Bridging the Gap Between Philanthropy and Reputation: A Qualitative Study of Social Infrastructure, Inequality, and Corporate Culture
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63919/ajmpce.v1i2.27Keywords:
Corporate Giving, Philanthropy, Corporate Reputation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Abstract
This study examines corporate giving as a strategy in building reputation through philanthropy, focusing on how companies can leverage philanthropic activities to enhance their image and relationships with the community. Corporate giving has long been an integral part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies, serving not only to provide social benefits but also to strengthen the company’s position in the market. The approach used in this research is qualitative with a literature study, analyzing relevant literature regarding the relationship between philanthropy and corporate reputation. The findings indicate that companies that integrate philanthropic activities into their organizational culture tend to gain trust and loyalty from consumers, improve relationships with stakeholders, and strengthen long-term reputation. Furthermore, strategically conducted philanthropy can enhance a company’s competitiveness in an increasingly competitive market. However, this study also points out limitations concerning the context used, suggesting that further research with a broader sample is necessary to test these findings across various sectors and countries. In conclusion, corporate giving implemented with the right approach can serve as a tool to strengthen a company’s reputation and contribute to business sustainability
Downloads
References
Adomako, S., & Tran, M. D. (2024). Beyond profits: The linkages between local embeddedness, social legitimacy, and corporate philanthropy in the mining industry. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31(1), 555–565. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2585
Arco?Castro, L., López?Pérez, M. V., Pérez?López, M. C., & Rodríguez?Ariza, L. (2020). How market value relates to corporate philanthropy and its assurance: The moderating effect of the business sector. Business Ethics: A European Review, 29(2), 266–281. https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12264
Bird, K., & Aninat, M. (2022). Philanthropy in Latin America: Challenges to legitimacy and social impact. Development Policy Review, 40(2), 235-249. https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12456
Boodoo, M. U., Henriques, I., & Husted, B. W. (2022). Putting the “love of humanity” back in corporate philanthropy: The case of health grants by corporate foundations. Journal of Business Ethics, 178(2), 415–428. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04807-2
Britel, Z., & Cherkaoui, A. (2022). Measuring an organization’s change readiness regarding the implementation of corporate social responsibility. International Journal of Management and Sustainability, 11(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.18488/11.v11i1.2916
Cha, W., & Abebe, M. (2016). Board of directors and industry determinants of corporate philanthropy. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 37(5), 672-688. https://doi.org/10.1108/lodj-09-2014-0189
Cha, W., Rew, D., & Jung, J. (2023). Corporate philanthropy and firm performance: The role of corporate strategies. Society and Business Review, 18(1), 104–123. https://doi.org/10.1108/SBR-12-2021-0249
Colleoni, E., Romenti, S., Valentini, C., Badham, M., Choi, S., Kim, S., … & Jin, Y. (2022). Does culture matter? Measuring cross-country perceptions of CSR communication campaigns about COVID-19. Sustainability, 14(2), 889. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14020889
Deigh, L., Farquhar, J., Palazzo, M., & Siano, A. (2016). Corporate social responsibility: Engaging the community. Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, 19(2), 225–240. https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-02-2016-0010
Foster, M. K., Meinhard, A. G., Berger, I. E., & Krpan, P. (2009). Corporate philanthropy in the Canadian context: From damage control to improving society. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 38(3), 441–466. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764008316249
Foster, M., Meinhard, A., Berger, I., & Krpan, P. (2008). Corporate philanthropy in the Canadian context. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 38(3), 441-466. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764008316249
Gardberg, N., & Fombrun, C. (2006). Corporate citizenship: Creating intangible assets across institutional environments. Academy of Management Review, 31(2), 329-346. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2006.20208684
