Longevity of Family Firms

Why do some family businesses last for generations, while others disappear after only a few decades? A familiar belief holds that survival beyond the third generation is rare, and in capital-intensive industries, it is thought to be nearly impossible. Yet many family firms do endure.This book takes readers inside the world of long-standing family companies to uncover what makes longevity possible, and what leads to failure. Focusing on the German paper and pulp industry, a sector marked by volatility, cyclicality, and tradition, the study compares both survivors and non-survivors. Drawing on in-depth interviews with family owners and industry experts, it develops a grounded theory framework that highlights four conditions of longevity: survival of industry potential, avoiding downfall, enterprise sustainability, and enduring family influence.The findings reveal that longevity is not only achievable but often the very purpose that drives family owners forward.