Episode 15: European Family Financial Planning Models with Massimo Bau

In this episode of The Family Business Audiocast, host R. Adam Smith welcomes Massimo Bau, Senior Associate Professor in Family Business and Ownership at Jönköping International Business School in Sweden and Director of the Center for Family Entrepreneurship and Ownership. Bau discusses the evolution of family business education, highlighting how programs have expanded beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to target specific groups at different life stages. He explores underresearched areas in family enterprise studies, particularly emphasizing ownership structures and competencies. Bau shares insights on innovation drivers in family firms, the challenges of balancing current needs with future sustainability, and the formation of the European Family Business Centers network. The conversation concludes with perspectives on the role of communication in aligning family goals and values, and how independent board chairs can facilitate effective governance.