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Journal of Family Business Management provides unrivalled coverage of all aspects of family business, offering a unique focus on behavioural and applied research in family firms, particularly considering the impact of research on policy and practice.

ISSN: 2043-6238
eISSN: 2043-6238

Aims and scope

Journal of Family Business Management (JFBM) is a refereed journal publishing since 2011. JFBM provides broad and unrivalled coverage of all aspects of family business. JFBM offers a unique focus on behavioural and applied research, particularly considering the impact of research on policy and practice; it aims to communicate the latest family business research and knowledge worldwide for the benefit of scholars and family business practitioners. Other articles unique to JFBM are our ‘In conversation with’ series which provides insights from practicing family business advisors about how they are using theory in their practice now. JFBM aims to stimulate dialogue between scholars and practitioners in a timely manner.

The family business arena is dynamic. Family business owners, managers, and practitioners need to be aware of changing management approaches, processes and strategies which allow them to respond to global competition in an increasingly chaotic world, while keeping in mind the unique character, culture, and attributes of family owned businesses.

Journal of Family Business Management is endorsed by the Family and Smaller Enterprises Research Group at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh; the Center for Family and Small Enterprises at the University of Texas at Tyler in the United States; and the International Centre for Families in Business in the United Kingdom.

Editorial objectives

Journal of Family Business Management (JFBM) is a refereed journal publishing since 2011. JFBM provides broad and unrivalled coverage of all aspects of family business. JFBM offers a unique focus on behavioural and applied research, particularly considering the impact of research on policy and practice; it aims to communicate the latest family business research and knowledge worldwide for the benefit of scholars and family business practitioners. JFBM eagerly solicits work from new scholars and in particular encourages early stage scholars to consider submitting a literature review summary, a new type of scholarly article explained in a document entitled a new type of literature review, which JFBM is pioneering. Other articles unique to JFBM are our ‘In conversation with’ series which provides insights from practicing family business advisors about how they are using theory in their practice now. JFBM aims to stimulate dialogue between scholars and practitioners in a timely manner.

The family business arena is dynamic. Family business owners, managers, and practitioners need to be aware of changing management approaches, processes and strategies which allow them to respond to global competition in an increasingly chaotic world, while keeping in mind the unique character, culture, and attributes of family owned businesses.

Journal of Family Business Management is endorsed by the Family and Smaller Enterprises Research Group at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh; the Center for Family and Small Enterprises at the University of Texas at Tyler in the United States; and the International Centre for Families in Business in the United Kingdom.

Editorial criteria

JFBM publishes original, interdisciplinary, empirical, conceptual, and theoretical research on all aspects of family business. This includes research articles; high quality case studies highlighting particular successes or problems in processes or techniques; literature review summaries; ‘research notes’ providing short, digestible information of current research projects and debate; book reviews and/or evaluation of other literature in the field; and practitioner commentaries providing a practitioner view of research developments; conceptual papers; viewpoint papers. All rigorous research methods including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodology articles are welcome.  All articles will be expected to include implications in regards to society and more importantly policy.

Systems of approach and methodological concerns

Although we are an interdisciplinary journal, we seek to publish articles from the perspective of social and behavioral science. Such disciplines include management, organizational behaviour, psychology, economics, and sociology. We also seek to publish articles from the perspective of practitioners, such as family business owners, consultants, and service providers. We publish articles that use any research methodology seeking the proliferation of knowledge in the realm of family business management. All forms of empirical findings; qualitative, quantitative, or mix-methodologies are welcome.  We will consider research that is conducted on all sizes of family firms from micro/small to large.

Scope/coverage

The coverage of the journal includes, but is not limited to:

  • Generational differences
  • Gender issues
  • Family dynamics
  • New/best practice and interventions
  • Policy effects and issues
  • Work-life balance; hours worked, vacation/time, burn-out, guilt, workoholism
  • Strategic planning and organizational changes in family firms
  • Corporate governance and strategy in family business
  • Impact of family dynamics on management behaviours
  • Organizational structures
  • Family business decision making
  • Belief Systems in the family enterprise religious, political, or philosophical (congruent/discordant)
  • Performance
  • Top management team
  • Financial issues, financial management
  • Resource allocation and leveraging
  • International family-owned business
  • Ethics; norms, mores, and morality issues
  • Human capital, social capital
  • Skill acquisition in the family enterprise – training, performance, feedback, growth, and expertise
  • Ethnicity and transnational cultures
  • Globalization trends
  • Communication
  • Conflict prevention/avoidance
  • Succession planning

Key Benefits

  • JFBM is the only journal which brings together thought leadership and applied research conducted by and with practitioners and the academic community and leading actors in the family business arena. Of particular interest are articles jointly written by practitioners and academics in the field, which offer invaluable insights into a diverse range of subjects. A main goal is narrowing the scholar/practitioner gap.
  • Combining rigour through strict peer review, with relevance through a theory-into-practice ethos, JFBM is an essential resource for all involved in this dynamic area.
  • JFBM is the only publication in the field to publish broad-based behavioural research in the field of family business studies.
  • The journal provides a high quality outlet for academic articles on the subject of contemporary issues in family business in three key areas: trends and topical issues; strategy and management; global issues and influences and will inform, and be informed by, practice.
  • The journal provides an innovative and accessible forum for young researchers in this field, publishing a number of ‘research notes’ and ‘literature reviews in brief’ in each issue.
  • 'Practitioner Forums' allow family business owners and service providers to discuss what is relevant and needed to advance the field through real world application.
  • Each issue will include book reviews enabling both scholars and practitioners to benefit from a succinct overview. Readers will benefit from having both a scholar and a practitioner review the same book and highlight comparisons and differences.

What does the field of research think about JFBM?

Family businesses have been substantial contributors to the world economy since time immemorial. They account for the majority of new ventures and small and medium-size enterprises. Even among large firms, family businesses dominate most economies throughout the world. Given the ever-evolving nature of families, societies, and economies, the significance of family businesses is likely to increase rather than decrease in years to come. Researchers are just beginning to appreciate the need to understand the behaviors and performance of family businesses. They are also just beginning to appreciate how exciting and interesting family businesses are to study. It will be interesting to see what is uncovered about family businesses in the years to come.
Professor Jim Chrisman, Mississippi State University, United States
 

 

Top cited

These are the top cited articles for this journal, from the last 12 months according to Crossref (Last updated: March 2024)

This journal is aligned with our responsible management goal

We aim to champion researchers, practitioners, policymakers and organisations who share our goals of contributing to a more ethical, responsible and sustainable way of working.

SDG 8 Decent work & economic growth
SDG 9 Industry, innovation & infrastructure
SDG 10 Reduced inequalities
SDG 11 Sustainable cities & communities
SDG 12 Responsible consumption & production
SDG 13 Climate action
Find out about our responsible management goal