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Managing the Family Business - Strategy, Governance and Change

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 22:13:42 GMT

Lecturer	Elisa Sauerbier, M.Sc. (University of Mannheim), Dr. Theresa Bührle (NHH), Dr. Kostadin Kolarov (UNWE)
Course Format	Elective
Course Credit	6 ECTS
Language	English
Assessment	Final exam (50 %), group presentation (40 %), lecture participation (10%)
Restricted access	yes

The course aims to highlight the significance of family firms in both research and practical applications, emphasizing their unique contributions to the business landscape. Students will explore the specific characteristics that differentiate family firms from non-family businesses, such as governance structures and decision-making processes, while also becoming aware of the diverse forms these enterprises can take. The course will introduce relevant theories from family firm research and demonstrate their practical applications, equipping students with the knowledge needed to navigate this sector effectively embedded in an international context.

The curriculum features guest lectures from industry experts and case presentations for practical insights. This hybrid format combines in-person and online teaching, promoting collaboration among students from the ENGAGE.EU network between Mannheim, Bergen and Sofia while fostering academic and intercultural development.

Course Outline

The course is structured into four block seminar days spread over five weeks in FSS 2026. Each block day includes two theoretical lectures delivered by each of the three teaching instructors from Mannheim University, NHH and UNWE followed by a guest lecture from a speaker representing a renowned, local family business, providing practical context to the theoretical concepts. Afterward, students work collaboratively in small groups to analyze case studies related to the lecture topics, preparing for the final presentation. On the last block day, students present their group case studies.

As family businesses are the central focus of this course, we are thrilled to host distinguished guest speakers from prominent organizations within the European family business ecosystem. There will be one guest lecture in each location which will be live streamed at the other locatios. These include:

Day 1 (Mannheim): Hauke Paasch (CFO), Vorwerk
Day 2 (Bergen): Hakon Lund (Owner & CEO), LundGroup
Day 3 (Sofia): Nikola Zikatanov (Owner) & Militsa Zikatanova (CEO), Villa Melnik

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Critically evaluate governance structures in family versus non-family firms using established frameworks.
Assess the complexities of succession planning in family businesses and its impact on long-term sustainability.
Formulate strategic approaches for value creation in family firms by harnessing distinctive family assets, while addressing challenges in innovation and internationalization.
Diagnose common crises in family businesses and devise preventive measures alongside effective response strategies.
Work collaboratively to analyze case studies and recommend tailored solutions for the unique challenges faced by family enterprises.

Prerequisites

There are no mandatory prerequisites except for the course application: Short application letter (approx. 100 words) stating your motivation to participate in the course and submitting your current CV. (see more below)

A foundational knowledge of management principles, corporate governance, and business strategy, along with experience in case study analysis or group collaboration, is recommended for this course.

Registration & Application

You can apply and register for the course at your earliest convinience.

The course registration comprises two important steps:

Registration via
Submission of CV and a short motivational letter (max. 100 words) that explains why you want to participate

Please submit your application via mail to Assoc. Prof. Kostadin Kolarov (contact provided below). Please note that we will only consider students which have submitted motivation letter and CV (optional) per mail AND registration by the following form: Managing the Family Business - Strategy, Governance, and Change (Spring 2026) 6 ECTS – Fill in form. Applicants who have submitted CV will be treated with priority.

Since you will receive the feedback if you are accepted to the course only after the registration period, please refrain from sending Emails beforehand regarding the status of your registration. Course capacity is strictly limited as the format involves groupwork.

!!! Important!!!

This registration process only applies to student of the UNWE. If you are a student of University of Mannheim or NHH please refer to your home university's website to learn about the respective process.

Attendance

Attendance is mandatory and all students are required to attend all classes at their home university in person (exceptions are made for students who provide a medical certificate or have an exam). Unexcused absence will lead to individual grade deductions. The lectures that are not held live at the home university will be streamed in respective facilities at the other universities. Updates on the exact procedure will follow soon.

