{"id":104580,"date":"2025-07-18T15:16:28","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T14:16:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fondazionepirelli.org\/?p=104580"},"modified":"2025-07-18T15:16:28","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T14:16:28","slug":"family-businesses-the-hows-and-the-whys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fondazionepirelli.org\/en\/corporate-culture\/book-reviews\/family-businesses-the-hows-and-the-whys\/","title":{"rendered":"Family businesses, the hows and the whys"},"content":{"rendered":"

The description, analysis and management of a widespread and particular way of doing business<\/em><\/p>

Family businesses are considered the ‘backbone’ of many economies, yet they are little known and burdened by a series of myths that often bear no relation to reality. Understanding their true nature and how they operate and evolve is key to understanding an important part of a country’s (and Italy’s in particular) production culture. This is what \u2018Imprese familiari. Teoria e pratica per gestire con intenzione\u2019 (Family businesses. Theory and practice for managing with intention) tries – and succeeds – to do.Co-authored by Cristina Bettinelli and Olivia Mathijsen, it offers an analysis of this category of entrepreneurial activities, guiding the reader through an understanding of their complexities and evolutionary trajectories.
\nUsing theoretical models, case studies and practical tools, the book reflects on issues such as governance, conflicts, values and culture. The book addresses the issue of generational transition by illustrating how to cultivate management skills (stewardship) in future generations. The common thread is the intentionality in consciously addressing these topics.<\/p>\n

The book begins with an important passage that addresses and debunks six myths related to the image of family businesses. It then moves on to the criteria for defining family businesses, before addressing the ‘three evolutionary dimensions’ of these production organisations:\u00a0 property, family, and the business itself. The authors then turn to the complex and varied topic of managing the various dimensions that come together in a family business, before moving on to other fundamental themes,\u00a0 such as the intertwining of values and culture in family businesses, and the conflicts, communications, and emotions that can characterise these activities. Bettinelli and Mathijsen’s work concludes with two further key arguments:\u00a0 the crux of generational transition, and the importance of passing on the necessary managerial skills to new generations. Two case studies\u2014Pastificio Rana SpA and Distillatori Nonino SRL- complete the theory illustrated in the book.<\/p>\n

Cristina Bettinelli and Olivia Mathijsen have written an excellent introduction to understanding a unique way of doing business.<\/p>

Imprese familiari. Teoria e pratica per gestire con intenzione<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cristina Bettinelli, Olivia Mathijsen<\/p>\n

Guerini Next, 2024<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The description, analysis and management of a widespread and particular way of doing businessFamily businesses are considered the ‘backbone’ of many economies, yet they are little known and burdened by a series of myths that often bear no relation to reality. Understanding their true nature and how they operate and evolve is key to understanding […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":104565,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-reviews","category-corporate-culture"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFamily businesses, the hows and the whys - Fondazione Pirelli<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fondazionepirelli.org\/en\/corporate-culture\/book-reviews\/family-businesses-the-hows-and-the-whys\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Family businesses, the hows and the whys - Fondazione Pirelli\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The description, analysis and management of a widespread and particular way of doing businessFamily businesses are considered the ‘backbone’ of many economies, yet they are little known and burdened by a series of myths that often bear no relation to reality. 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