Prof. Dr. Thomas Zellweger, chair of family firms

“Family firms are an important pillar of the economy. Many family firms are characterised by the fact that their flexibility enables them to adapt quickly to changing market conditions and to create long-term value thanks to innovation and creativity. The co-operation with family entrepreneurs intensifies my intrinsic motivation to do research/generate knowledge and to transfer this to the students at the University of St.Gallen, who will play an important role in our society in the future.”

Lisa Benz, Head of Executive Education

“Family firms are very specific enterprises - the entrepreneurial personalities behind the company often play an even more significant role than in the SME sector. They are mostly very unique company and success stories, often spanning several generations, with many changes experienced, which give family firms uniqueness and strength. For me, it is a great enrichment to learn from the exchange with these enterprises and also to experience how individual, concrete solutions can be found from the dialogue.”