The Corporate Philanthropy Observatory, a research unit affiliated with ESG UQAM-PhiLab and UQTR, is hosting its first annual conference. The goal: to bring together researchers, students, and professionals in the philanthropic sector around the theme:
"Philanthropic Business or Hypocritical Enterprise? Deconstructing Corporate Philanthropy in Contemporary CSR."
On May 13, 2025 at Ascencia Business School - Paris, France
Corporate philanthropy encompasses philanthropic organizations and companies concerned with issues related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Today, this field occupies a unique and paradoxical position within our economic and social landscape. On the one hand, these organizations and companies are seen as a natural extension of CSR—a way for businesses to actively contribute to societal evolution and improvement. On the other hand, CSR is criticized as a strategic tool aimed at enhancing brand image or concealing questionable practices. This paradox raises a fundamental question: Is CSR in the realm of corporate or organizational philanthropy genuinely altruistic, or does it primarily serve private interests at the expense of public good?
An Expanding Practice Amidst Global Turbulence
Despite the turbulence caused by global crises, corporate philanthropy has not just endured—it has thrived. It has become a rapidly growing global phenomenon. Reports indicate that corporate philanthropy now averages $21 billion annually. The upward trend of corporate philanthropy over the past decade is well documented (Gardberg et al., 2017; Park et al., 2016). Faced with increasing stakeholder expectations (Logsdon et al., 1990; Wang & Qian, 2011) and seeking new ways to gain competitive advantage, companies are multiplying their donations to charitable organizations and creating their own foundations. Today, in a world where social responsibility is paramount, failing to engage in philanthropy is often seen as a serious shortcoming (Seghers, 2007).
However, despite this expansion, corporate philanthropy remains a complex phenomenon. Many managerial and conceptual questions remain unanswered. Is it truly a charitable act, or is it driven by strategic interests? Does it generate costs or benefits for the company? Should it align with the company’s core business or remain separate? And how does it differ from CSR and other related concepts?
These questions reflect the challenges practitioners and researchers face. Fully understanding the scope and impact of corporate philanthropy requires thorough exploration.
Toward a Deeper Understanding
It is essential for businesses and stakeholders to grasp these dynamics. Corporate philanthropy isn’t just about donations or supporting causes. It sits at the crossroads of ethics, strategy, and public perception. Ultimately, the question isn’t just whether corporate philanthropy is altruistic or self-serving, but how it can be implemented authentically and effectively, for the mutual benefit of both the company and society.
Proposed Themes
To explore these issues, we invite contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- The Essence and Motivations of Corporate Philanthropy
- The Evolution of Corporate Philanthropy’s Legitimacy
- Strategic Philanthropy and Competitive Advantage
- Aligning Philanthropy with Core Business Practices
- Philanthropy versus CSR
- Organization and Governance of Philanthropy
- Evaluating the Tangible Impact of Philanthropic Activities
- Case Studies of Corporate Philanthropy in Different Cultural and Economic Contexts
Submissions (in French or English) for the Corporate Philanthropy Observatory’s conference may take various forms—literature reviews, case studies, empirical research, etc.—and may draw from different epistemological and methodological approaches, as long as they contribute to the French and/or English literature on corporate philanthropy.
Thus, studying corporate philanthropy strictly speaking is not a prerequisite for participation in the conference. The many themes that intersect with the broader field of philanthropy may also be addressed in the proposed papers.
References
Bowen, H. R. (1953). Social Responsibilities of the Businessman. Harper & Row.
Bruch, H., & Walter, F. (2005). The Keys to Rethinking Corporate Philanthropy. MIT Sloan Management Review, 47(1), 49–55.
Carnegie, A. (1889). The Gospel of Wealth. North American Review, 148(391), 653–664.
Davis, K. (1973). The Case For and Against Business Assumption of Social Responsibilities. Academy of Management Journal, 16(2), 312–322.
Freeman, R. E. (1984). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. Pitman.
Friedman, M. (1970). The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits. The New York Times Magazine, 13 septembre.
Gautier, A., & Pache, A.-C. (2015). Research on Corporate Philanthropy: A Review and Assessment. Journal of Business Ethics, 126(3), 343–369.
Léo, Trespeuch, and Robinot Élisabeth. "Exploring the Impact of Corporate Philanthropy on Brand Authenticity in the Luxury Industry: Scale Development and Empirical Studies." Sustainability 15.16 (2023): 12274
Logsdon, J. M., Reiner, M., & Burke, L. (1990). Corporate Philanthropy: Strategic Responses to the Firm's Stakeholders. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 19(2), 93–109.
Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2002). The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy. Harvard Business Review, 80(12), 56–68.
Seghers V. (2007). Ce qui motive les entreprises mécènes : Philanthropie, investissement, responsabilité sociale ?, Paris, Éditions Autrement.
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.
Zunz, O. (2011). Philanthropy in America: A History. Princeton University Press.
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