Christopher Graves

Research Interests

Business and Management International Business Management Accounting Small Business Management

APrf Christopher Graves

Associate Professor

School of Management

College of Business and Law

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Associate Professor Chris Graves is a Chartered Accountant, and director of the Family Business Education and Research Group [FBERG] at the University of Adelaide Business School. Chris has a Bachelors degree in Accountancy from the former South Australian Institute of Technology, a Masters in Economics from the University of New England, and a PhD from the University of Adelaide. Chris has been serving as an external member of the University Council's 'Audit, Compliance and Risk' sub-committee since 2014.Since joining the University of Adelaide in 2007, Chris has spent considerable time educating managers and owners of privately-owned firms. Each year, he is actively involved in improving the financial literacy of owners and managers through the University’s Executive Education and Masters of Business Administration programs. In 2015, in conjunction with Family Business Australia and the Government of South Australia, he introduced the NextGen eChallenge educational program to assist in the development of the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders in family-controlled enterprises. In 2015, he developed an owner leadership development program (‘Catalyst’) in conjunction with the Government of South Australia, industry associations and business owners.With regard to research, Chris publishes in top international journals such as Family Business Review on issues surrounding the management and performance of family-controlled SMEs. In 2006, he graduated with a PhD which investigated factors that limit the ability of family-owned SMEs to grow internationally, as well as the manner in which those obstacles can be overcome. His PhD research received an international award from the Family Firm Institute (FFI), based in the USA. In 2013, 2015, and 2017 he undertook the KPMG-Family Business Australia ‘National Family Business Survey’ and was an academic advisor for KPMG International’s study investigating the role of private equity financing in family-controlled enterprises around the world. He completed a 4 year term on the board of the International Family Enterprise Research Academy (www.ifera.org), the leading global network of family business scholars.As part of his specialisation in family business, Chris completed a Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in 2017.Chris is married with one child, enjoys cycling and is an active member of his local church.https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chris-graves-315bb2b/

Areas of research:

  1. Family Business [main focus]
  2. Small Business Management
  3. Internationalisation
  4. Management Accounting Systems
  5. Financial Management

Date Position Institution name
2011 - ongoing Director of the Family Business Education and Research Group [FBERG] The University of Adelaide

Date Institution name Country Title
2006 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
2001 University of New England Australia M.Econ.
1992 South Australian Institute of Technology Australia BA (Accountancy)

Date Title Institution Country
2016 - 2017 Graduate Diploma in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice Bower Place Australia

Date Title Institution name Country
2010 Chartered Accountant Chartered Accountants of Australia and New Zealand -

