The European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management (EIASM) is an international network for management research and teaching that includes more than 50,000 management scientists from all over the world. EIASM’s mission is to enhance high quality in research and doctoral studies in management and related disciplines.

The 21st annual EIASM Workshop on Family Firm Management Research is co-organized by the Research Center of Entrepreneurship and Family Firms (RCEF) at Hasselt University and takes place in Hasselt, Belgium. This event continues the tradition of successful academic gatherings that took place in Nice (2006), Hasselt (2009), Witten (2011), Helsinki (2013), Bergamo (2014), Lyon (2015), Zwolle (2016), Bilbao (2017), Larnaca (2018), Nantes (2019), online with the support of the EuFBC Network (2021), Cork (2022), Naples (2008 & 2023), Barcelona (2010 & 2024), and Jönköping (2005, 2007, 2012 & 2025).

The workshop provides excellent opportunities for researchers to share their experiences, receive high-value feedback on their work, and form new research collaborations.

In an era where business success is measured in more than just profits, scholars are turning their attention to a crucial question: How can family businesses and the families behind them truly thrive? Family businesses thrive when both the business and the family behind it flourish on multiple fronts – emotionally, relationally, financially, and organizationally. Prior research has emphasized the socio-emotional wealth that business families derive from their firms – the nonfinancial benefits of owning and managing a family enterprise (Gomez-Mejia et al., 2007). Thriving family firms cultivate these “feel good” aspects (e.g., family identity, legacy, and pride) while also ensuring “acting strong” through resilience and financial vitality. Indeed, family firms are widely recognized for their remarkable resilience and long-term orientation, underpinning their ability to continue and survive.

For its 21st edition, the EIASM workshop on family firm management research turns attention to how family businesses and business families build and sustain thriving conditions, exploring the many ways in which family firms “feel good and act strong”. We encourage contributions that examine the human dynamics and support systems enabling business families and family businesses to thrive across generations. Submissions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes and questions:

• Different types of emotional dynamics and their drivers and outcomes in the unique context of family firms
• How early life or career experiences of family members shape the trajectory of the family firm and the well-being of the business family
• What support structures, such as family governance, co-creation, and social exchange networks, help family businesses and business families to navigate challenges, feel good, and act strong?
• How do family businesses achieve financial sustainability and growth without compromising family harmony and values, for instance, through prudent governance, reinvestment strategies, or philanthropy via family offices?
• Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly: failures of and dysfunctional behaviors in family firms and business families
• …

While papers related to the central theme and the topics above are especially encouraged, the workshop continues its tradition of welcoming all high-quality research in family firm management. Submissions that push the frontiers of family business research or bridge it with other domains are welcome. For example, we invite studies that explore the intersection of family business with entrepreneurship, strategy, organizational behavior, psychology, finance, governance, ethics, sustainability, innovation, digitalization, internationalization, or public policy, among others. Our goal is to foster a rich discussion that advances the field of family business broadly, shedding light on the drivers of various types of family firm performance and the well-being of those involved.

The full call for papers can be downloaded here. (pdf, 3.7 MB)

Deadlines

Abstract submission: April 20, 2026
Notification to authors: April 27, 2026
Registration: June 30, 2026
Final paper: August 26, 2026

Submission guidelines

Step 1

Please submit your abstract only through the EIASM online submission system by April 20, 2026. Please note that the proposal must be submitted online as a single document. The proposal is composed of a cover page and the body of the proposal that consists of a 2-page abstract (cover page and references not included):

• The cover page should be a separate sheet that includes the following information: title, each author’s name, their affiliation, address, telephone number, and e-mail address.
• The 2-page abstract should include: purpose/topic of research, research method, theories used, and the contributions of the research.

All proposals should be single-spaced, Times New Roman, 10-point font.

Step 2

After acceptance of the abstract, you will be invited to submit a final paper.

Final papers can be submitted in two formats:

• As a Full paper
• As a Work-in-progress (7-10 pages plus tables and references).

Please submit a final paper by August 26, 2026 (only the initial submitter can upload the final version).

All submissions should be single-spaced, Times New Roman, 10-point font.

**** Hotels

*** Hotels

There’s something to discover around every corner, from cozy cafés and fashion boutiques to hidden gems that make the city special. Want to experience Hasselt the way we do? Here are a few of our personal favorites:

• Modemuseum (Fashion Museum) – a spark of inspiration for your next wardrobe addition.
• Jenevermuseum – explore the history and taste of Hasselt’s most iconic spirit.
• Quartier Bleu – stroll along the water and pause for a coffee with a view.
• Hemelrijk / Van Veldeke – two cosy squares perfect for enjoying a renowned Belgian beer.
• Japanese Garden – the ideal spot for lying in the grass and slowing down.

Wherever you go, you’ll find a piece of Hasselt that feels just right. For more inspiration, visit the official tourism website.

Conference chairs

Organizing committee

Scientific committee