Evaluating managerial round-tables for family business: The case study of forum in australia

Abstract

This paper discusses how „FORUM‟ can be an effective tool for owners and managers of small to medium sized family businesses to meet the management challenges that will take their family businesses into the future. FORUM is a managerial round table that is sponsored by the peak body for family and private businesses in Australia, Family Business Australia (FBA). The paper outlines a conceptual framework for understanding the value proposition of FORUM for family business owners and managers, and presents preliminary research findings undertaken with family business owners, managers and facilitators. We associate value of FORUM to these stakeholders with the positive psychology states of hope, optimism, resiliency and self-confidence as described by Luthans et al. (2005). Apart from affirming aspects of our conceptual framework, a significant finding from our research was the role that the FORUM facilitator plays in shaping an effective FORUM experience.