Emotions have a physiological, subjective, and expressive/motivational dimension. They are often triggered when issues of concern such as needs, and goals are threatened or fulfilled. Being neglected for a long time in management science as irrational interference, they are now considered an integral part of family business life. The intersection of family, business, and ownership system create a special complexity of emotions in the family business. Each system has their own emotion framing and display rules. Other factors like family ownership logic, socio-emotional wealth, and norms and values create an emotionally charged context. Breaches of psychological contracts and lack of emotion communication give rise to strong emotions and emotional messiness. Emotions can influence strategic business decisions, foster attachment and positive family and family business functions, or energize conflicts. Emotion work and the social sharing of emotions can lead to a healthy emotion climate.

Schnell zeigen sich im Alltag Grenzen unserer Kommunikationsfähigkeit, die uns behindern und bei der Erreichung unserer Ziele stören. Markus Plate stellt die Grundlagen der zwischenmenschlichen Kommunikation dar. Dabei werden die Erkenntnisse der systemischen und humanistischen Klassiker von Watzlawick, Rogers und Satir über Schulz von Thun und Rosenberg (Gewaltfreie Kommunikation) zum Harvard-Verhandlungskonzept, Reframing, den zentralen Fragetechniken des NLPs und dem Dialog verständlich Schritt für Schritt erläutert. Übungen zu den verschiedenen Konzepten und weitere Literaturempfehlungen runden jedes Kapitel ab. Lesende können sich ein Repertoire an Techniken aneignen, um sich in interaktiven Situationen flexibler zu verhalten und die sozialen Kompetenzen zu verbessern.

Purpose – This chapter explores the m1eaning and significance of family business social responsibilities (FBSRs) using a metasystem approach, placing emphasis on the role of the family.

Design/Methodology/Approach – We employ a revelatory case study to investigate the complexity of family business (corporate) social responsibility. The main case, a German shoe retailer, is supplemented by other case illustrations that provide additional insights into FBSR.

Findings – To fully understand social responsibility in a family firm context, we need to include social initiatives that go beyond the actual family business as a unit. This FBSR connects family members outside and inside the business and across generations. As FBSR is formed through individual and familylevel values, its character is idiosyncratic and contrasts the often standardized approaches in widely held firms.

Practical Implication – Family businesses need to go beyond the business as such when considering their engagement in social responsibility. Family ownership implies that all social initiatives conducted by family members, regardless if they are involved in the firm or not, are connected. This includes a shared responsibility for what family members do at present and have done in the past.