This course explores the unique issues that a family business encounters from its initial founding through its generational development and to its ultimate success or demise. Family businesses that prosper generation to generation pursue unconventional strategies. Because they are values-driven and think very long-term; it is theorized that successful family businesses take approaches not commonly found in the current management practices at most companies. Issues addressed include: family firm performance; family business culture; challenge of succession; conflict and harmony; business vs. family communication; family constitution; and corporate vs. family business governance.