Is keeping control in the family good for business, not to mention good for the families? A recent study suggests that the odds are clearly not in favor of corporate dynasties. David Reeb, professor of finance at Temple’s Fox School of Business, and a colleague at American University examined the performance of 403 family-controlled companies from 1992 to 1999. They found that in the first generation, when the founder is in control, these companies tend to outshine their peers. The problems start when the baton is passed from one generation to the next.