Welcome to the Ownership Style Survey!
The Ownership Style Tool is designed to help family business owners self-assess their ownership approach. The tool includes a brief demographic section, followed by a set of 8 statements where you will rate your level of agreement, from 'Strongly Disagree' to 'Strongly Agree'. This evaluation will provide insights into the type of owner you are within your family business, helping you better understand your role and impact.
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© 2025 Family in Business
Ownership Style
Thank you for your interest in participating. However, to complete this survey, you must be part of a family that owns and/or manages a firm or group of firms.
© 2025 Family in Business
Ownership Style
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Ownership Style in Family Business
In family businesses, even when family owners share similar values, a strong sense of identity, and a common history, they are not all the same. Ownership behaviour is shaped by the underlying intentions of owners, which reflect their values, priorities, and relationship with the business. These intentions influence not only how owners engage with the business but also how they approach decision-making.
To better understand how ownership styles impact ownership behaviours, we develop a model that highlights two primary drivers of their orientations toward intentions: Group-oriented behaviour and Wealth-oriented behaviour.
1. Group-oriented Behaviour
Group-oriented behaviour describes the extent to which family owners strive to cultivate a cohesive group aligned with shared goals, values, and expectations. This orientation can be considered on a continuum with two extremes:
2. Wealth-oriented Behaviour
Wealth-oriented behaviour describes the extent to which family owners prioritize the accumulation, preservation, and expansion of family wealth. It reflects their approach to financial growth, investment strategies, and long-term economic sustainability. This orientation can be considered on a continuum with two extremes:
The combination between the two primary orientations results in four distinct ownership styles, each reflecting a different balance between group commitment and wealth priorities.
Click on the titles to learn more about each of the four ownership styles:
© 2025 Family in Business
Justice and Fairness in Family Business
Understanding Justice and Fairness in Family Business
Justice and fairness are the foundation of healthy and lasting family firms. They influence how families make decisions, allocate resources, and treat one another within the business.
In this interactive module, you explore how these principles shape relationships and impact transgenerational success through a three-step learning journey:
1
Step 1 – Watch the video
Understand the core concepts of justice and fairness and how they apply in family business management.
2
Step 2 – Listen to the story
Hear a real-life case of a family business facing challenges of fairness and trust.
3
Step 3 – Interact with our virtual agent
Reflect on the situation and propose your own solution to restore fairness within the family.
Step 1 of 3
Step 1 – Watch the video
Understand the core concepts of justice and fairness and how they apply in family business management.
Step 2 of 3
Step 2 – Listen to the story
Hear a real-life case of a family business facing challenges of fairness and trust.
Step 3 of 3
Step 3 – Interact with our virtual agent
Reflect on the situation and propose your own solution to restore fairness within the family.
Congratulations!
© 2025 Family in Business