The Science of Family Business

What:     
Decision-making and risk are among the subjects to be discussed at a Feb. 15 program, “The Science of Family Business: Part 2,” sponsored by Cal State Fullerton’s Family Business Council.

Who:     
Thomas V. Schwarz, professor of management and holder of the Rick Muth Family Chair in Family Business for Cal State Fullerton’s Mihaylo College of Business and Economics, is the program's presenter.

When:     
Wednesday, Feb. 15
7:30-10:30 a.m. breakfast included

Where:    
Cal State Fullerton’s Irvine Campus
3 Banting, Irvine, CA 92618

Additional:     
“Leading a family business is a complex job,” says Schwarz, who joined Cal State Fullerton in 2009 and teaches in the Department of Management. “That’s why 70 percent fail to make it past the first generation. The complexity, though, is becoming better understood as family business scientists from all over the world study, theorize and empirically examine the causes and relationships found in family businesses. This process mirrors earlier scientific inquiry into the natural sciences and later in the social sciences, such as economics, psychology and even political science. As in those fields before, what is ‘known’ is growing at a rapid rate.” Schwarz will discuss recent findings and outline “systematic decision biases and mistakes that are common in all human behavior.”

Background:      
The Family Business Council, operating within the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics, is a partnership between the business community and university. Its mission is to enhance the well-being and survivability of family businesses by providing opportunities for education, interaction and information tailored to business needs and concerns.

Cost:                  
Free for first-time family business attendees interested in becoming a member of the Family Business Council. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Robbin Bretzing at 657-278-4182 or by email at fbc@fullerton.edu.

Upcoming:      
March 14: “The More You Give, The More You Receive ... Does Your Community Know You Are There?” led by Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco and Dennis Kuhl, chairman, Los Angeles Angels. The 4:30-7 p.m. session will be held at Cal State Fullerton’s Goodwin Field.

April 18: “Social Media: It’s Not Personal, It’s Just Business” is presented by HKA & Associates from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Cal State Fullerton Irvine Campus.

May 16: “Watching for the Potholes of Family Business Worldwide” will be led by Jim Ellis, dean of USC’s Marshall School of Business from 4:30-7 p.m. in Mihaylo Hall at Cal State Fullerton.

Media Contacts:            
Ed Hart, director of the Family Business Council, 657-278-7431 or edhart@fullerton.edu
Pamela McLaren, Public Affairs, 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu