The Family Firm Institute is a global professional membership association for individuals and organizations that serve the family enterprise field. It provides a forum for practitioners and academics to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge while engaging in collaborative opportunities that facilitate professional and business development objectives. It owns the academic journal, Family Business Review published by SAGE, the digital journal FFI Practitioner, and the Global Educational Network which provides certificates in family business and family wealth advising.
History
FFI, was founded in 1986. Its home office is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Its mission is to be the most influential global network of thought-leaders in the field of family enterprise. It provides research-based learning and relevant tools for advisors and consultants, academics and family enterprise members to drive success.
Leadership and governance
FFI is led and governed by a board consisting of a chair, president, vice chair, secretary, treasurer and additional board members.
The FFI Global Education Network is a global forum for teaching and learning that offers multidisciplinary courses and certificate programs for family enterprise advisers, practitioners, academics, and other professionals. Four certificates are offered: Certificate in Family Business Advising, Certificate in Family Wealth Advising and advance certificates in both categories. The GEN online learning environment includes custom designed modules for each course, animated family enterprise cases, and required research readings. Capstone webinars feature live classroom discussions allowing participants to see, interact with, and learn from their peers and faculty members from across the globe. Certificate Program participants can be paired with a professional mentor, attend FFI signature events, benefit from FFI membership, and more.
Global Conference
FFI's Global conference is a nexus for the production and exchange of knowledge among experts in the fields of family enterprise. The program includes a keynote presentation, educational sessions and panel presentations. A range of social activities is also part of the conference. Locations: 2019 Miami - October. 23 - 25, 2019 2020 New York - October. 26 - 28, 2020 2021 London
Publications
Published as a refereed journal since 1988, Family Business Review is the leading scholarly publication devoted exclusively to exploration of the dynamics of family-controlled enterprise, including firms ranging in size from the very large to the relatively small. FBR is focused not only on the entrepreneurial founding generation, but also on family enterprises in the 2nd and 3rd generation and beyond, as well as on some of the oldest companies in the world. In addition, the journal publishes interdisciplinary research on families of wealth, family foundations, and family offices. FFI on Friday A weekly members-only digital newsletter. FFI Practitioner The weekly digital journal FFI Practitioner provides thought-provoking analysis, trends, and research affecting professionals in the family enterprise community. Written by and for professionals, each edition features practical, user-friendly content, and research on classic and emerging topics in the field across disciplines and around the world.
Awards
FFI offers annual awards in three categories.
Achievement Awards: FFI recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of family enterprise advising, as well as work that enhances understanding of family firms as a form of business enterprise. The organization bestows four achievement awards: Richard Beckhard Practice Award, Barbara Hollander Award, Interdisciplinary Achievement Award, and International Award.
