In our field of family business studies, the title of a scholarly publication serves as a crucial gateway to the complexities and dynamics unique to these enterprises. Crafting an engaging title demands a delicate dance between clarity, originality, and relevance. We have gathered a few principles that might be helpful to transform a mere descriptor into a compelling invitation for scholarly exploration, with a specific focus on family business research.

1. Clarity and Precision: Guiding the Way Through Family Business Dynamics

Navigating the intricate landscape of family business research requires a title that acts as a guiding light. Clarity is paramount, and the title should be a roadmap, illuminating the main focus without entangling the reader in a web of complexity.

Consider the example of the most cited article in family business research (according to Rovelli et al., 2021): “A resource-based framework for assessing the strategic advantages of family firms” by Habbershon & Williams (1999). This title communicates not only the central theme of strategic advantages of family firms but also the specific theoretical context of the resource-based view. It serves as a beacon, guiding researchers and practitioners interested in comparing and evaluating the idiosyncratic advantages of family firms. Looking at the second most cited article by Berrone, Cruz, and Gomez-Mejia (2012) “Socioemotional Wealth in Family Firms: Theoretical Dimensions, Assessment Approaches, and Agenda for Future Research” we recognize the currently dominant structure of titles that provides clarity. Introducing the focal object of interest, e.g., theoretical and/or empirical phenomenon, separated by all so present colon, followed by the form of contribution of the article, e.g., the theoretical or practical contribution or the empirical case’s offerings to the conversation (i.e., the part in front of the colon).

2. Relevance, Keywords, and Coherence: Elevating Family Business Discourse

In the realm of family business studies, the title is not just a promise—it’s an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing discourse. Relevance, originality, and strategic use of keywords elevate the impact of the title.

Relevance ensures that the title accurately reflects the substance of the paper within the context of family businesses. For instance, a title like “Family ownership, board independence, and R&D investment” (Chen & Hsu, 2009) sets clear expectations about exploring ownership, boards, and R&D investments. Not more, not less. Keywords play a pivotal role in ensuring discoverability within the family business niche. If the research centers around governance in family enterprises, strategic inclusion of keywords like “family ownership” and “board independence” ensures visibility among scholars and practitioners exploring similar themes. The coherent use of keywords throughout the whole paper is crucial to live up to the expectations the title has created. Coherence also strengthens and clarifies the paper’s contributions.

3. Originality and Intriguing Language: Triggering Curiosity into Family Business Realities

While rigor is essential in family business research, there’s an appreciation for a touch of intrigue. Family businesses embody unique challenges and dynamics, making them inherently fascinating. Choosing language that sparks curiosity and engages readers elevates a title from a mere description to an invitation.

Originality in family business research is particularly beneficial. Titles should signal that the research offers a unique perspective within the familial and entrepreneurial context. Consider “Addressing the Elephant in the Room: Disentangling Family Heterogeneity to Advance Family Business Research” (Jaskiewicz & Dyer, 2017). This title not only focuses on the critical aspect of family heterogeneity but also introduces a metaphor, adding a layer of originality to the discourse.

Consider the title “Why Can’t a Family Business Be More Like a Nonfamily Business?: Modes of Professionalization in Family Firms” (Stewart & Hitt, 2012). Here the authors introduce a question that indicates both a dichotomy and some sort of preference, introducing a sense of tension due to an imbalance within that dichotomy. This type of language not only captures attention but also sets the stage for an engaging exploration of the complexities within family-owned businesses.

4. Accurate Representation and Aesthetics: Reflecting the Essence of Contributions

In family business research, the title is a covenant with the reader. It should accurately represent the main findings or contributions of the research, reflecting the essence of family business studies. Misleading titles can lead to dissatisfaction and erode the trust fundamental to scholarly discourse.

Aesthetics, while not the primary focus, contribute to the overall appeal of the title. In the context of family business research, a well-phrased and aesthetically pleasing title not only resonates with the tone of the research but also adds a layer of sophistication. For example, “Doing More with Less: Innovation Input and Output in Family Firms” (Duran et al., 2016) introduces a dilemma that is riddled with practical and theoretical (im-)possibilities, introducing a context wherein such a dilemma might be solved and overcome. Expectations crop up. The clarity and intrigue in language and structure result in a short and precise title. The title represents the core of the paper’s contribution, creating the aesthetics of balance and order.

In conclusion, crafting an engaging title for an academic publication in family business research is an art and a science. It requires a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges faced by family enterprises, a consideration of the target audience within this niche, and a mastery of language that captures the familial and entrepreneurial essence. By embracing clarity, originality, and relevance, a title can become a beacon that not only guides researchers in their work but also invites readers to explore the intricate dynamics of family-owned businesses. In a field where tradition meets innovation and kinship intertwines with entrepreneurship, a thoughtfully crafted title stands as a testament to the depth and significance of the research it represents. Wishing you the best of luck and lots of fun with your next title: Finishing a blog post right.