On October 26 and 27, 2012, ALBA Graduate Business School at the American College of Greece hosted a unique meeting of academics and family business representatives from most European countries. The 5th European STEP was organized by the ALBA Hub for Enterprise and Development and is part of the Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Project (STEP), an academic research program that studies entrepreneurship across generations in medium and large family businesses.
In this year’s Summit, more than 35 participants met in Hersonisos, Crete and discussed issues that dealt with Power, Governance, Emotions, Entrepreneurial Values and Culture, Innovation and Internationalization in family businesses under the general title of “Longevity of Enterprising Families; Overcoming Critical Situations”. Interactive sessions, group activities, exercises and theatrical role plays enhanced the knowledge of all participants and allowed for constructive exchange of opinions. The Summit concluded with the announcement of next year’s Global STEP Summit to be held at ESADE in Spain. Previous European STEP Summits were hosted by ESADE (Spain), HEC (France), Universita Bocconi (Italy) and Universität St. Gallen (Switzerland).
The STEP Project focuses on multigenerational and successful family businesses that have significant growth. Through case studies and questionnaires administered globally, the STEP Project aims at identifying and highlighting practices that ensure the longevity and growth for such businesses. The annual European Summit is organized in order to share knowledge with family businesses committed to STEP and further understand the mechanics of family enterprising.
The Project is a Global initiative that has its seat at BABSON College and includes, apart from the European Region, the Latin American, the Asian and the Northern American ones. In total, the STEP Project includes more than 200 scholars and 100 family businesses from 44 countries. ALBA’s Hub for Enterprise and Development (AHEAD) joined the Project in 2009 and is the Greek affiliate business school. More information about the Project can be found at: http://www.alba.edu.gr/AHEAD/Projects/Pages/STEP.aspx