Year Citation
2025 Saleem, A., & Graves, C. (2025). Life satisfaction of family business members: The role of socioemotional wealth goals and psychological functioning. Journal of Small Business Management, 63(1), 1-36.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2024 Steen, A., Graves, C., D’Alessandro, S., & Shi, H. X. (2024). Managing digital assets on death and disability: An examination of the determinants of digital asset planning literacy. Australian Journal of Management, 49(4), 561-580.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2023 Pink, C., Wilkie, D., & Graves, C. (2023). The impact of brand perceptions on the post-to-purchase journey: a family branding perspective. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 32(5), 737-751.
DOI Scopus14 WoS10
2023 Xu, E. G., Yang, J. W., Shan, Y. G., & Graves, C. (2023). The influence of corporate governance on the performance of family-controlled firms: exploring the effects of legal jurisdiction. International Journal of Managerial Finance, 19(3), 615-644.
DOI Scopus7 WoS4
2022 Dodd, T., Graves, C., & Hentzen, J. K. (2022). Impact and University Business Training Courses Delivered to the Marginalized: A Systematic Review. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 21(3), 449-469.
DOI Scopus17 WoS12
2022 Xu, E. G., Graves, C., Shan, Y. G., & Yang, J. W. (2022). The mediating role of corporate social responsibility in corporate governance and firm performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 375, 1-14.
DOI Scopus40 WoS31
2022 Villios, S., Giancaspro, M., & Graves, C. (2022). A Qualitative Study of the use of Discretionary Trusts in Small Business and Family Enterprise. Australian Tax Law Bulletin, 6(3).
2022 Graves, C., Seet, P. -S., & Michiels, A. (2022). Understanding Family Firm Intentions to Use Private Equity: A Theory of Planned Behaviour Perspective. ENTREPRENEURSHIP RESEARCH JOURNAL, 0(0), 34 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3
2022 Graves, C., Shi, H., & Barbera, F. (2022). Family-centred non-economic goals and the internationalisation of family firms: Evidence from Australia. International Business Review, 31(4), 101974-1-101974-15.
DOI Scopus12 WoS13
2021 Xu, E. G., Graves, C., Shan, Y. G., & Yang, J. W. (2021). Corporate governance and innovation investment in publicly listed firms: the moderating effect of ownership type and legal jurisdiction. International Journal of Managerial Finance, 19(1), 21 pages.
DOI Scopus7 WoS6
2020 Becerra, M., Cruz, C., & Graves, C. (2020). Innovation in family firms: The relative effects of wealth concentration versus family-centered goals. Family Business Review, 33(4), 372-392.
DOI Scopus48 WoS46
2019 Shi, H. X., Graves, C., & Barbera, F. (2019). Intergenerational succession and internationalisation strategy of family SMEs: Evidence from China. Long Range Planning, 52(4), 1-18.
DOI Scopus44 WoS41
2015 Wang, Y., Poutziouris, P., & Graves, C. (2015). Social capital and competitive advantages of family businesses. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENTREPRENEURIAL BEHAVIOUR & RESEARCH, 21(6), 7 pages.
DOI WoS6
2014 Graves, C., & Shan, Y. (2014). An empirical analysis of the effect of internationalization on the performance of unlisted family and nonfamily firms in Australia. Family Business Review, 27(2), 142-160.
DOI Scopus88 WoS70
2013 Shan, Y., Graves, C., & Ali, H. (2013). Effect of board composition and ownership characteristics on fraud: evidence from Malaysian listed companies. South East Asia Research, 21(2), 323-342.
DOI Scopus22 WoS13
2013 Botero, I., Thomas, J., Graves, C., & Fediuk, T. (2013). Understanding multiple family firm identities: An exploration of the communicated identity in official websites. Journal of Family Business Strategy, 4(1), 12-21.
DOI Scopus83 WoS76
2012 Botero, I., Graves, C., Thomas, J., & Fediuk, T. (2012). Recruitment challenges in family firms: the effects of message content and type of applicant on organisational attractiveness. International Journal of Management Practice, 5(4), 343-360.
DOI Scopus11
2010 Glassop, L., & Graves, C. (2010). Family-owned businesses: Perspectives on Australian policy. International Journal of Management Practice, 4(3), 293-305.
DOI Scopus4
2010 Seet, P., Graves, C., Hadji, M., Schnackenberg, A., & Gustafson, P. (2010). The effect of finance, knowledge and empathy gaps on the use of private equity amongst family-owned SMEs. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 11(1), 85-104.
DOI Scopus16
2008 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2008). Determinants of the internationalization pathways of family firms: An examination of family influence. Family Business Review, 21(2), 151-167.
DOI Scopus327 WoS251
2006 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2006). Internationalization of Australian family businesses: A managerial capabilities perspective. Family Business Review, 19(3), 207-224.
DOI Scopus252 WoS199
2005 Thomas, J., & Graves, C. (2005). Internationalization of the family firm: The contribution of an entrepreneurial orientation. Journal of Business & Entrepreneurship, 17(2), 91-113.
2005 Smith, M., & Graves, C. (2005). Corporate Turnaround and Financial Distress. Managerial Auditing Journal, 20(3), 304-320.
DOI Scopus54 WoS41
2004 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2004). Internationalisation of the family business: a longitudinal perspective. International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 1(1), 7-27.
DOI Scopus119
2003 Medlin, J., Graves, C., & McGowan, S. (2003). Using diverse professional teams and a graduate qualities framework to develop generic skills within a commerce degree. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 40(1), 61-77.
DOI Scopus15 WoS12
2002 Smith, M., & Graves, C. (2002). Cunningham Construction: Bonus Schemes and Dysfunctional Behaviour. The Journal of Accounting Case Research, 7(1), 1-6.
2002 Smith, M., & Graves, C. (2002). Re-engineering recruitment to the accounting profession. Managerial Auditing Journal, 17(3), 117-121.
DOI Scopus3

