Norway

During the annual conference of Family Business Norway, SIFB project team members Simone Møkster, presented the project and preliminary findings to 50 conference participants. Succession has been a popular topic for research for many decades already, however little attention has been devoted to siblings’ shared leadership which is a common practice.

Among the audience at this conference there where both siblings and spouses that shared ownership and leadership in Norwegian family businesses. During the presentation the audience got insight into the cases from Croatia, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Norway, the interview protocol, and the preliminary findings. The audience was also introduced to the stewardship theory, which are used as theoretical framework for the data analysis.

The presentation was concluded with group discussions at the tables with owners in different ages, generations and roles. The participants were asked to discuss the following questions:

1. Do you have shared leadership in your family?
2. Does the interpersonal dynamic affect how you navigate in the various sub systems, family, business and ownership?
3. How is the decision making in your family? Does it occur that interpersonal dynamics interfere with decision making?

The opportunity to reflect as well to share experience and thought with other business owners are always highly appreciated when the network of family business owners meet.