Place and Time

The lectures will be shared among the University of Mannheim, NHH, and UNWE in a hybrid format. This means that one lecture will be held on site at the respective home university. On the remaining lecture days, the session will be broadcast, with all students and the lecturer gathering together in one room at each location.

Bootcamp Day 1 (Mannheim):
12.03.2026 ; Place: Aurora Hall
Bootcamp Day 2 (NHH):
19.03.2025 ; Place: Aurora Hall
Bootcamp Day 3 (UNWE):
26.03.2025 ; Place: Aurora Hall
Bootcamp Day 4 (Final presentation day):
16.04.2025 ; Place: Aurora Hall

The zoom links for joining the hybrid lectures will be shared in time before the lectures.

If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Assoc. Prof. Kostadin Kolarov by e-mail: kkolarov@unwe.bg.

Digital Start-Up Business

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:15:07 GMT

The Master's programme in Digital Start-Up Business was developed in response to the growing interest and needs of society in preparing highly educated digital entrepreneurs, capable of not only identifying but also creating entrepreneurial opportunities and, on their basis, launching and developing new, competitive, growth-potential digital enterprises.

The objectives of the Master's programme in Digital Start-Up Business are:

Preparation for an entrepreneurial career: The programme aims to prepare students to become successful entrepreneurs who can create and manage their own digital startups.
Development of an entrepreneurial spirit: The programme aims to develop the entrepreneurial spirit of students by teaching them how to recognize opportunities, solve problems and innovate in the digital environment.
Understanding digital technologies and innovations: The programme provides fundamental knowledge about the latest digital technologies and innovations that are important for the digital startup business.
Development of startup management skills: The goal is to teach students how to manage digital startups, including project, resource and financial management.
Acquisition of marketing skills: The programme aims to teach students how to create and implement marketing strategies that help develop the market and attract customers.
Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment: The Master’s programme aims to prepare students to adapt to changes in the technological landscape and business environment.
Collaboration and leadership skills: The programme aims to develop teamwork and leadership skills that are important for the successful management of digital startups.
Preparation for funding and investment: Students should learn how to attract funding and investment for their startup projects.
Acquisition of ethical and legal knowledge: The programme should teach students to align the activities of their startups with ethical and legal standards.
Practical experience and networking: The programme can provide opportunities for internships and collaboration with partners, as well as help students expand their professional network.

These goals will help students prepare for a successful career in the field of digital startups and entrepreneurship in the digital environment.

Graduates of the Digital Start-Up Business specialty have the opportunity for successful professional realization as:

Creators of their own digital start-up businesses or developing their existing digital businesses.
Participants in various structures - management boards, boards of directors, associations, etc.
Consultants in the management and development of digital enterprises.
Experts, managers and policy makers in various governmental and non-governmental organizations supporting digital startup business.
Experts and managers in incubators, accelerators, technology parks and other organizations whose priorities include promoting digital entrepreneurship.
Developers, coordinators and managers of national and international projects in the field of digital entrepreneurship.

Graduates of the Digital Start-Up Business specialty have the opportunity to continue their studies in the PhD programme in Entrepreneurship.

Business Entrepreneurship

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 17:09:08 GMT

Entrepreneurship Specialty with Specialization in Business Entrepreneurship, Master's Degree

The Master's programme in Entrepreneurship, specialization in Business Entrepreneurship, was developed in response to the growing interest and needs of society in preparing a new generation of highly educated entrepreneurs, capable not only of identifying, but also of creating entrepreneurial opportunities and, on their basis, of launching and developing new competitive enterprises with growth potential in a dynamic, including international, business environment. The programme combines new achievements in entrepreneurial science and good practices with established traditions and achievements in entrepreneurial education (since March 1991 at the UNWE and Bulgaria):

Implemented numerous mainly international and European projects with participants from leading European universities;
Feedback available from many years of training in the Master's programme for the Entrepreneurship with specialization in Family Entrepreneurship;
Implemented numerous publications, conferences, seminars, trainings;
Received recognitions (including from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), Brussels).

