Research
The more we know, the more we can help you and your family owned business.
We conduct research through an annual study. Our findings will be published in peer review journals and also will be posted on this website in a format family business leaders can utilize. You can participate by joining our database. In this section you can read the results of our 2014 survey in the Family Owned Business Report.
The Report
Get the 2014 Family Owned Business Report.
Since 1999, FOBI has helped many businesses thrive and succeed in the West Michigan area. We become part of the family owned business community, and likewise, the family owned business community becomes part of ours.
Whether we’re helping foster a healthy economy for family owned businesses or FOBI affiliates are helping us fund others, we are all creating an impact for the many family owned businesses in our area.
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Picture of Family Owned Business Institute report cover page
FOBI Database
As family businesses continue to impact the economy in our region, we seek to learn more about each of them – and each of you.
The FOBI database is created to collect information from Michigan businesses with the goal of providing resources to assist family owned businesses (FOBs), monitoring and improving the health of Michigan FOBs, and conducting research. The 2015 research projects are sponsored by the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), Lancaster University's Management School (LUMS) in the UK, the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University (WMU) and the Family Business Alliance of Grand Rapids. All FOBI research projects are approved by the Human Research Review Committee at GVSU.
By joining the FOBI database, be assured that your contact information and responses are held STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. We will not sell your information or share it with outside entities or any institutional development office. This database is used to request your participation in FOBI research projects. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Results of all research projects will be posted on this website.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Economic Impact Study
FOBI is currently conducting an economic impact study about family owned businesses in West Michigan in the fall of 2015.
Family Business Philanthropy Study
FOBI is conducting a study in collaboration with Michael Moody at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at GVSU. This study will explore the philanthropic impact of family owned businesses in West Michigan and how and why family owned businesses conduct philanthropy.