ABSTRACT
The case is about an Italian entrepreneurial family and its second generation family hotel. The protagonist is Rosa, who is torn between letting her daughter work in the family business and selling it. The historical background, values and rules of the family and the modes by which the family team was able to exploit environmental entrepreneurial opportunities are explained in detail. Hotel Stella is an organization which functioned according to informal family logics and dynamics. The firm’s management and organization have been based on the family members’ roles and connections. This was particularly important during the economic downturn in recent years. Hotel bookings are decreasing and it is time for innovation. The composition of the family has also changed over time. The Hotel Stella case triggers family business issues such as succession, innovation, strategy, and human resources and it is a comprehensive and stimulating real life example about a family and a business: these two strictly intertwined spheres can be the secret behind proactive and innovative entrepreneurial acts, but they can also hide risk-avoiding fears.
