Insight Mosaic e-Megazine (First Edition)

Introduction Family businesses are institutions that integrate economic activity with enduring relationships, traditions and shared values. Around the world, these businesses help sustain family and livelihoods, preserve cultural identity and generate wealth across generations. From the Islamic perspective, the family is regarded as the foundational unit of society. In fact, the health and stability of this unit is intrinsically linked to the wellbeing of the broader community. But what makes family businesses unique compared to non-family firms? Scholars describe this unique quality as familiness, a term that refers to the bundle of resources, values and capabilities that families bring into their business ventures. The concept of familiness highlights the value of family ties, trust and a shared sense of purpose, which can enhance a company’s resilience and long-term outlook. However, Dr. Nadiah Mahmad Nasir is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Business & Communication, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP). She is a PhD graduate from the Faculty of Economics and Muamalat, USIM, with a specialization in family business studies and strategic management. She is currently active in research in the fields of entrepreneurship and halal management. FAMILINESS THE SECRET INGREDIENT BEHIND FAMILY BUSINESS SUCCESS Nadiah Mahmad Nasir Senior Lecturer, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, nadiahnasir@unimap.edu.my Khairul Akmaliah Adham Professor in Management, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) ka@usim.edu.my 28