Why you think there has been an increasing number of family business courses over the last 2 decades? I think there has been an increase in family business courses over the last 2 decades due to the increase of Family-run businesses themselves and their growth (whether big or small). Even though finding the right job is all up to the individual, more people are starting to prefer starting their career with some foundation rather than none. I've noticed this with a lot of family members from giant corporations in Thailand pursuing what their parents have built rather than following through with their passion (a family member from the "Singha Corporation" recently joined the company despite being known to have a passion for music). Fairly, it is essential to note that these desires can vary for every individual but I think that it is a mixture of convenience and perspective that leads a person to pursue a family business. At the same time, it is also important for the people running the family business to understand/learn how they can maintain that business and keep it going.
Why have you opted for a course in family business management? Are you part of a family business? Tell us a little about it. I am part of a family business started by my parents, where we produce feedmill machinery for food corporations in South East Asia, and as an only child, whatever path I choose for my career would determine the continuation of the company whether it would be continued by myself or someone from outside. Despite being unsure of my capabilities running the family business, I want to give myself a chance to understand the structures and learn the ways that I can push it forward. In my current state of mind, it would be ideal for me to be able to branch off the business (with the foundation that my parents established) into something new.
What business benefits might accrue to the business from you enrolling in this family business module? As stated above, I want to learn ways in which I can push the business even further and hopefully establish a system that ensures a consistent career path for my future family members as well as maintain the company traditions established by the founder (with or without family members involved).
How can you contribute to learning about family businesses? Doing research on long-running family businesses (I find interviews to be very insightful), visiting them, and contributing to discussions in and out of the classroom.
QUESTION: Do you think it is possible for a family business to maintain a consistent mission statement/tradition without a family member of the business being involved?