Gong-li, L., Hao, J., & Ma, H. (2023). The impact of corporate philanthropy on the evolution of social media brand community – based on the case of Erke. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 36(3), 533-548. https://doi.org/10.1108/apjml-04-2023-0326
Han, S. (2023). The effects of corporate philanthropy communication perception variables on brand equity and consumer loyalty. Business Communication Research and Practice, 6(1), 24-37. https://doi.org/10.22682/bcrp.2023.6.1.24
Harvey, J., et al. (2022). Elite philanthropy and educational institutions: A study of power networks and inequality. Journal of Higher Education, 91(1), 91-107. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543221088865
Harvey, J., Maclean, J., & Williams, P. (2020). The acceptance and practice of philanthropy within a broader social context marked by socioeconomic disparities. Journal of Social Inequality, 44(2), 113-129. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12745
Irfan, S. (2021). UK philanthropic foundations and racial inequality: A critical examination. Philanthropy and Social Change, 29(3), 212-226. https://doi.org/10.1177/14791341211033392
Jia, M., & Zhang, Z. (2014). Donating money to get money: The role of corporate philanthropy in stakeholder reactions to IPOs. Journal of Management Studies, 51(7), 1118–1152. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12090
Liket, K., & Maas, K. (2015). Strategic philanthropy. Business & Society, 55(6), 889-921. https://doi.org/10.1177/0007650314565356
Liu, X., & Xu, W. W. (2019). Adoption of ride-sharing apps by Chinese taxi drivers and its implication for equality and wellbeing in the sharing economy. Chinese Journal of Communication, 12(1), 7–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/17544750.2018.1524392
Luo, X., & Bhattacharya, C. B. (2009). The debate over doing good: Corporate social performance, strategic marketing levers, and firm-idiosyncratic risk. Journal of Marketing, 73(6), 198–213. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkg.73.6.198
Maclean, J., Harvey, J., & Williams, P. (2021). Philanthropy as an instrument of social order and elite power. Social Justice Review, 38(4), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.1080/23746044.2021.1248775
Parvez, M. (2012). Emergence of corporate philanthropy: Chapter Bangladesh. Global Disclosure of Economics and Business, 1(1), 65-73. https://doi.org/10.18034/gdeb.v1i1.204
Pearson, H. (2023). From bricks to brain cells revisited: Canadian philanthropy and higher education. Industry and Higher Education, 37(5), 589-592. https://doi.org/10.1177/09504222231198065
Ricks, J., & Williams, J. (2005). Strategic corporate philanthropy: Addressing frontline talent needs through an educational giving program. Journal of Business Ethics, 60(2), 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-005-1175-3
Scott, D., Williams, R., & Harvey, P. (2020). The philanthropic-industrial complex: Reproducing social inequalities. Critical Sociology, 46(5), 749-765. https://doi.org/10.1177/0896920520947654
Shahrom, M., Maarop, N., Samy, G., Hassan, N., Rahim, F., Magalingam, P., … & Kamaruddin, N. (2021). A pilot analysis of factors affecting defense against social engineering attacks in the armed forces environment. Open International Journal of Informatics, 9(1), 53-64. https://doi.org/10.11113/oiji2021.9n1.28
Teeters, L., Heerman, W., Schlundt, D., Harris, D., & Barkin, S. (2018). Community readiness assessment for obesity research: Pilot implementation of the healthier families programme. Health Research Policy and Systems, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-017-0262-0
Wu, W., Yu, K., Chu, C., Zhou, J., Xu, H., & Tsai, S. (2018). Diffusion of corporate philanthropy in social and political network environments: evidence from China. Sustainability, 10(6), 1897. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061897
Yuliyanto, M. (2021). Quality analysis of infrastructure and environmental needs in CSR activities of PT Indonesia Power Semarang Power Generation Unit. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.9-10-2020.2304796
Zhang, L. (2021). The impact of private entrepreneur’s religious beliefs and political identity on corporate philanthropy donations. Suranaree Journal of Social Science, 15(1), 113-127. https://doi.org/10.55766/gtyq5931
Zhang, L., Mo, S., Chen, H., & Wu, J. (2019). Can corporate philanthropy be driven from the bottom to the top? Evidence from China. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 11(5), 841-861. https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-08-2018-0206
Zhao, Y. (2018). Responsibility or atonement? An analysis of China’s corporate philanthropy and corporate performance in different industries. Asia Pacific Journal of Advanced Business and Social Studies, 4(1), 44–55. https://doi.org/10.25275/apjabssv4i1bus5
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Trinitaria Marlis Putri

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.










