIF very happy that after only five years of intensive research and teaching on issues in family businesses, we are thus noticed in the international research scene on this topic, and are mentioned in one breath with renowned universities such as Harvard and Oxford," says Professor Dr. Reinhard Prügl, who holds the Chair of Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship at the FIF and is its Academic Director. "At the same time this distinction provides a high motivation for us to continue our work with and for family entrepreneurs of all generations in a sustainable way."
Additional information on the FIF and eMA FESH can be found at zu.de/emafesh