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.