Research and Awards
The Family Business Institute is an organization dedicated to providing expert guidance and resources to family-owned businesses. Our members have gained significant recognition for their contributions to the field of family business consulting, education and research.
Next-Gen Survey Study
The Family Business Institute recognized the unique benefits of being part of Ted Rogers School of Management which has the largest undergraduate business cohort in Canada, with deep ties to business families. Given there is so much to learn about the up and coming generation who may or may not join their family’s business in an operating or ownership role, the Family Business Institute created detailed survey questions for insights into their perspectives.
We have over 900 surveys to date which were administered through a student research participation sign up system created by the Ted Rogers School where students have the ability to participate in market research for extra credit in select courses. The pool of students participating in market research complements and tests findings of professors from multiple business areas. This is the first time the student research pool has been applied to understand family business issues. Careful attention is paid to ensuring data integrity through the survey design and the project has been approved by the university’s Research Ethics Board.
Survey areas include:
- Demographics (nature of family business)
- Governance structures and practices
- Commitment / identity
- Intentions to return to the business
- Family business education
- Open ended – challenges and opportunities
Ted Rogers School Research Recognition Award
Congratulations to Dr. Francesco Barbera for being selected as a recipient of a 2022-23 Research Recognition Award for his scholarly endeavours to support the established, emerging, and context areas of research in Ted Rogers School (2022 May 1 - 2023 April 30).
2025 News: Francesco Barbera was a recipient of a Schulze Publication Award in the Research Insight category by FamilyBusiness.Org (external link) and EIX | Entrepreneur & Innovation Exchange (external link) . The award recognizes articles that translate academic findings into practical advice for family enterprises. The article, entitled "Managing Emotional Minefields Within Family Businesses" was co-authored with Ayoosha Saleem, Simon B. de Jong, and Arvid Hoffmann, and can be found here on the FamilyBusiness.Org (external link) and a synopsis is available on the Family Business Institute website (external link) .
Case competitions
The TRSM team received a third-place award at the 2024 Schlesinger Global Family Enterprise Case Competition. (From left to right: Frank Barbera, Kieran Gibson, Payten Cervini, University of Vermont Student Rep, Jerry Gao, Jack Scanlon and Janie Goldstein.)
In collaboration with KPMG Family Office
Our work with KPMG Family Office (external link) is ongoing as we explore an innovative approach to succession research. This collaboration brings together the FBI’s expertise and KPMG’s exemplary approach.