Request for Proposals: Research on ESG Practices in Family-owned Businesses [DRAFT]
The Family Business Research Foundation (FBRF) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for new research on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in family firms. The proposed project will build on the learning and recommendations from a recent review of the evidence base, practice guidance, and regulatory frameworks relating to ESG and family firms. The FBRF’s recent research report, ESG in Family Firms: A Review of Research, Regulations, and Practice Guidance, includes a comprehensive review of the existing research literature on ESG in family businesses, and examines UK and EU regulations, voluntary standards, and best practices relating to ESG. It highlights the strategic role of ESG in driving sustainable growth, fostering innovation, and building long-term stakeholder trust. The full report can be downloaded here: https://www.fbrf.org.uk/reports/esg-in-family-firms
The report highlights gaps in the research base relating to ESG in family firms and points to the need for new guidance, practical tools, and frameworks tailored to the unique circumstances of family firms. The proposed research will build on the insights from this report by conducting new research to explore ESG practices, priorities, and challenges among UK family firms. The aim is to produce actionable, evidence-based recommendations and practical guidance to support family firms in integrating ESG into their strategies and operations.
About the project
The key objectives for this project are:
Research: Investigate the ESG practices, priorities, and challenges of family businesses in the UK.
Drivers and Barriers: Identify the key drivers motivating family firms to adopt ESG practices and the barriers hindering their engagement.
Impact: Assess how ESG practices influence business performance, stakeholder engagement, and long-term resilience in family firms.
Recommendations and Tools: Develop tailored, practical guidance and tools for UK family businesses to enhance their ESG integration.
Policy Implications: Provide evidence-based policy recommendations to support the wider adoption of ESG practices in family businesses.
Deliverables
Comprehensive Report: A detailed report (40–60 pages) summarizing the findings, insights, and recommendations from the research.
Practice Guidance: A user-friendly toolkit or guide tailored to UK family businesses, outlining steps and best practices for ESG integration. This will take the form of a Challenges Guide to add to the FBRF’s series of practical guidance designed for family firms. Family Business Challenges - practical guidance for UK family business — Family Business Research Foundation
Research and Policy Briefing: A short FBRF Research and Policy Briefing summarizing key findings, and practice, policy, and research recommendations.
Dissemination Outputs (tbc): Presentations, infographics, or other materials for dissemination to stakeholders, including family business owners, advisers, policymakers, and researchers.
Scope of Work
Applicants are invited to submit proposals detailing how they will achieve the project objectives and deliverables. If this project is something that you might be interested in, then please submit a fully costed research proposal by email to us at: info@fbrf.org.uk
The deadline for submission is: <DATE>
The proposal should be a maximum of 1,000 words in length (excluding CVs) and provide detail on each of the following elements:
Research Questions and Objectives: A clear outline of the research questions and objectives to be addressed.
Methodology: A description of the research methodology, design, methods, and evidence sources you will use to address these research questions.
Please note that the FBRF adopts the European definition of family business. A firm, of any size, is defined as a family business, if
The majority of decision-making rights are in the possession of the natural person(s) who established the firm, or in the possession of the natural person(s) who have acquired the share capital of the firm, or in the possession of their spouses, parents, children or children’s direct heirs.
The majority of decision-making rights are indirect or direct.
at least one representative of the family or kin is formally involved in the governance of the firm; and
The listed companies meet the definition of family enterprise if the person who established or acquired the firm (share capital) or their families or descendants possess 25 percent of the decision-making rights mandated by their share capital.
Timeline and Milestones: The outline of a project plan, including key stages, milestones and deliverables.
Project outputs: Please outline how you would approach the project output(s) described above and indicate who will be responsible for writing up the analysis, their credentials, and their experience of writing research reports and/or practice guidance for business, policy, and practitioner audiences.
Dissemination and communications: Your ideas for communicating learning from the project, including an outline of how you propose to engage with family firms and work with the FBRF to disseminate the findings from the research.
Project team: Provide information on the project team, including roles, responsibilities, and relevant experience. CVs of members of the project team should be attached to your proposal, including details of any qualifications and experience relevant to the project. Applicants should indicate who will take the lead on the project.
Budget: Include a detailed budget with a breakdown of costs for staff time, expenses, and other project-related activities. Note that the FBRF is a charity and therefore does not cover indirect costs.
Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Relevance and Feasibility: Alignment with the project objectives and feasibility of the proposed approach.
Methodology: Robustness and appropriateness of the research design and methods.
Team Expertise: Experience and qualifications of the project team.
Value for Money: Realistic and cost-effective budget.
Impact and Dissemination: Quality and reach of the dissemination and engagement.
About the Family Business Research Foundation
The FBRF is a registered charity since 2009 and was established to foster greater understanding of family firms and their contributions to the UK economy and society. The FBRF’s mission is to provide evidence-based research and practical guidance to support family businesses and inform policymaking. Click here for more information about the charity.
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the project or would like further information, please contact Dr Martin Kemp at info@fbrf.org.uk
We look forward to receiving your proposals and thank you for your interest in this project.