Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility in Business Families: Practices, Governance, and Intergenerational Dynamics

Rosane Dal Magro; Luis Cisneros

doi:10.24310/ejfb.15.2.2025.19623

Authors

Rosane Dal Magro Montreal University, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5233-0499
Luis Cisneros Entrepreneurship & Innovation Department, Observatory of Entrepreneurship La Sphère & Business Families Center, HEC Montreal, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5983-8973

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/ejfb.15.2.2025.19623

Keywords:

Business family, Philanthropy, Corporate social responsibility, Governance, Intergenerational dynamics

Agencies: N/A

Abstract

This study explores how business families enact and interrelate philanthropy and corporate social responsibility (CSR), moving beyond firm-centric perspectives to focus on the family as a civic and entrepreneurial actor. Drawing on a multiple case study of Canadian business families, we identify philanthropy and CSR as complementary practices shaped by identity, governance, and intergenerational values. Findings reveal a shift from reciprocity-based engagement to entrepreneurial social innovation, supported by governance mechanisms including decision-making, monitoring, partnerships, and storytelling. Philanthropy offers flexibility for addressing pressing needs, while CSR embeds ethical and sustainable goals into business operations. Together, these practices foster societal value and strategic alignment. The study contributes to this theory by bridging socioemotional wealth and relational governance, and by proposing five testable propositions for future research.

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