This paper analyzes the question if and how founding families influence the capital structure decision of their firms. By using a unique, partially hand-collected panel dataset of 660 listed German companies (5,135 firm years) over the period 1995 to 2006, we come up with the following results:...

We analyse whether family firms differ from non-family firms in terms of business segment and geographical diversification or the application of currency hedging instruments. This analysis is based on a unique dataset of 339 publicly listed companies (1,561 firm years) in the German Prime...

Private equity investments in family firms are so far only barely covered in academic research. In particular, the initiation process leading towards a successful private equity deal has to be better understood. Thereby, not only the formal process steps but also the personal relationships...

In 2002 a comprehensive survey of German venture capital and private equity firms was conducted. Based on a follow-up survey in 2005 the development of the German venture capital and private equity market can be shown. This paper summarizes major findings concerning deal flow, screening, due...

Despite considerable interest of the general public, the effects of private equity and venture capital investments on employment are not well understood. This study aims at investigating into the scope of total employment in these companies, employment development over the last years and quality...

Fund-of-fund investments in private equity are becoming increasingly popular due to their potential to diversify across several private equity funds. However, due to the illiquidity and opaqueness of private equity markets only limited knowledge is available on the actual risk profile of...

This paper studies the motives behind private equity acquisitions of publicly listed firms in continental Europe. As corporate control and ownership in continental Europe tend to be highly concentrated, we argue that it is important to take into account the incentives of the incumbent large...

Privately-held family businesses are usually characterized by concentrated ownership and the involvement of the family in the management as well as the control of the company. Theories of family control offer arguments both for governance benefits as well as costs due to the family involvement....

Purpose: This papers analyses the case study of UK fashion retailer New Look and focuses on the impact of private equity on corporate governance, employment and leverage after the public-to-private transaction in 2003. Design/methodology/approach: We follow a single case study approach to offer...