Acta Oeconomica Pragensia 2018, 26(3):70-89 | DOI: 10.18267/j.aop.605

Strategic Philanthropy: Literature Review

Klára Kubíčková
University of Economics, Prague, Faculty of Business Administration (klara.kubickova@vse.cz)

This literature review article aims to facilitate a better understanding of the concept of strategic philanthropy as a controversial topic at the crossroads of business and society. The strategic role of corporate philanthropy has been emphasised by both academics and practitioners and is a topic of long-standing discussion as is the original concept of corporate philanthropy. This article summarises the different definitions, approaches and categorisations that have been adopted by management scholars working in the field of corporate philanthropy and published in the top academic journals. Four main lines of inquiry were distinguished within the literature: the evolution and essence of strategic philanthropy, theoretical foundations of strategic philanthropy, empirical foundations of strategic philanthropy and the measurement of the impact of strategic philanthropy. The results show that the concept of strategic philanthropy is still evolving and different approaches to define and theorise it can be found. The implications for further research are provided at the end of the article.

Keywords: strategic philanthropy, corporate philanthropy, share value, impact measurement
JEL classification: M14

Published: September 1, 2018  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Kubíčková, K. (2018). Strategic Philanthropy: Literature Review. Acta Oeconomica Pragensia26(3), 70-89. doi: 10.18267/j.aop.605
Download citation