Year Citation
2024 Graves, C. (2024). Family Office. In C. Horworth, & A. Disca Cruz (Eds.), Elgar Encyclopedia of Family Business (Vol. 1, 1st ed., pp. 196-201). Edward Elgar Publishing.
DOI
2023 Graves, C., Caspersz, D., & Thomas, J. (2023). An examination of the relationship between governance mechanisms and performance: Evidence from the Australian family business context. In H. Fleischer, & S. Prigge (Eds.), Family Firms and Family Constitution (1st ed., pp. 143-163). Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited.
DOI Scopus1
2021 Browne, M., Graves, C., & Barbera, F. (2021). Tahbilk: A fifth-generation Australian family wine businesss journey to sustainability. In P. Sharma, & S. Sharma (Eds.), Pioneering Family Firms’ Sustainable Development Strategies. Edward Elgar Publishing.
DOI
2021 Browne, M., Graves, C., & Barbera, F. (2021). Tahbilk: A fifth-generation Australian family wine business's journey to sustainability. In P. Sharma, & S. Sharma (Eds.), Pioneering Family Firms’ Sustainable Development Strategies (pp. 277-303). Massachusetts, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing.
DOI
2017 Graves, C. R., & Seet, P. (2017). Internationalisation through Investor, Advisory Board and Accountant Networks: An Exploratory Study of Australian SMEs. In N. Thirawat (Ed.), Internationalization and Managing Networks in the Asia Pacific (1 ed., pp. 143-168). United States: Elsevier.
DOI Scopus5
2016 Seet, P. -S., Graves, C., & Tan, W. -L. (2016). Inter-generational transitions of family businesses using private equity - Lessons for China and Australia from Chinese family-owned enterprises in Singapore. In C. Andressen (Ed.), China's Changing Economy: Trends, Impacts and the Future (1 ed., pp. 110-135). Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
2013 Seet, P., & Graves, C. (2013). Inter-generational transitions of Small-to-Medium-Sized Family-owned Enterprises (SMFEs) using Private Equity - What China can learn from the Australian experience. In C. Andressen, & P. Shu (Eds.), The Political Economy of Sino-Australia Trade (1 ed., pp. 87-112). Australia: Flinders University.

