Following the initiative taken by Kristin Cappuyns (IESE, Spain), a small group of committed family business researchers came together to hold meetings specifically to discuss family business research (Barcelona, 1999 and Amsterdam, 2000).

The purpose was to share experiences and network at an international level. At these meetings, it became evident that family business research, theory and practice had been emerging rapidly over the last decade. The field had reached a stage where there was a need for further quality improvement through enhanced collaboration and accelerated learning from best practices.

Researchers in the family business field desperately needed a platform allowing them to meet and exchange information on a regular basis. And so, in January 2001, an international team of researchers met in Barcelona to work out some basic protocols for a formal organization, named IFERA, The International Family Enterprise Research Academy.

Since its very beginning, IFERA counts on the support of an extended group of researchers from the family business field, whose membership is growing exponentially.

Joe Astrachan
Formerly Kennesaw State Univ.
Wachovia Chair of Family Business
USA

Christine Blondel
INSEAD
France

Daniela Montemerlo
SDA Bocconi
Bocconi University
Italy

Albert Jan Thomassen
Tias Business School
Family Business Center
Netherlands

Kristin Cappuyns
IESE International Business School
Family Business Chair
Spain

Kosmas Smyrnios
School of Marketing
RMIT University
Australia

Panikkos Poutziouris
Manchester Science Enterprise Centre
United Kingdom