Editorial: The growth and reputation of family business research

Family business research is a success story, as it has evolved into a highly prized area of interest that blends practice with theory. During the past decade, it has emerged as a highly cited area of business management studies that often combine different areas of study in unique and novel ways. The word “family” tends to evoke positive emotions and plays a key role in society that influences people to research this topic. In comparison with other fields of management study, there is a keen sense of interest in further facilitating the growth of this research area. Its importance is generally viewed as important, with some countries and industry contexts valuing it more than others. This means there are often personal and intrinsic rewards to studying family business management.Family business research has a complex history, as the topic has been around for a long time but in various contexts. Initially much of the research came from an accounting and finance perspective, but this changed to more nuanced areas of interest such as succession and planning. As general business management studies have grown, so too has family business research. Some countries tend to view family business as more important, particularly in parts of Asia and Europe, due to historical associations. Other parts of the world still value family business research, but often this depends on the public perceptions and views about family businesses.Family business research productivity has risen, as have associated citations. More family businesses are realising the importance of linking research to practice. This means usually family business outputs exceed other areas of business. Family business is one of the most prominent areas of research based on overall global business management research. Many family business researchers are internationally recognised in different areas of study and hold key leadership roles. This makes family business researchers notable researchers in the scientific field of business management. Family business research has been around a long time, predominately in Europe due to the emphasis on the family, and has expanded into other geographic areas. This means it is something of a cultural area of study and has reached maturity but still is growing. Compared to other business management areas, there seems to be a strong sense of community amongst family business researchers.The history of family business research can be traced back to seminal researchers who established specific journals and conferences on the topic. This meant a sense of belonging emerged on many occasions around people passionate about family business. Some researchers have a niche area of study that corresponds to their location or areas of interest. Others take a more contemporary approach based on current industry contexts. This means periodically key themes emerge that are tied into other business issues. There are many various areas of family business, but all link back to the essential function of a family business in terms of creating value. Some researchers take a critical perspective of family business, pointing out weaknesses and areas of improvement, whilst others have a more positive view. For researchers coming from a family business background, there can be a different perspective depending on their experiences. This can be based on length of association with the family business and role in the business.Family business is of increased relevance to business research due to its specific organisational form. This means identifying concepts and examples is related to practical occurrences. The story of family business research is encouraging due to its rise in prominence. It occupies a strong position in research, as it is supported by productive researchers.