Hermut Kormann

Hermut Kormann serves as an Extraordinary Professor (außerplanmäßiger Professor) at Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen, where he holds the position of External Lecturer in the Department of Corporate Management & Economics. He is also affiliated with the Friedrichshafen Institute for Family Businesses (FIF), where he has been active since 2009. His academic work bridges practical business experience with scholarly research, having spent two decades as a non-family executive in a major family business and previously serving as CEO of Voith AG.

Professor Kormann's research focuses exclusively on the complex dynamics of family businesses, with particular emphasis on governance structures, ownership strategies, and intergenerational transitions. His work explores how family businesses can maintain strategic coherence while navigating the unique challenges of family ownership, including succession planning, wealth preservation, and the establishment of effective governance mechanisms. He examines both the technical aspects of family business governance and the underlying family dynamics that influence business decisions.

His publication record reveals a consistent thematic focus on practical governance solutions for family enterprises, with particular attention to advisory boards, profit distribution policies, and decision-making structures. The research demonstrates increasing sophistication in addressing the multidimensional nature of family business governance, moving from foundational concepts to more nuanced examinations of specific governance challenges. His work consistently bridges academic theory with practical business applications.

As an active practitioner-scholar, Kormann serves on multiple supervisory boards and advises family business owners on strategic matters. His dual perspective as both academic researcher and industry practitioner provides unique insights into the operational realities of family business governance. He contributes significantly to the development of governance frameworks specifically tailored to the distinctive needs of family-owned enterprises.