This paper examines decision-making models used by private equity investors in their selection of family firms. Building on literature on investment criteria at start-up stage, a series of hypotheses is put forward, based on decision-making, strategic management and buyout theories. The theoretical model is tested through an experimental design for which data have been collected among 41 respondents based in Italy. Findings are analysed using hierarchical linear models, in order to investigate which criteria are used, assess their relative importance and test whether decision-making models are individual-specific or influenced by the firm individuals work for.

English summary: There is only limited academic attention paid to the topic of Private Equity Investments in Family Businesses although the topic is becoming increasingly relevant for both entity types. In order to advance the field, this study focuses on the organizational metamorphosis of Family Businesses as a response to a Private Equity investment. In specific, changes in performance and its potential determinants were researched by means of eight case studies. The results indicate a neutral to beneficial performance development when Private Equity companies acquired a majority stake and a neutral development in case of a minority investment. Analyses further revealed that the positive performance improvement correlated with an organizational context that nurtured higher levels of individual discipline and stretch as well as organizational values that became aligned with market imperatives. German description: Investitionen von Private-Equity-Firmen in Familienunternehmen werden fur beide Parteien zunehmend relevanter. Um diesem Gebiet Rechnung zu tragen, wurde die Veranderung der wirtschaftlichen Leistungsfahigkeit von Familienunternehmen im Zuge einer Private Equity Investition in acht Fallstudien untersucht. Die Resultate zeigen eine neutrale bis positive Veranderung der Leistungsfahigkeit wenn Private-Equity-Hauser eine Mehrheitsbeteiligung in Familienunternehmen erwerben. Bei Minderheitsbeteiligungen konnte keine weitreichende Veranderung festgestellt werden. Weiterhin zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass die untersuchten Mehrheitsbeteiligungen einen Kontext entwickeln, welcher das individuelle Leistungsverhalten des Managements zu einem hoheren Masse fordert. Dies beruht vor allem darauf, dass sich jene Firmen zunehmend Umwelt- und Marktbedingungen offnen und neue Operationsweisen adaptieren.

The decisions of private equity firms affect the development of industries and national economies, yet little is known about how these decisions are made. Mark Broere uses proprietary survey data from 136 private equity firms (venture capital and buyout) located in the US, Canada, and Europe to explore determinants and rules of their decision-making. The results exhibit new facts about their objectives, success measures, decision criteria, exit decision power and rules. A discussion in light of existing financial theory highlights, e.g. the role of reputation, and potential pitfalls in the decision-making of practitioners. The author suggests that private equity firms might improve their performance by a more careful choice of decision rules and criteria and by a more consistent application of these across varying decision types.

Family firms are of particular importance for many economies. We know little about family firm buyouts and how they are different from non-family firm buyouts. Oliver Ahlers investigates this under-researched topic. After a comprehensive literature review on family firm buyouts, the focus of his book is on the key steps of the investment process such as family firm valuation and negotiations between PE investors and family sellers. Additionally, it is investigated how “soft factors” such as trust, reputation or commitment could play an important role when PE and family firms interact. Throughout the book, differences between family and non-family firm buyouts are highlighted.

Private equity minority investments have become an increasingly attractive financing alternative for family firms. However, admitting a private equity investor as a minority shareholder seems to contradict with the objective of the owner family to preserve their continuous and unlimited influence on the businesses since they must at least partially cede control over the firm to the private equity investor. Therefore, the purpose of this book is to identify the primary decision drivers for family firm entrepreneurs in seeking private equity financing despite the therein related partial loss of control. By giving special consideration to the potential cooperation mechanisms between the shareholders, this book goes beyond the scope of previous studies. Cooperation is thereby considered as a prerequisite for the success of minority investments because due to its minority position, the private equity investor is not able to implement its value creation strategy against the will of the family firm entrepreneur.