The Family Business, a critical driver of development and social progress
The Family Business Observatory is conceived as a space for dialogue and reflection that connects academic research with business practice, public institutions, and civil society. Its mission is to analyse, interpret, and disseminate useful knowledge on the specific dynamics of family businesses, as well as on the challenges they face in an economic and social environment in constant change.
Through this initiative, UPF-BSM strengthens its role as an active agent serving the business ecosystem and the territory, promoting more robust, responsible, and long-term-oriented models of governance and decision-making. The Observatory places special emphasis on the human factor, recognising that people management —the coexistence of family, ownership, and business, leadership, generational succession, and talent development— is a key element for the competitiveness and continuity of family businesses.
Purpose
To become a benchmark in applied analysis and the transfer of specialised knowledge on family business. Through a rigorous and action-oriented approach, the aim is to strengthen their capacity to adapt, ensure the continuity of business projects, and enhance their positive impact on the economy and society as a whole.
Vision
To consolidate itself as a centre of excellence that connects, inspires, and supports family businesses, facilitating their adaptation to future challenges and promoting generational continuity.
Strategic pillars of the Observatory
Knowledge generation
To promote rigorous research and the production of specialised studies, reports, and analyses on the specific characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of family businesses, with the aim of generating useful and transferable knowledge for both the academic sphere and the business ecosystem. This includes addressing key topics such as generational succession processes, governance and professionalisation models, innovation capacity, economic and social sustainability, digital transformation, and strategic talent management, as well as their impact on the continuity and competitiveness of family-owned organisations.
Knowledge transfer
To actively disseminate the knowledge generated to the business community and society as a whole, with the aim of bringing academic research and analysis closer to professional practice and decision-making. This dissemination will take shape through the organisation of conferences, seminars, talks, and specialised workshops, as well as through the publication of content in different formats, aimed at entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals, as well as at audiences interested in the reality and impact of family businesses on economic and social development.
Specialised education
To offer high value-added executive programs, specifically designed to respond to the real needs of family businesses. The offering includes both comprehensive executive programs and specialised monographic programs and courses focused on key aspects of management, governance, and business continuity. These programs are aimed at executives, partners, and members of the business family, as well as future generations, with the goal of strengthening their competencies, aligning interests, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the business project.
Community and networking
To create and energise stable spaces for meeting, dialogue, and the exchange of experiences among the different stakeholders linked to family businesses, such as academics, entrepreneurs, professionals, and alumni, with the aim of fostering mutual learning, collaborative work, and the generation of synergies. These spaces will make it possible to share best practices, discuss common challenges, and promote joint initiatives that contribute to the development, professionalisation, and continuity of family businesses.
Key initiatives of the Observatory
Specific executive projects
- Executive development programs for family members and non-family executives.
- Workshops on succession planning and family protocols.
- Courses on innovation and digitalisation in family businesses.
- Training in human capital management and talent retention.
Cycle of conferences and debates
- Keynote lectures by family business leaders and recognised experts.
- Round tables on current challenges and future trends.
- Debate forums on public policies affecting family businesses.
Club for executives and HR professionals
- Facilitating spaces for connection, debate, and reflection on the main challenges of family businesses.
- Promoting the exchange of best practices.
- Supporting family business professionals through training initiatives.
Research and analysis centre
- Preparation of annual reports on the state of family businesses in Catalonia and Spain.
- Publication of research articles.
Family Business Alumni Club
- Active alumni community.
- Exclusive networking events.
- Mentoring and intergenerational exchange of best practices.
Digital content platform
- Creation of a dedicated web portal with resources, news, articles, and access to the Observatory’s studies.
- Dissemination through newsletters and social media.
Director of the Observatory
Oriol Amat Sala
Director of the Observatory
What makes us different?
The distinctive value proposition of UPF Barcelona School of Management is based on an approach clearly oriented towards empirical analysis and the governance of family businesses. Drawing on proprietary data and rigorous methodologies, UPF-BSM produces applied reports and studies that make it possible to gain in-depth insight into key issues such as profitability, financial structure, succession processes, degree of professionalisation, quality of financial information, and decision-making systems.
Our commitment
We aim to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of companies.
Family business
To ensure and facilitate succession and generational continuity in family businesses.
Response to new scenarios
To promote innovation and adaptation to new scenarios within the business sector.
Joint work
To foster dialogue and collaboration among the different stakeholders.
Public service vocation
To strengthen the role of UPF-BSM as an institution with a public service vocation, committed to the country’s business ecosystem and social progress.
Initiatives 2026
- 2nd edition – Executive Program Family Business and the Challenges of the 21st Century: Family Business and the Challenges of the 21st Century: professionalisation, governance, innovation, and generational succession, in collaboration with The Skeye.
- 2nd edition – Training program for young people linked to family businesses, in collaboration with Comertia.
- 1st monograph on Family Business.
Observatory partners