Year Citation
2022 Saleem, A., Barbera, F., Graves, C., & Hoffmann, A. (2022). What We Do For Love: Emotional Stewardship and Coping in Family Businesses. In Asia-Pacific Family Business Symposium 2022. Online.
2022 Saleem, A., Barbera, F., Graves, C., & Hoffmann, A. (2022). What We Do For Love: Emotional Stewardship and Coping in Family Businesses. In ANZAM Conference Proceedings. Gold Coast.
2020 Saleem, A., Graves, C., & Hoffmann, A. (2020). The Relationship between Socioemotional Wealth Goals’ Pursuit and Wellbeing in Family Businesses: A Self Determination Perspective. In Third Asia Pacific Family Business Symposium 2020: “Family Business: Challenges and Responses for the Next Decade”. Online.
2019 Wang, Y., Shi, H., Graves, C., & Lowe, C. (2019). Towards embeddedness via co-creation: A case study of family businesses in digitalisation from Australia. In The 19th Annual Conference of the International Family Enterprise Research Academy Proceedings. Bergamo, Italy.
2019 Graves, C., & Shi, H. (2019). Wealth concentration and the entrepreneurial orientation of family-controlled firms: An examination of the moderating effect of a formal board. In The 19th Annual Conference of the International Family Enterprise Research Academy Proceedings. Bergamo, Italy.
2018 Graves, C., Shi, H., & Barbera, F. (2018). Family-oriented non-economic objectives and the internationalisation of family firms. In UWA Family Business Symposium Proceedings. Perth, Australia.
2017 Graves, C. R., Barbera, F., & Caspersz, D. (2017). Let’s not forget about the family: Examining the interrelationships between family governance, family goals, and business performance. In https://ifera.org/. Zadar, Croatia.
2016 Graves, C., Thomas, J., & Caspersz, D. (2016). Influence of family and business governance mechanisms on family business performance. In Proceedings of the EURAM 2016 Annual Conference ' Manageable Cooperation?'. Paris, France.
2011 Reddaway, M., Goodman, S., & Graves, C. (2011). The role of accounting information in the management of winery SMEs: a review of the broader existing literature and its implications for Australia's wine industry. In Proceedings of the 6th AWBR International Conference (pp. 1-13). Bordeaux, France: AWBR; Bordeaux Management School.
2010 Gupta, V., Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2010). Understanding the internationalisation of family businesses: Lessons from the history of Chinese and Lebanese diaspora. In Proceedings of the Second Annual Conference of AAHANZBS (pp. 1-27). www: University of Sydney.
2010 Seet, P., & Graves, C. (2010). Solving the inter-generational succession problem of small-to-medium-sized family-owned enterprises (SMFES) with private equity - an exploratory study. In Proceedings of 11th Annual IFERA family business forum 2010 (pp. 1-16). online: IFERA family business forum 2010.
2010 Graves, C., & Seet, P. (2010). Attitudes towards private equity amongst SMEs: Does family matter?. In Proceedings of IFERA Lancaster 2010 (pp. 1-20). www: Lancaster University Management School.
2009 Seet, P., Graves, C., & Tan, W. (2009). Engaging with private equity - a study of Chinese small-to-medium-sized family-owned enterprises (SMFEs) in Singapore. In Proceedings of the 9th IFERA 2009 World conference (pp. 1-12). Cyprus: CIIM Business School.
2009 Graves, C. (2009). Internationalisation and financial performance: Finding from Australian family owned manufacturing enterprises. In Proceedings of the Global Perspective on Family Business Development (pp. 44-60). Cyprus: Cyprus International Institute of Management.
2009 Graves, C., & Seet, P. (2009). Internationalisation and financial performance: The family business experience. In Proceedings of the 6th AGSE Conference (pp. 1-12). CDROM: Swinburne.
2009 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2009). Internationalisation, organisational change and conflict within the family firm. In Proceedings of IFERA 2009 Cyprus (pp. 1-18). Cyprus: Cyprus International Institute of Management.
2008 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2008). An examination of the effect of internationalisation on the family firm. In Proceedings of the 8th Annual IFERA Conference (pp. 1-29). Netherlands: IFERA.
2008 Seet, P., Graves, C., Hadji, M., Schnackenberg, A., & Gustafson, P. (2008). Understanding the barriers to and opportunities for access to private equity among small-to-medium-sized family-owned enterprise (SMFE) owners in Australia: An exploratory study. In Proceedings of AGSE International Entrepreneurship Research Exchange (pp. 923-935). CD: AGSE.
2007 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2007). Exploring the determinants of the internationalisation pathways of family firms. In Franz Kellermanns (Ed.), Proceedings of the 7th Annual ifera Conference 2007 (pp. 1-28). Germany: European Business School.
2007 Seet, P., Graves, C., Schnackenberg, A., Gustafson, P., Hadji, M., & Tan, W. (2007). Knowledge and perception gaps between private equity and small-to-medium-sized family-owned enterprises (SMFES) - an exploratory study. In P. Mitra (Ed.), Proceedings of the IEF 7th International Conference (pp. 1-14). UK: University of Essex.
2006 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2006). Traditional vs. 'Born-again' pathways to internationalisation: The family business experience. In Claire Massey (Ed.), Proceedings of the 51st ICSB World Conference (pp. DROM1-CDROM13). CDROM: Small Enterprise Association.
2004 Thomas, J., & Graves, C. (2004). Internationalising the family firm as a demonstration of an entrepreneurial culture. In K. Campbell (Ed.), Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Proceedings (pp. CD-ROM 305-CD-ROM 328). CD-ROM: University of Central Arkansas.
2004 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2004). Internationalisation of the family business: A managerial capabilities perspective. In S. Tomaselli, & L. Melin (Eds.), Research Forum Proceedings: Family Firms in the Wind of Change (pp. 196-214). Lausanne, Switzerland: FBN - The Family Business Network.
2003 Graves, C., & Thomas, J. (2003). Venturing beyond the backyard: internationalisation of the family business. In J. Bailey, R. Barrett, G. Carr MacFie, E. Douglas, J. Harman, P. Hutchinson, . . . P. Sheldrake (Eds.), Proceedings of the Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand 16th Annual Conference (pp. www 1-www 19). CDROM: Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand.
2003 Smith, M., & Graves, C. (2003). Recovery Candidates and Turnaround Strategies. In Proceedings of the European Accounting Association Annual Conference, 2nd ¿ 4th April, 2003 (pp. 0 pages). Seville, Spain.