References

  1. Amato, L. H. and Amato, C. H. (2012). Retail Philanthropy: Firm Size, Industry, and Business Cycle. Journal of Business Ethics, 107(4), pp. 435-448, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-1048-x Go to original source...
  2. Atkinson, L. and Galaskiewicz, J. (1988). Stock Ownership and Company Contributions to Charity. Administrative Science Quarterly, 33(1), pp. 82-100, https://doi.org/10.2307/2392856 Go to original source...
  3. Bansal, P. and Gao, J. (2006). Building the Future by Looking to the Past: Examining Research Published on Organizations and Environment. Organization & Environment, 19(4), pp. 458-478, https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026606294957 Go to original source...
  4. Bartkus, B. R., Morris, S. A. and Seifert, B. (2002). Governance and Corporate Philanthropy: Restraining Robin Hood? Business & Society, 41(3), pp. 319-344, https://doi.org/10.1177/000765030204100304 Go to original source...
  5. Block, E. S., Glavas, A., Mannor, M. J. and Erskine, L. (2017). Business for Good? An Investigation into the Strategies Firms Use to Maximize the Impact of Financial Corporate Philanthropy on Employee Attitudes. Journal of Business Ethics, 146(1), pp, 167-183, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2930-8 Go to original source...
  6. Brammer, S. and Millington, A. (2005). Corporate Reputation and Philanthropy: An Empirical Analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 61(1), pp. 29-44, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-7443-4 Go to original source...
  7. Brammer, S. and Millington, A. (2008). Does It Pay to Be Different? An Analysis of the Relationship Between Corporate Social and Financial Performance. Strategic Management Journal, 29(12), pp. 1325-1343, https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.714 Go to original source...
  8. Bruch, H. and Walter, F. (2005). The Keys to Rethinking Corporate Philanthropy. MIT Sloan Management Review, 47(1), pp. 49-55.
  9. Buchholtz, A. K., Amason, A. C. and Rutherford, M. A. (1999). Beyond Resources: The Mediating Effect of Top Management Discretion and Values on Corporate Philanthropy. Business & Society, 38(2), pp. 167-187, https://doi.org/10.1177/000765039903800203 Go to original source...
  10. Campbell, D. and Slack, R. (2008). Corporate 'Philanthropy Strategy' and 'Strategic Philanthropy': Some Insights from Voluntary Disclosures in Annual Reports. Business & Society, 47(2), pp. 187-212, https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650306297941 Go to original source...
  11. Cantrell, J. E., Kyriazis, E. and Noble, G. (2015). Developing CSR Giving as a Dynamic Capability for Salient Stakeholder Management. Journal of Business Ethics, 130(2), pp. 403-421, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2229-1 Go to original source...
  12. Carroll, A. B. (1979). A Three-Dimensional Conceptual Model of Corporate Performance. Academy of Management Review, 4(4), pp. 497-505, https://doi.org/10.5465/AMR.1979.4498296 Go to original source...
  13. Carroll, A. (2016). Carroll's Pyramid of CSR: Taking Another Look. International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 1(1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s40991-016-0004-6 Go to original source...
  14. Carrigan, M. (1997). The Great Corporate Giveaway - Can Marketing Do Good for the 'Do-Gooders'? European Business Journal, 9(4), pp. 40-46.
  15. Chen, J. C., Patten, D. M. and Roberts, R. W. (2008). Corporate Charitable Contributions: A Corporate Social Performance or Legitimacy Strategy? Journal of Business Ethics, 82(1), pp. 131-144, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9567-1 Go to original source...
  16. Crane, A., Palazzo, G., Spence and L. J., Matten, D. (2014). Contesting the Value of 'Creating Shared Value'. California Management Review, 56(2), pp. 130-153, https://doi.org/10.1525/cmr.2014.56.2.130 Go to original source...
  17. Cranenburgh, K. C. V. and Arenas, D. (2014). Strategic and Moral Dilemmas of Corporate Philanthropy in Developing Countries: Heineken in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Business Ethics, 122(3), pp. 523-536, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1776-1 Go to original source...
  18. Cuypers, I. R. P., Koh, P.-S. and Wang, H. (2015). Sincerity in Corporate Philanthropy, Stakeholder Perceptions and Firm Value. Organization Science, 27(1), pp. 173-188, https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2015.1030 Go to original source...
  19. Dennis, B. S., Buchholtz, A. K. and Butts, M. M. (2009). The Nature of Giving: A Theory of Planned Behavior Examination of Corporate Philanthropy. Business & Society, 48(3), pp. 360-384, https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650307305368 Go to original source...
  20. De Wit, B. and Meyer, R. (2014). Strategy: Process, Content, Context - An International Perspective. Andover, UK: Cengage Learning EMEA.
  21. Dienhart, J. W. (1988). Charitable Investments: A Strategy for Improving the Business Environment. Journal of Business Ethics, 7(1-2), pp. 63-71, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00381999 Go to original source...
  22. Emerson, J. (2003). The Blended Value Proposition: Integrating Social and Financial Returns. California Management Review, 45(4), pp. 35-51, https://doi.org/10.2307/41166187 Go to original source...
  23. Emerson, J. and Bonini, S. (2005). Maximizing Blended Value-Building Beyond the Blended Value Map to Sustainable Investing, Philanthropy and Organizations, [online]. Available at: http://www.blendedvalue.org/wp-content/uploads/2004/02/pdf-max-blendedvalue.pdf [Accessed 18 Jun. 2017]
