Second Runner up: IBS-PFBI Awards for Best case in Managing Family Business in the International Case Study Conference 2015 organized by IBS Hyderabad in collaboration Parampara Family Business Institute, IBSAF and Universiti Utara Malaysia

The Rothschilds: Maintaining 200-year-old legacy of Family Business

Case Code: FBM004
Case Length: 14 Pages
Period: 1970-2015
Pub Date: 2015
Teaching Note: Available

Price: Rs.600
Organization: Rothschild Group
Industry: Banking
Countries: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy
Themes: Family-managed Business

Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts

Abstract

The case chronicles the 200 year old legacy of the family business of the Rothschild Family. Started by Mayer Amschel Rothschild in 1790, in Frankfurt, the banking business of the family ruled Europe for centuries (dominated financially). The 5 sons of Mayer strategically placed in different financial centers of Europe took advantage of International events, thus creating their initial wealth. The case focuses on the reasons for the success and failure of family business at different times. It explores the concepts of family values, Succession Planning, inheritance planning, growing entrepreneurs within the family, controlling ownership of business, and adapting to changing times.

Issues

The case is structured to achieve the following teaching objectives:

Learn about the success of the family business of the Rothschilds, who are credited with amassing the greatest concentration of private wealth the western world had ever seen, and their strategic moves
Understand the model of the family business of the family, initiated by Mayer, founder of the business that had been carried on for generations
Understand how the family beliefs, culture, and faith in religion played an important role in decision making of the owners

Introduction

Early Days of the Rothschild Family

Expanding the Business

Crises and Opportunities

Continuity and Transition

The Family Enterprise Challenges

Looking Ahead

Exhibits