TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– This editorial aims to provide an overview of the current state of research in the UK and proposes some future directions for research for family business scholars.Design/methodology/approach– This article is an editorial with commentary about recent developments in understanding research gaps in the field of family business research.Findings– The paper discusses the areas where future research in family business is required focusing on three levels: the organization; the individual; and the community.Research implications– The paper suggests that there are many unanswered questions which merit further and future research.Practical implications– The future of family business research is not in question. The paper posits that there are areas of study in family business which may particularly benefit from taking a cross‐disciplinary approach and suggests that family business researchers might consider exploring theory in the entrepreneurship, small business, sociology, economics and industrial relations areas to gain insights and support for theoretical development in family business.Originality/value– This article highlights recent UK‐focused discussions regarding the future research directions and gaps in family business research. It suggests there are some emerging areas which require renewed focus particularly related to strategic decision making in family businesses from the organization, individual and social/community perspectives. VL - 1 IS - 2 SN - 2043-6238 DO - 10.1108/20436231111167183 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/20436231111167183 AU - Collins Lorna AU - O’Regan Nicholas PY - 2011 Y1 - 2011/01/01 TI - Editorial: research futures: a UK perspective T2 - Journal of Family Business Management PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 80 EP - 88 Y2 - 2024/05/04 ER -