  24. Emerson, J., Bonini, S. and Brehm, K. (2003). The Blended Value Map: Tracking the Intersects and Opportunities of Economic, Social and Environmental Value Creation, [online]. Available at: http://www.blendedvalue.org/wp-content/uploads/2004/02/pdf-bv-map.pdf [Accessed 18 Jun. 2017]
  25. Epstein, E. M. (1989). Business Ethics, Corporate Good Citizenship and the Corporate Social Policy Process: A View from the United States. Journal of Business Ethics, 8(8), pp. 583-595, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00383027 Go to original source...
  26. Freeman, R. E. (2010). Managing for Stakeholders: Trade-Offs or Value Creation. Journal of Business Ethics, 96(S1), pp. 7-9, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0935-5 Go to original source...
  27. Freeman, R. E., Wicks, A. C. and Parmar, B. (2004). Stakeholder Theory and 'The Corporate Objective Revisited'. Organization Science, 15(3), pp. 364-369, https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1040.0066 Go to original source...
  28. Friedman, M. (1970). The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits. The New York Times Magazine, [online]. Available at: http://www.colorado.edu/studentgroups/libertarians/issues/friedman-soc-resp-business.html [Accessed 18 Jun. 2017]
  29. Fry, L. W., Keim, G. D. and Meiners, R. E. (1982). Corporate Contributions: Altruistic or For-Profit? The Academy of Management Journal, 25(1), pp. 94-106, https://doi.org/10.2307/256026 Go to original source...
  30. Gan, A. (2006). The Impact of Public Scrutiny on Corporate Philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 69(3), pp. 217-236, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9087-4 Go to original source...
  31. Gautier, A. and Pache, A.-C. (2015). Research on Corporate Philanthropy: A Review and Assessment. Journal of Business Ethics, 126(3), pp. 343-369, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1969-7 Go to original source...
  32. Gourville, J. T. and Rangan, V. K. (2004). Valuing the Cause Marketing Relationship. California Management Review, 47(1), pp. 38-57, https://doi.org/10.2307/41166286 Go to original source...
  33. GRI (Global Reporting Initiative), (2016). GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, [online]. Globalreporting.org. Available at: https://www.globalreporting.org/standards [Accessed 23 Apr. 2018]
  34. IRIS (Impact Reporting and Investing Standards), (2016). Social Impact Objectives (OD6247), [online]. Available at : https://iris.thegiin.org/metric/4.0/OD6247 [Accessed 23 Apr. 2018]
  35. Hess, D., Rogovsky, N. and Dunfee, T. W. (2002). The Next Wave of Corporate Community Involvement: Corporate Social Initiatives. California Management Review, 44(2), pp. 110-125, https://doi.org/10.2307/41166125 Go to original source...
  36. Husted, B. W., Allen, D. B. and Rivera, J. E. (2010). Governance Choice for Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence From Central America. Business & Society, 49(2), pp. 201-215, https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650308315504 Go to original source...
  37. Jensen, M. C. (2002). Value Maximization, Stakeholder Theory, and the Corporate Objective Function. Business Ethics Quarterly, 12(2), pp. 235, https://doi.org/10.2307/3857812 Go to original source...
  38. Kabongo, J. D., Chang, K. and Li, Y. (2013). The Impact of Operational Diversity on Corporate Philanthropy: An Empirical Study of U.S. Companies. Journal of Business Ethics, 116(1), pp. 49-65, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1445-9 Go to original source...
  39. Lerner, L. D. and Fryxell, G. E. (1994). CEO Stakeholder Attitudes and Corporate Social Activity in the Fortune 500. Business & Society, 33(1), pp. 58-81, https://doi.org/10.1177/000765039403300104 Go to original source...
  40. Lev, B., Petrovits, Ch. and Radhakrishnan, S. (2009). Is Doing Good Good for You? How Corporate Charitable Contributions Enhance Revenue Growth. Strategic Management Journal, 31(2), pp. 182-200, https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.810 Go to original source...
  41. Li, S., Song, X. and Wu, H. (2015). Political Connection, Ownership Structure, and Corporate Philanthropy in China: A Strategic-Political Perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 129(2), pp. 399-411, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2167-y Go to original source...
  42. Liket, K. and Maas, K. (2016). Strategic Philanthropy: Corporate Measurement of Philanthropic Impacts as a Requirement for a 'Happy Marriage' of Business and Society. Business & Society, 55(6), pp. 889-921, https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650314565356 Go to original source...
  43. Liu, G. and Ko, W.-W. (2011). An Analysis of Cause-Related Marketing Implementation Strategies Through Social Alliance: Partnership Conditions and Strategic Objectives. Journal of Business Ethics, 100(2), pp. 253-281, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0679-7 Go to original source...
  44. Maas, K. and Liket, K. (2011). Talk the Walk: Measuring the Impact of Strategic Philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 100(3), pp. 445-464, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-010-0690-z Go to original source...
  45. Marquis, C. and Lee, M. (2013). Who Is Governing Whom? Executives, Governance, and the Structure of Generosity in Large U.S. Firms. Strategic Management Journal, 34, pp. 483-497, https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2028 Go to original source...
  46. McGoey, L. (2014). The Philanthropic State: Market-State Hybrids in the Philanthrocapitalist Turn. Third World Quarterly, 35(1), pp. 109-125, https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2014.868989 Go to original source...
  47. Mescon, T. S. and Tilson, D. J. (1987). Corporate Philanthropy: A Strategic Approach to the Bottom-Line. California Management Review, 29(2), pp. 49-61, https://doi.org/10.2307/41165238 Go to original source...
