Charting the landscape of corporate philanthropy: A bibliometric exploration of trends and themes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp160-184Abstract
Background and Purpose: This study aims to identify the key areas and current dynamics of Corporate Philanthropy (CP) while providing recommendations for future research directions.
Methodology: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 558 studies retrieved from Scopus, covering research activities on CP from 1955 to 2022. High-impact articles and authors were identified based on their citation scores and significance within the field. The study also explored contemporary issues, highlighted limitations in the existing literature, and proposed new avenues for future inquiry.
Findings: The study provides an in-depth analysis of CP, highlighting recent discoveries and shifts in perspectives. While earlier studies often portrayed CP as disadvantageous to companies due to financial outflows, critiques from agency theory revealed instances where managers misused CP to justify unnecessary expenditures. However, more recent research demonstrates that CP provides tangible benefits, including additional revenue streams, enhanced visibility, and stronger market presence, ultimately benefiting stakeholders and contributing to corporate sustainability. Directions for future research are outlined to further explore these dynamics.
Contributions: This research is among the first to utilize Harzing and VOSviewer software for analyzing the evolution of CP studies. The review identifies key trends in annual publications, prolific authors, highly cited papers, leading countries, top institutions, and prominent sources. The insights generated provide a robust foundation for advancing the study of CP and fostering new research agendas.
Keywords: Corporate philanthropy, bibliometric analysis, citation network, Scopus, systematic literature review.
References
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Casais, B., & Santos, S. (2018). Corporate propensity for long-term donations to non-profit organisations: An exploratory study in Portugal. Social Sciences, 8(1), 1-10.
Cha, W., & Rajadhyaksha, U. (2021). What do we know about corporate philanthropy? A review and research directions. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, 30(3), 262-286.
Dash, A., & Mohanty, S. K. (2023). The mediating effect of a firm’s corporate reputation and sustainability practices in translating CSR into competitive performance in Indian ESG companies. Society and Business Review, 18(4), 691-709.
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Gautier, A., & Pache, A. C. (2013). Research on corporate philanthropy: A review and assessment. Journal of Business Ethics, 126(3), 343–369.
Georgiadou, E., & Nickerson, C. (2021). Marketing strategies in communicating CSR in the Muslim market of the United Arab Emirates: Insights from the banking sector. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 13(7), 1417-1435.
Godfrey, P. C. (2005). The relationship between corporate philanthropy and shareholder wealth: A risk management perspective. Academy of Management Review, 30(4), 777–798.
Grant, A. M. (2012). Giving time, time after time: Work design and sustained employee participation in corporate volunteering. Academy of Management Review, 37(4), 589–615.
Halme, M., & Laurila, J. (2009). Philanthropy, integration or innovation? Exploring the financial and societal outcomes of different types of corporate responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 325–339.
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Holtbrügge, D., & Oberhauser, M. (2019). CSR orientation of future top managers in India. Journal of Indian Business Research, 11(2), 162–178.
Jamali, D., Jain, T., Samara, G., & Zoghbi, E. (2020). How institutions affect CSR practices in the Middle East and North Africa: A critical review. Journal of World Business, 55(5), Article 101127.
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Ji, M., & Lv, W. (2022). Demonstration zones reform and corporate philanthropy: Evidence from China. Economic Modelling, 115(6), 105954.
Kanagaretnam, K., Xiu, Z., & Zhou, Z. (2019). Does culture matter for corporate philanthropic giving? Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 55(10), 2365–2387.
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Lam, S.-S., Hung, H.-Y., & Choi, S. P.-M. (2022). Corporate philanthropy and firm performance relationship – Socio-political and government control effects. Asian Journal of Business and Accounting, 15(1), 41–70.
Liket, K., & Simaens, A. (2015). Battling the devolution in the research on corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 126(2), 285–308.
Masulis, R. W., & Reza, S. W. (2015). Agency problems of corporate philanthropy. Review of Financial Studies, 28(2), 592–636.
Mei, M. Q., & Wang, T. (2021). Place and corporate philanthropy: A systematic review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 23(3), 376–393.
Muller, A., & Kräussl, R. (2011). Doing good deeds in times of need: A strategic perspective on corporate disaster donations. Strategic Management Journal, 32(9), 911–929.
Nair, A. K. S., & Bhattacharyya, S. S. (2019). Mandatory corporate social responsibility in India and its effect on corporate financial performance: Perspectives from institutional theory and resource-based view. Business Strategy and Development, 2(2),
106–116.
Noble, G., Cantrell, J., Kyriazis, E., & Algie, J. (2008). Motivations and forms of corporate giving behaviour: Insights from Australia. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 13(4), 315–325.
Pan, Q., & Huang, Z. (2022). The functions of the board of directors in corporate philanthropy: An empirical study from China. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 850980.
