DFG funds new research project

A research project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) is being conducted at the Chair. The aim of this project is to analyze the media reactions of the announcement of layoff decisions of family businesses and non-family businesses.

Existing literature shows that family-owned companies generally enjoy a higher reputation than companies with a different ownership structure. However, there is very limited knowledge about how this reputational bonus affects how media perceive announcements of strategic decisions. The project therefore aims to answer the following questions: do the media react less negatively to announcements of layoffs when they are made by family businesses (vs. non-family businesses)? Do family businesses communicate layoffs differently than non-family businesses? What are the performance consequences of associated media reactions?

The project duration is three years.

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