Application & Course Details
Overview
Working in or with family businesses means both opportunities and challenges. Research shows that family businesses are different from other companies and in order to succeed as professionals in family businesses, it is important to understand their unique characteristics. This applies both if you own or will take over a family business, you are managing, or otherwise working with a family business.
Certified by Jönköping International Business School, this course is tailor-made for family business owners, managers and practitioners, and is based on the latest findings from the leading research conducted at the Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership (CeFEO).
What does online distance learning involve?
Through the learning platform you’ll get access to recorded lectures, case studies and other study material. Communication takes place largely through discussion forums and e-meetings. This flexible form means that within each course section you can, to a large extent, choose the time and place for your studies, while regular deadlines distribute the studies evenly over the course.
What's the target group?
This course builds on the research excellence and practical relevance of the Centre for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership, bridging the core competences of JIBS faculty on family business and ownership. The participants will have a unique opportunity for applying the most relevant theoretical concepts to examples, cases and experiences from family businesses. The course is tailor-made for business owners, professionals and practitioners, working in or with family businesses, as well as for next-generation family business members and successors.
Facts
Syllabus (.pdf)
Prerequisites
- General entry requirements, and English proficiency is required, and evidence of at least three years of professional work experience.
- Application letter (min 300, max 500 words) written in English. This letter clearly describes the motivations for taking a family business course.
In particular, the application letter contains:
- Your personal and professional reasons for taking a Family Business course.
- Description of your leadership experience in a family business (e.g. as owner, member of the board, manager, or successor).
- Indication if you are a member of a family business or to what extent you are connected to a family business.
Certificate
In addition to the registration of 15 ECTS course, you will receive a certificate in Family Business Management, issued by Jönköping International Business School, after completion of the course.
Schedule
Please note the schedule might change slightly:
Family Business Management Schedule 6th Edition 2025
Pdf, 180.6 kB.
Courses
* Preliminary schedule. To be confirmed.
The course is offered in English. Each of the 5 modules consists in 3 online lectures (pre-recorded) and 3 online meetings (in real time) for a duration of 6 weeks per module. The estimated effort for taking this course is about 10 hours of study per week. The course schedule is presented below.
Modules | Period* |
– Family Business, introduction and characteristics – 3 credits | weeks 5-11, 2025 |
– Family Business Strategy – 3 credits | weeks 12-18, 2025 |
– Family Business Governance – 3 credits | weeks 19-24, 2025 |
– Family Business Ownership – 3 credits | weeks 36-41, 2025 |
– Family Business Emotions – 3 credits | weeks 42-47, 2025 |
* Preliminary schedule. To be confirmed.
Testimonials
It's been a great setup over the course with a mix of home studies and group discussions that can combine studies and a full-time work. This course has given me a new set of tools to develop my business and a greater understanding of running a family business.
Viktor Benderius, Aero Ma, Owner and MD
The course gave me a valuable insight into the academic approach to family business management. Although I have experienced most of what was on the curriculum first-hand, I was pleased to see that research and the academic field is focused on this area, and I particularly liked the multi disciplinary set-up, which gave the course an, to me, unexpected humane angle.
Lena Skeie, Second generation active owner & board member of Skeiegruppen
The FBM course has greatly opened my eyes on the systematic measurements to manage and grow a successful family business with a long term vision. I have enjoyed very much the learning process and outcome both from my teachers and from my classmates. I highly recommend this course!
Yan Cheng, Karolinska Development AB, President Asia
As a consultant, it has been very useful to attend the course "Family Business Management". Good lecturers and interesting topics are presented both from the other participants, in the presented literature and not least in the assignments and lectures that were given. I highly recommend this course for anyone working in or for family-owned businesses.
Sonja Hauan, Owner/Senior consultant
Participating in the family business management course was truly transformative. The program provided me with invaluable insights and practical tools to navigate the complexities of our family-owned business. I now feel more equipped to contribute to the success and sustainability of the company.
Jyri Antero Frantzi, Deputy Managing Director
Student projects
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For information about the course, please contact:
- Director CeFEO
Senior Associate Professor Business Administration - Jönköping International Business School
- massimo.bau@ju.se
- +46 36-10 1813
- Coordinator
Coordinator - Jönköping International Business School
- adam.al-azzawi@ju.se
- +46 36-550 2472