Plewnia, F, & Guenther, E. (2017). The benefits of doing good: A meta-analysis of corporate philanthropy business outcomes and its implications for management control. Journal of Management Control, 28(3), 347–376.
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). Creating shared value. Harvard Business Review.
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2002). The competitive advantage of corporate philanthropy. Harvard Business Review, 80(12), 1-14.
Seifert, B., Morris, S. A., & Bartkus, B. R. (2003). Comparing big givers and small givers: Financial correlates of corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 195–211.
Seifert, B., Morris, S. A., & Bartkus, B. R. (2004). Having, giving, and getting: Slack resources, corporate philanthropy, and firm financial performance. Business & Society, 43(2), 135–161.
Tian, X. (2014). Systematic deconstruction of corporate charitable donation: Data from corporations between the year 2009 and 2011. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 6(3), 441–446.
Wang, H., & Qian, C. (2011). Corporate philanthropy and corporate financial performance: The roles of stakeholder response and political access. Academy of Management Journal, 54(6), 1159–1181.
Wang, J., & Coffey, B. S. (1992). Board composition and corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 11(10), 771–778.
Wang, K., Miao, Y., Su, C.-H., Chen, M.-H., Wu, Z., & Wang, T. (2019). Does corporate charitable giving help sustain corporate performance in China? Sustainability, 11(5), 1-17.
Williams, R. J. (2003). Women on corporate boards of directors and their influence on corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 42(1), 1–10.
Williams, R. J., & Barrett, J. D. (2000). Corporate philanthropy, criminal activity, and firm reputation: Is there a link? Journal of Business Ethics, 26(4), 341–350.
Zhang, R., Zhu, J., Yue, H., & Zhu, C. (2010). Corporate philanthropic giving, advertising intensity, and industry competition level. Journal of Business Ethics, 94(1), 39–52.
Aggarwal, V. S., & Jha, A. (2019). Pressures of CSR in India: An institutional perspective. Journal of Strategy and Management, 12(2), 227–242.
Amato, L. H., & Amato, C. H. (2007). The effects of firm size and industry on corporate giving. Journal of Business Ethics, 72(3), 229–241.
Amran, A., & Siti-Nabiha, A. K. (2009). Corporate social reporting in Malaysia: A case of mimicking the West or succumbing to local pressure. Social Responsibility Journal, 5(3), 358–375.
Brammer, S., & Millington, A. (2005). Corporate reputation and philanthropy: An empirical analysis. Journal of Business Ethics, 61(1), 29–44.
Buchholtz, A. K., Amason, A. C., & Rutherford, M. A. (1999). Beyond resources. Business & Society, 38(2), 167–187.
Carroll, A. B. (1979). A three-dimensional conceptual model of corporate social performance. Academy of Management Review, 4(4), 497–505.
Carroll, A. B. (1991). The pyramid of corporate social responsibility: Toward the moral management of organizational stakeholders. Business Horizons, 34(4), 39–48.
Carroll, A. B. (2021). Corporate social responsibility: Perspectives on the CSR construct’s development and future. Business and Society, 60(6), 1258–1278.
Casais, B., & Santos, S. (2018). Corporate propensity for long-term donations to non-profit organisations: An exploratory study in Portugal. Social Sciences, 8(1), 1-10.
Cha, W., & Rajadhyaksha, U. (2021). What do we know about corporate philanthropy? A review and research directions. Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility, 30(3), 262-286.
Dash, A., & Mohanty, S. K. (2023). The mediating effect of a firm’s corporate reputation and sustainability practices in translating CSR into competitive performance in Indian ESG companies. Society and Business Review, 18(4), 691-709.
Dean, D. H. (2003). Consumer perception of corporate donations effects of company reputation for social responsibility and type of donation. Journal of Advertising, 32(4), 91–102.
Du, X., Jian, W., Du, Y., Feng, W., & Zeng, Q. (2014). Religion, the nature of ultimate owner, and corporate philanthropic giving: Evidence from China. Journal of Business Ethics, 123(2), 235–256.
Gautier, A., & Pache, A. C. (2013). Research on corporate philanthropy: A review and assessment. Journal of Business Ethics, 126(3), 343–369.
Georgiadou, E., & Nickerson, C. (2021). Marketing strategies in communicating CSR in the Muslim market of the United Arab Emirates: Insights from the banking sector. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 13(7), 1417-1435.
Godfrey, P. C. (2005). The relationship between corporate philanthropy and shareholder wealth: A risk management perspective. Academy of Management Review, 30(4), 777–798.
Grant, A. M. (2012). Giving time, time after time: Work design and sustained employee participation in corporate volunteering. Academy of Management Review, 37(4), 589–615.
Halme, M., & Laurila, J. (2009). Philanthropy, integration or innovation? Exploring the financial and societal outcomes of different types of corporate responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics, 84, 325–339.