Year Citation
2021 Graves, C., & Barbera, F. (2021). KPMG Australia - 2021 Family Business Insights. Melbourne, Victoria.
2021 Graves, C., Steffens, P., Villios, S., Giancaspro, M., & Gordon, S. (2021). An Investigation into the Performance of the MSME Sector in South Australia and the Utility of Government Programs Aimed at Supporting the Sector. Adelaide.
2021 Graves, C. (2021). Insights from Family Enterprise Leaders - The Role of Family Offices in Activating Family Wealth to Stimulate Economic Growth. The University of Adelaide.
2020 Graves, C., & Barbera, F. (2020). The Role of Family Offices in Activating Family Wealth to Stimulate Economic Growth.
2018 Graves, C. R., Barbera, F., & Thomas, J. (2018). KPMG - Family Business Australia 2017/18 National Family Business Survey.
2017 Steen, A., D'Alessandro, S., Graves, C., Perkins, M., Genders, R., Barbera, F., . . . Davis, N. (2017). Estate Planning in Australia.
2015 Graves, C. R., Thomas, J., & Caspersz, D. (2015). KPMG - Family Business Australia 2015 National Family Business Survey. Melbourne, AUS: KPMG Australia.
2013 Graves, C. R., & Thomas, J. (2013). KPMG - Family Business Australia 2013 National Family Business Survey. Online: KPMG Australia.
2007 Graves, C. (2007). Venturing beyond the backyard: Growing the family business internationally. Family Business Australia.

 

2020 KPMG Australia - Australian Family Business Insights (funding amount available on request)

2020 University of Western Australia COVD-19 Research Grant Round 2 (with Donella Caspersz) “A Different Normal? Responsible Leadership in Australian Family Business During COVID 19’’ ($5,000). 

