This new major work answers the growing global need for a resource that captures and presents a comprehensive overview of the literature in the field of family business. The last three decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in research on family businesses, as institutions have increasingly recognized that family businesses represent the most common form of business organization and a large part of the GDP in most countries. Scholars in the field have started to address critical questions such as:

* Why do family firms deserve special research attention?

* Are family firms really different from other business organizations? If so, how? And, so what?

* Is there a shared definition of family firms? And, of family in business?

* Are behavioral and governance issues that need attention in family enterprises any different from other firms?



This four-volume work addresses these key concerns and provides a rich picture of what we know about family businesses and enterprising families, as well as including critical reflections on major areas and contributions.

Volume One: Scope, Boundaries and Impact of Family Business
Volume Two: The Business Family
Volume Three: The Family Business
Volume Four: Governance and Behavioural Issues in Family Business