Heli, W., Jaepil, C., & Jiatao, L. (2008). Too little or too much? Untangling the relationship between corporate philanthropy and firm financial performance. Organization Science, 19(1), 143–159.
Holtbrügge, D., & Oberhauser, M. (2019). CSR orientation of future top managers in India. Journal of Indian Business Research, 11(2), 162–178.
Jamali, D., Jain, T., Samara, G., & Zoghbi, E. (2020). How institutions affect CSR practices in the Middle East and North Africa: A critical review. Journal of World Business, 55(5), Article 101127.
Janowski, A. (2021). Philanthropy and the contribution of Andrew Carnegie to corporate social responsibility. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(1), 1–28.
Jeon, M. A., & An, D. (2019). A study on the relationship between perceived CSR motives, authenticity and company attitudes: A comparative analysis of cause promotion and cause-related marketing. Asian Journal of Sustainability and Social
Responsibility, 4(1), 1-14.
Ji, M., & Lv, W. (2022). Demonstration zones reform and corporate philanthropy: Evidence from China. Economic Modelling, 115(6), 105954.
Kanagaretnam, K., Xiu, Z., & Zhou, Z. (2019). Does culture matter for corporate philanthropic giving? Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 55(10), 2365–2387.
Koleva, P. M. (2015). Variations of practising corporate social responsibility in a context with strong Islamic beliefs [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]. University of Bedfordshire.
Lam, S.-S., Hung, H.-Y., & Choi, S. P.-M. (2022). Corporate philanthropy and firm performance relationship – Socio-political and government control effects. Asian Journal of Business and Accounting, 15(1), 41–70.
Liket, K., & Simaens, A. (2015). Battling the devolution in the research on corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 126(2), 285–308.
Masulis, R. W., & Reza, S. W. (2015). Agency problems of corporate philanthropy. Review of Financial Studies, 28(2), 592–636.
Mei, M. Q., & Wang, T. (2021). Place and corporate philanthropy: A systematic review. International Journal of Management Reviews, 23(3), 376–393.
Muller, A., & Kräussl, R. (2011). Doing good deeds in times of need: A strategic perspective on corporate disaster donations. Strategic Management Journal, 32(9), 911–929.
Nair, A. K. S., & Bhattacharyya, S. S. (2019). Mandatory corporate social responsibility in India and its effect on corporate financial performance: Perspectives from institutional theory and resource-based view. Business Strategy and Development, 2(2),
106–116.
Noble, G., Cantrell, J., Kyriazis, E., & Algie, J. (2008). Motivations and forms of corporate giving behaviour: Insights from Australia. International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, 13(4), 315–325.
Pan, Q., & Huang, Z. (2022). The functions of the board of directors in corporate philanthropy: An empirical study from China. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 850980.
Plewnia, F, & Guenther, E. (2017). The benefits of doing good: A meta-analysis of corporate philanthropy business outcomes and its implications for management control. Journal of Management Control, 28(3), 347–376.
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2011). Creating shared value. Harvard Business Review.
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2002). The competitive advantage of corporate philanthropy. Harvard Business Review, 80(12), 1-14.
Seifert, B., Morris, S. A., & Bartkus, B. R. (2003). Comparing big givers and small givers: Financial correlates of corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 195–211.
Seifert, B., Morris, S. A., & Bartkus, B. R. (2004). Having, giving, and getting: Slack resources, corporate philanthropy, and firm financial performance. Business & Society, 43(2), 135–161.
Tian, X. (2014). Systematic deconstruction of corporate charitable donation: Data from corporations between the year 2009 and 2011. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 6(3), 441–446.
Wang, H., & Qian, C. (2011). Corporate philanthropy and corporate financial performance: The roles of stakeholder response and political access. Academy of Management Journal, 54(6), 1159–1181.
Wang, J., & Coffey, B. S. (1992). Board composition and corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 11(10), 771–778.
Wang, K., Miao, Y., Su, C.-H., Chen, M.-H., Wu, Z., & Wang, T. (2019). Does corporate charitable giving help sustain corporate performance in China? Sustainability, 11(5), 1-17.
Williams, R. J. (2003). Women on corporate boards of directors and their influence on corporate philanthropy. Journal of Business Ethics, 42(1), 1–10.
Williams, R. J., & Barrett, J. D. (2000). Corporate philanthropy, criminal activity, and firm reputation: Is there a link? Journal of Business Ethics, 26(4), 341–350.
Zhang, R., Zhu, J., Yue, H., & Zhu, C. (2010). Corporate philanthropic giving, advertising intensity, and industry competition level. Journal of Business Ethics, 94(1), 39–52.
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2024-07-31
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Charting the landscape of corporate philanthropy: A bibliometric exploration of trends and themes. (2024). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 9(2), 160-184. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss2pp160-184
