CALL FOR PAPER


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.

 

   

Calendar

November 15, 2024: Submissions open

January 30, 2025: Submission deadline

March 2025: Notification to authors

March 2025: Deadline for final version submission

Submission Procedure

Submissions can be made in French or English only via the Scienceconf platform. You must first create an account or log in to SciencesConf / HAL - CCDF (the “login” button at top right of page).

Each submission must include an abstract in both French and English. Presentations can be delivered either online or in person.

Classic Papers

Present a completed research project, whether conceptual or empirical: Maximum length: 5 pages (excluding title, references, and appendices). Format: Times New Roman, 12 points, single spacing, 2.5 cm margins.

 Working Papers

Present ongoing research as an extended abstract (750-1000 words). Format: Times New Roman, 12 points, single spacing, 2.5 cm margins.

Teaching Cases

Present a teaching case on a nonprofit organization. Short format 2-3 pages: Summary (max. 1000 characters); Introduction (max. 3000 characters); Organization Overview (max. 7500 characters); Problem Statement (max. 7500 characters); Pedagogical Questions and Answers (max. 3000 characters). The best cases may later be published on the website http://www.uqtr.ca/plateformedecasPMO if the authors so desire.

General Guidelines

  • Submissions must be anonymized and follow the indicated format.
  • Author names should only appear on the platform, not in the document.
  • Double-blind review by two referees.
  • At least one author must be available to present the paper (online or in person).

Note to Participants

This conference aims to be an inclusive and interdisciplinary space, encouraging the participation of researchers and professionals in philanthropy from various fields such as CSR, corporate philanthropy, business ethics, management, marketing, sociology, economics, and political science. We believe that the diversity of perspectives will enrich the discussions and contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges surrounding philanthropy in today’s world.

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