As the family keeps a family in the grip?
Prof. Andrea Calabrò (30) explores the governance structures of family businesses
The business Chair of the Witten Institute for Family Business (WIFU) of the University of Witten / Herdecke has been filled with a native of Italy Prof. Andrea Calabrò. He is an expert on the research around family, especially with a focus on corporate governance and internationalization of family businesses. Already since April 2011 was Prof. Andrea Calabrò in Witten as Acting Chair active, now the appeal process has been finalized by the ministerial approval.
“I am mainly concerned with the question of how family businesses are managed. Because family businesses don't necessarily have to be small. Haniel, Henkel, Oetker, Miele: There is a lot of turnover in it and how such quite complex companies are then managed by a family, that is one of my research questions, "Calabrò explains his concern. Because on the one hand it is about allowing a company to be successful in everyday life: “With large families, it can be a problem who has how much influence. That has to be regulated legally, otherwise the company will suffer from the family. And how to find such regulations is my topic, ”he describes a detail. Another thing: not every family that runs a company has capable entrepreneurs in every generation. “Often the children do not want to or cannot meet the great expectation. Then the companies have to appoint managers from outside the family. How can the family continue to control the long-term direction in such a situation? “For me, family businesses are still the clear opposite of the short-term investments made by anonymous investors. It's about long-term goals and not about quick money. How can a family best pursue this goal? My research here in Witten revolves around such questions, ”he explains his research field.
Professor Calabrò graduated from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” with a bachelor's and master's degree (2005) in business administration with distinction. After completing his studies, he began his doctorate in management and governance at the University of “Tor Vergata”. In addition to his doctorate, Professor Calabrò was extensively involved in teaching at the university. Through research stays at the BI Norwegian School of Management, he acquired the European doctorate "Ph.D.", which consistently requires an international orientation of the doctoral students. In parallel to his doctorate, Professor Calabrò has already written essential parts of his habilitation. From April to September 2011, Professor Andrea Calabrò was a substitute professor at the Witten Institute for Family Businesses (WIFU).
If you would like to know more, please contact Prof. Calabrò at 02302 / 926-533 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots To display JavaScript must be turned on!
About Us:
The University of Witten / Herdecke (UW / H) has played a pioneering role in the German educational landscape since it was founded in 1982: As a model university with around 1.400 students in the fields of health, business and culture, the UW / H stands for a reform of the classic alma mater. At the UW / H, imparting knowledge and acquiring skills always go hand in hand with value orientation and personal development.
The Witten Institute for Family Businesses (WIFU) of the Faculty of Economics is the pioneer and guide in academic research and teaching on the peculiarities of family businesses in Germany. Three research and teaching areas - business administration, psychology / sociology and law - form the scientific reflection of the shape of family businesses. As a result, WIFU has developed unique expertise in the field of family businesses.
Since 2004, the institute sponsors, an exclusive group of around 50 family businesses, have made it possible for WIFU to act as an institute of family businesses for family businesses on an equal footing. With currently twelve professors, the WIFU has been making a significant contribution to the cross-generational future viability of family businesses for over thirteen years.
Managing family businesses is a complex and sometimes paradoxical challenge. A new range of courses provides important support here: Since October 2010, the Faculty of Economics at the University of Witten / Herdecke has been offering the "Master in Family" course, which has been recognized as the "Land of Ideas" Business Management (M.Sc.) ". This enables the WIFU to pass on its expertise to potential successors, specialists and executives and consultants in family businesses. In addition, students in the Bachelor's degree in "Business Economics (BA)" and in the Master's degree in "General Management (MA)" have the opportunity to take a specialization in the field of family businesses or to acquire specialization certificates on the subject.
Source: Witten / Herdecke [WIFU]