The Master's programme is an upgrade of the Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship, taught at the UNWE since 2007, enriching and supplementing the knowledge and skills acquired in this degree with the latest achievements in research, consulting and teaching activities of the academic staff of the Department of Entrepreneurship (as the main teaching team in the Master's programme).

ENGAGE.EU Signature Course

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:56:43 GMT

A signature course is a course that has been newly developed by three or more ENGAGE.EU universities around grand social challenges.

The Department of Entrepreneurship has the pleasure to offer in cooperation with the University of Mannheim and NHH (Bergen) to all the students in Master's degree programmes at the UNWE participation in the Signature course in Managing the Family Business to be conducted in the Summer semester 2026.

About the details of the course, please visit:

Managing the Family Business - Strategy, Governance and Change

Bachelor's Degree Programme

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:55:54 GMT

Entrepreneurship Specialty

The Entrepreneurship specialty was created in response to the serious changes that have occurred and are occurring in the economic and social environment of business in a national and international context (including the country's accession to the EU). The catalyst for this is the EU's declaration of entrepreneurship as one of the eight competences of the European and the priority development of entrepreneurial education and training.

The main goal of the Entrepreneurship specialty is to provide methodological and practical knowledge and skills that support students with the potential to create and develop their own competitive business. At the same time, training in the specialty forms an entrepreneurial culture, spirit and responsibility among students, giving them the opportunity to occupy other positions that require self-initiative and risk-taking.

Master's Degree Programmes

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:29:28 GMT

Entrepreneurship Specialty with Business Entrepreneurship Specialization

Digital Start-Up Business

Research

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:01:31 GMT

The department develops intensive scientific activity in the field of entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as in the field of corporate entrepreneurship and management in large companies.

About Us

UNWE — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 16:00:28 GMT

The Department of Entrepreneurship was established to provide a methodical educational process in entrepreneurship at the UNWE with a view to building highly prepared entrepreneurs and managers in a dynamic business environment - including an international, multicultural one.

The staff of the department includes both young, with development potential, lecturers, and staff with extensive experience in teaching, research and consulting in the field of entrepreneurship and small business - professors, associate professors, senior assistants, as well as guest lecturers - professors and associate professors. Some of them hold important positions in our and international organizations supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs.

In their work, the teaching staff relies on the results achieved within the framework of national and international projects, training and consulting of companies. In this regard, the department works in close cooperation with the Institute of Entrepreneurship of the UNWE, where the lecturers are engaged in research projects.

The main scientific interests of the lecturers of the department are in the field of: creating and managing a new business, including the so-called. startup companies (enterprises with high growth potential); strategic entrepreneurial management and SME growth; entrepreneurial culture; business networks; psychology of entrepreneurial activity; digital business and marketing; specific types of entrepreneurship – youth, female, art and creative, social, corporate. The department participates in the training of bachelors, masters and doctoral students, as well as entrepreneurs and managers from practice. It has developed contacts with related departments and specialties at universities from different countries.

The department is well recognized not only nationally, but especially internationally through its publications, participation in international conferences and seminars, national and international projects. The department's lecturers have trained American students from Florida International University in Miami, Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan, students and entrepreneurs from technical universities in Mexico, entrepreneurs from Serbia and North Macedonia, and others.

Since 2024, the department, with the help of the Institute of Entrepreneurship of the UNWE, has been organizing summer schools in entrepreneurship for students from India.

Education

UNWE — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 13:26:57 GMT

The Department of Entrepreneurship organizes and conducts training in the Entrepreneurship specialty, Bachelor's degree, specializations in the Master's degree in Business Entrepreneurship and Family Entrepreneurship, and the Master's program Digital Startup Business.

The Entrepreneurship specialty was launched in 2007 and is one of the pioneers in Europe. It was created in response to the needs of business and the growing demands on university education.

Publications

UNWE — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 19:07:58 GMT

Lecturers

UNWE — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 19:04:45 GMT

Managing Body

UNWE — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 19:04:16 GMT