The 21st Workshop on Family Firm Management Research is organized by the Research Center of Entrepreneurship and Family Firms (RCEF) at Hasselt University, and takes place in Hasselt, Belgium, in collaboration with the Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership (CeFEO) at Jönköping International Business School.

For over twenty years, this workshop has been a cornerstone of the family firm research community. Originally launched under the European Institute for Advanced Studies in Management (EIASM), it now continues independently under CeFEO's stewardship, carrying forward two decades of tradition and scholarly excellence. Previous editions 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).

Please note that, due to the discontinuation of EIASM, submissions made through the former EIASM portal are no longer accessible. All participants are therefore kindly requested to submit their contributions anew via the current submission process.

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 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: May 24, 2026
Notification to authors: June 7, 2026
Registration: July 2, 2026
Final paper: August 26, 2026

Submission guidelines

Step 1

Authors are invited to submit an abstract by May 24, 2026, via email to familyfirmworkshop@uhasselt.be. Submissions should be provided as a single PDF document and should consist of two parts: a cover page and a two-page abstract (excluding cover page and references).:

• The cover page should be a separate page 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, via email to familyfirmworkshop@uhasselt.be. 

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

Registration is now open.

Please ensure that your registration and the purchase of accompanying persons' tickets are completed by July 2, 2026."

Fees

Standard registration fee

The standard registration fee for the 21st Workshop on Family Firm Management Research is 450 EUR. This fee includes access to all conference sessions, coffee breaks and lunches, the welcome reception on September 9, and the official conference dinner on September 10. 

Optional add-ons

Participants may join for an informal dinner on Friday evening, September 11, for an additional fee of 60 EUR. This fee includes dinner and drinks.

Additional tickets for accompanying persons wishing to participate in the social activities are also available:

• Welcome reception (September 9): 30 EUR
• Official conference dinner (September 10): 110 EUR
• Social dinner (September 11): 60 EUR

Cancellation policy

Please note that registration fees and add-ons are non-refundable. Paid registrations may be transferred to another co-author of the same paper, provided that the substitute author has not already registered for the conference. All transfer requests must be submitted in writing to familyfirmworkshop@uhasselt.be and are subject to approval by the conference organizers.

**** 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