The Family Business Group Phenomenon: Emergence and Complexities

This edited collection analyses the unexplored concept of the family business group, evaluating the opportunities and advantages that it creates for entrepreneurs. Raising a number of important questions, the authors construct a new research agenda for the complex topic of the family business group, which will ultimately assess its contribution towards the economy and society in general. The chapters provide a core understanding of the phenomenon and cover its formation, nature and complexities, as well as offering a holistic perspective and exploring factors such as scale, size and regional contexts. A useful tool for those researching small businesses, organisation, and business strategy, this book highlights the key advantages of family business group structures in both developed and developing countries, and local and national contexts.

Marita Rautiainen is a post-doctoral researcher in the School of Engineering Science at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Finland. With a background as an entrepreneur, Marita teaches entrepreneurship theory and family business, and her research focuses on the development of the family business group.

Peter Rosa is the George David Emeritus Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Business at the University of Edinburgh, UK. He specialises in portfolio entrepreneurship and family business groups in Europe and East Africa.

Timo Pihkala is Professor of Entrepreneurship at Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), Finland, where he is currently Head of the Entrepreneurship Masters programme. His research interests revolve around entrepreneurship education, SME innovation, small business networks, and family business and ownership.

Maria José Parada is a Lecturer in the Department of Strategy and General Management at ESADE, Spain. She is also Co-Director of the ESADE Family Business Lab, having previously studied at ESADE Business School and Jönköping International Business School, Sweden.

Allan Discua Cruz is a Lecturer in the Department of Entrepreneurship and Strategy at Lancaster University Management School, UK. He has published on the topics of portfolio entrepreneurship and family business groups in Latin America.