What role does sustainability play in the continuity of the family business? And what is the influence of the future generation on this? These are questions that researcher Prof. Dr. Anita van Gils of Maastricht University will put to both current directors and (potential) succeeding generations of a large number of Dutch family businesses in the coming period. Van Gils: “This year's research focuses on ‘ecological sustainability,’ a topic that is important in the strategy of all three research partners. Among other things, we hope to identify what motivates different family generations to invest in ecological sustainability, what opportunities and threats they have to overcome in doing so, and what results they experience. The goal is to share the knowledge gained through presentations and publications with families, advisors, scientists and governments.”

Sustainability is also high on the agenda at BDO. For Joost Vat, partner at BDO, the research topic fits perfectly with the conversations he has with family businesses about a sustainable business model. Vat: “Family businesses are unique of their kind, precisely because of the combination of business and family. As far as we are concerned, family businesses therefore deserve all the attention and support they need to remain future-proof. With this cooperation we want to contribute to that. The fact that we may do that in the coming years with Maastricht University and the wonderful family business AFAS Software, guarantees the quality and connection to the perception of family businesses.”

Arnold Mars, CFO at AFAS Software on the partnership: “As a family business, we know from our own experience the unique challenges and opportunities that family businesses face. We have been working closely with other family businesses for years and therefore have insight into the themes that concern them, such as transfer, innovation, continuity, growth and sustainability. This collaboration with Maastricht University and BDO enables us to further expand and share our shared knowledge. Through this research, we want to understand even better how family businesses can innovate and grow together. We strongly believe in the power of family businesses and are happy to commit to supporting them in their success and contribution to a sustainable future.”