  48. Montiel, I. (2008). Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability: Separate Pasts, Common Futures. Organization & Environment, 21(3), pp. 245-269, https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026608321329 Go to original source...
  49. Montiel, I. and Delgado-Ceballos, J. (2014). Defining and Measuring Corporate Sustainability: Are We There Yet? Organization & Environment, 27(2), pp. 113-139, https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026614526413 Go to original source...
  50. Morris, R. I. and Biederman, D. A. (1985). How to Give Money Intelligently. Harvard Business Review, 63(6), pp. 151-159.
  51. Nicholls, J., Lawlor, E., Neitzert, E. and Goodspeed, T. (2012). A Guide to Social Return on Investment, [online]. Available at: http://socialvalueint.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/The-SROI-Guide-2012.pdf [Accessed 3 Aug. 2017]
  52. Porter, M. E. and Kramer, M. R. (1999). Philanthropy's New Agenda: Creating Value. Harvard Business Review, 77(6), pp. 121-130.
  53. Porter, M. E. and Kramer, M. R. (2002). The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy, [online]. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2002/12/the-competitive-advantage-of-corporate-philanthropy [Accessed 12 Mar. 2017]
  54. Porter, M. E. and Kramer, M. R. (2006). Strategy and Society: The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility, [online]. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2006/12/strategy-and-society-the-link-between-competitive-advantage-and-corporate-social-responsibility [Accessed 12 Mar. 2015]
  55. Porter, M. E. and Kramer, M. R. (2011). The Big Idea: Creating Shared Value. How to Reinvent Capitalism - and Unleash a Wave of Innovation and Growth, [online]. Available at: http://www.academia.edu/12407876/HBR.ORG_The_Big_Idea_Creating_Shared_Value_How_to_reinvent_capitalism_and_unleash_a_wave_of_innovation_and_growth_by_Michael_E._Porter_and [Accessed 16 Aug. 2017]
  56. Post, J. E. and Waddock, S. A. (1995). Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships for Economic Progress, Philanthropy and Economic Development. In R. F. America, Philanthropy and Economic Development, pp. 167-191. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
  57. Rangan, V. K., Chase, L. and Karim, S. (2015). The Truth About CSR. Harvard Business Review, [online]. Available at: https://hbr.org/2015/01/the-truth-about-csr [Accessed 12 Mar. 2018]
  58. Ricks, J. M. and Williams, J. A. (2005). Strategic Corporate Philanthropy: Addressing Frontline Talent Needs Through an Educational Giving Program. Journal of Business Ethics, 60(2), pp. 147-157, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-1175-3 Go to original source...
  59. Ricks, J. M. 2012. The Effects of Strategic Corporate Philanthropy on Consumer Perceptions, [online]. Available at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2166&context=gradschool_dissertations [Accessed 18 Mar. 2018]
  60. Saiia, D. H., Carroll, A. B. and Buchholtz, A. K. (2003). Philanthropy as Strategy: When Corporate Charity 'Begins at Home'. Business & Society, 42(2), pp. 169-201, https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650303042002002 Go to original source...
  61. Sánchez, C. M. (2000). Motives for Corporate Philanthropy in El Salvador: Altruism and Political Legitimacy. Journal of Business Ethics, 27(4), pp. 363-375, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006169005234 Go to original source...
  62. Seifert, B., Morris, S. A. and Bartkus, B. R. (2003). Comparing Big Givers and Small Givers: Financial Correlates of Corporate Philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), pp. 195-211, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1024199411807 Go to original source...
  63. Sigurthorsson, D. (2012). The Icelandic Banking Crisis: A Reason to Rethink CSR? Journal of Business Ethics, 111(2), pp. 147-156, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1207-8 Go to original source...
  64. Smith, N. C. (1994). The New Corporate Philanthropy. Harvard Business Review, [online]. Available at:https://hbr.org/1994/05/the-new-corporate-philanthropy [Accessed 12 Mar. 2018]
  65. Smith, C. (1996). Desperately Seeking Data: Why Research is Crucial to New Corporate Philanthropy. In D. F. Burlingame, Corporate Philanthropy at the Crossroads, pp. 1-6. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
  66. Sundaram, A. K. and Inkpen, A. C. (2004). Stakeholder Theory and 'The Corporate Objective Revisited': A Reply. Organization Science, 15(3), pp. 370-371, https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1040.0067 Go to original source...
  67. Useem, M. (1988). Market and Institutional Factors in Corporate Contributions. California Management Review, 30(2), pp. 77-88, https://doi.org/10.2307/41166548 Go to original source...
  68. Windsor, D. (2006). Corporate Social Responsibility: Three Key Approaches. Journal of Management Studies, 43(1), pp. 93-114, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2006.00584.x Go to original source...
  69. Wood, D. J. (1991). Corporate Social Performance Revisited. The Academy of Management Review, 16(4), pp. 691-718, https://doi.org/10.2307/258977 Go to original source...
  70. Zhang, R., Zhu, J., Yue, H. and Zhu, C. (2010). Corporate Philanthropic Giving, Advertising Intensity, and Industry Competition Level. Journal of Business Ethics, 94(1), pp. 39-52, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0248-0 Go to original source...
  71. Zhang, M., Ma, L., Su, J. and Zhang, W. (2014). Do Suppliers Applaud Corporate Social Performance? Journal of Business Ethics, 121(4), pp. 543-557, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1735-x Go to original source...

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.