2019 Government of South Australia / Mutual Trust Pty. Ltd. - Australian Family Office Research Project ($100,000)

2017 KPMG Family Business Australia - National Family Business Survey (funding amount available on request)

2016 Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners - Estate and Wealth Planning Survey ($20,000 - together with Charles Sturt University)

2015-2016 South Australian Department of State Development Fostering an Entrepreneurial Culture in the NextGen of Family Firms, ($30,000)

2015 KPMG Family Business Australia - National Family Business Survey (funding amount available on request)

2013 KPMG Family Business Australia - National Family Business Survey (funding amount available on request)

2006 CPA Australia CPA Small Business Research Grant - Family-owned SMEs and Private Equity – Closing the Knowledge and Perception Gap’ ($10,000)

Program Director: Graduate Certificate in Family Enterprise

Areas of teaching: Family Business, Small Business Management, Management, Accounting, Governance

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2025 Co-Supervisor Tax Policies Supporting Small Business Development in Australia: Encouraging Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Growth Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Mark Evans
2025 Co-Supervisor Stewardship behaviors and employee well-being: A conceptual framework and empirical examination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nicholas Alex Gerald Marzohl
2025 Principal Supervisor Leadership influence moments in complex adaptive practice Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Nicole Cheesman-Dutton
2025 Co-Supervisor Stewardship behaviors and employee well-being: A conceptual framework and empirical examination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nicholas Alex Gerald Marzohl
2025 Principal Supervisor Leadership influence moments in complex adaptive practice Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mrs Nicole Cheesman-Dutton
2025 Co-Supervisor Tax Policies Supporting Small Business Development in Australia: Encouraging Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Growth Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mr Mark Evans
2024 Co-Supervisor The role of identity in family firm succession Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Gary He
2024 Co-Supervisor The role of identity in family firm succession Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Gary He
2023 Principal Supervisor Governing the Family Enterprise: Models, Practices and Outcomes Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mrs Lyndie Jane Van Orsouw
2023 Principal Supervisor Governing the Family Enterprise: Models, Practices and Outcomes Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mrs Lyndie Jane Van Orsouw

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2023 - 2025 Principal Supervisor Strategic responses of family firms to external disruption: Examining the role of family and dynamic capabilities with evidence from China Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yao Zhou
2019 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Advancing the Understanding of Family Businesses’ Psychological Foundations Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Ayoosha Saleem
2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor The Story is in the Bottle: How SEW Influences the Business Models of Family Wine Businesses Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Michael Holgate Browne
2010 - 2014 Co-Supervisor The harmonisation of GAAP and GFS financial reporting in the Australian public sector: Why and how did it happen? An agenda setting perspective Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Sabine Schuhrer
2010 - 2018 Co-Supervisor The Role of the User in Accounting for SME Wine Businesses Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Ms Melanie Jayne Reddaway

Date Role Board name Institution name Country
2011 - 2014 Member Baptist Churches of South Australia Assembly Board Baptist Churches of South Australia Australia
2011 - 2014 Board Member International Family Enterprise Research Academy Board International Family Enterprise Research Academy Netherlands

Date Role Committee Institution Country
2018 - ongoing Member Teaching and Learning Committee The University of Adelaide Business School Australia
2018 - ongoing Member Honours / Masters of Business Research Committee The University of Adelaide Busines School Australia
2016 - ongoing Member Faculty of Profession’s Student Misconduct Tribunal The University of Adelaide Australia
2014 - ongoing Member University of Adelaide Audit, Compliance and Research Committee The University of Adelaide Australia
2012 - 2014 Chair International Family Enterprise and Research Academy External Relations Sub-Committee International Family Enterprise Research Academy Netherlands
2011 - 2014 Chair Baptist Churches of South Australia - Audit, Compliance and Risk Committee Baptist Churches of South Australia Australia

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2015 - 2015 Editor International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour and Research - Special Issue [Vol.21(6)] http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journal/ijebr United Kingdom
2012 - 2012 Editor International Journal of Management Practice - Special Issue [Vol. 5(4)] Inderscience United Kingdom
2010 - ongoing Member Journal of Family Business Strategy Editorial Board Elsevier United States
2010 - ongoing Member Journal of Small Business Management Editorial Review Board Elsevier United States
2008 - ongoing Member Family Business Review Editorial Board Family Firm Institute (USA) United States

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