We talked with Dr. Marlene Dieleman, Professor of Family Business at NUS Business School. Dr. Dieleman highlights the pivotal role of family businesses in the global commercial arena. She also explains the pedagogical approach she uses for her family business MBA course, which emphasizes interactivity, authentic case studies, and collaboration.
The term “family business” often conjures images of small to medium-sized local enterprises grappling with succession disputes. However, massive corporations like Walmart, Samsung, Tata Group, and Porsche are all family firms. While it’s true that about 70% of family-run businesses fail or are sold before the second generation can take over, it’s essential not to overlook the resilient 30% that have demonstrated their capability to flourish in the long term.
Dr. Marlene Dieleman is a Professor of Family Business at NUS Business School, part of the National University of Singapore. Dr. Dielemen tells MBAGRADSCHOOLS that “family businesses are so important… They will be your clients if you’re a banker, they will be your suppliers if you’re in a multinational. Even if you don’t currently work for, or own a family business, chances are very high that you will deal with them.” (02:20)
There is a lot to say about the importance of family firms in Asia’s fastest-growing economies. Take Singapore as an example, a city-state renowned for its forward-thinking approach and deep-rooted family values. Family businesses play a vital role in Singapore’s thriving economy. Over half of Singapore’s stock exchange companies are family firms. This trend is mirrored across Southeast Asia, including countries like India and South Korea, and in cities like Hong Kong.
By understanding the dynamics and intricacies of family enterprises, MBA graduates are better equipped for interactions with these businesses. Moreover, the knowledge gleaned from studying family businesses can serve as a precious resource when launching or managing their own ventures in the future.
Studying family enterprises also offers a panoramic view of their global significance and influence. Firms listed on the EY Family Business Index are some of the fastest-growing in the world. Notably, these businesses have a slightly higher proportion of female executives than Fortune Global 500 companies. Exploring family businesses’ distinct challenges and triumphs can provide insights into broader economic patterns.
Dr. Marlene Dieleman champions a varied pedagogical approach to cater to the different learning styles of her MBA students. By blending various instructional techniques, she ensures a comprehensive educational experience. Her curriculum is enriched with gamified activities, interactive discussions, and multimedia content. This is all in service of providing a holistic view of the topic of family business. The approach fosters a dynamic classroom environment that spurs dialogue, critical analysis, and a profound grasp of the subject matter.
“I really believe people learn in different ways, and therefore, I have to offer them a set of different ways to learn in my class.” She says. (00:32)
One example is her “street game,” where students head to the streets to visit different family businesses. Teams take “Insta-worthy” pictures of buildings to unlock videos explaining the stories behind them. “It ends with a riddle, so it’s a bit inspired by the escape room experience.” (01:16)
Another way Dr. Dieleman makes her class engaging is by incorporating real-life speakers and case studies. “I bring some of the owners of family firms as speakers in my class,” she says, “and I ensure that they fit the topic. Sometimes I’ve even written a case about them. That’s really powerful.” These speakers’ varied insights and experiences enrich Dr. Dieleman’s classes, adding layers of depth and nuance. (02:00)
Dr. Dieleman’s approach to family business education aims to create an “aha” moment for her students. She explains she doesn’t want to just share knowledge that students passively consume. Instead, she wants them to learn actively. “I mostly use my classes for what I call a collaborative exploration journey,” she explains. (01:44) This dynamic approach enriches the educational experience and prepares students to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.
Diversity is a hallmark of NUS Business School and a critical component of Dr. Dieleman’s class on family business. Diversity is vital to creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment in the classroom, where peer-to-peer learning expands perspectives. As Dr. Dieleman explains, “It’s a learning experience for me as well. I love learning from my MBA students.” (03:24)
Given that families come in all shapes, sizes, and cultural backgrounds, understanding and appreciating diversity is especially important when studying family business. This emphasis on diversity, therefore, not only fosters a more inclusive learning environment but also equips students with a broader, more comprehensive understanding of the global landscape of family businesses.
As Dr. Dieleman’s family business course demonstrates, the academic study of family enterprises is evolving. Business schools like NUS are embracing virtual reality, collaborative platforms, and authentic case studies to create a more interactive and engaging learning experience. At NUS, Dr. Dieleman’s commitment to collaboration, diverse perspectives, and student-centric approaches creates an enriching family business studies experience.
Find out more about the family business MBA course at NUS Business School by reaching out to current students or graduates through the NUS MBAGRADSCHOOLS Ambassador Page.
