Exploring family business and philanthropy in Malaysia.

Ali, Hasnita (2019) Exploring family business and philanthropy in Malaysia. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

This study explores how family business adds value to society above and beyond the business goals of creating wealth, through their engagement in philanthropy. It argues that the family business owners gain sustainability and competitiveness of business by active engagement in philanthropy. The objective of the study is to bring clarity and understanding to the phenomenon of family business philanthropy. Specifically, it explores: the philanthropist’s family background, the role of family values and other critical aspects that influence the philanthropist’s engagement in philanthropy. The study considers the selection of recipients and what influences the selection of beneficiaries; the actual philanthropic efforts of the family business, the legitimacy of such efforts and approaches; and, the transformational outcomes of the recipients as a result of philanthropy.

A qualitative research methodology and a multi research case strategy are used on account of the exploratory nature of this study. A total of 37 in-depth interviews with five levels of respondents, including philanthropists, their children, key management personnel, foundation employees, and recipient beneficiaries was undertaken. This approach supported an inductive analysis and interpretation of the data, within and across the case studies, whilst considering the external landscape of family business philanthropy.

The study identified a range of factors that contribute to, and motivate the owners of family business to become actively engaged in philanthropy and considers the outcomes of these activities. This study provides evidence on the practice of family business in philanthropy, its relationship between family involvement and the relevance of philanthropy in the growth and sustainability of the business. The study identifies the importance of moral, ethical, spiritual and religious obligations that reveal the philanthropists being motivated to their philanthropic tendency. The study shows that the principle of philanthropy is deeply rooted in religious obligations of the family business owners. Finally, the study emphasises the importance of capability enhancement in recipients as a result of the efforts contributed by the philanthropists.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Family business, philanthropy, case study research strategy, institutional theory, stakeholder theory, capability approach framework, Southeast Asia, Malaysia.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Supervisor's Name: Gordon, Dr. Jillian
• Date of Award: 2019
• Embargo Date: 10 October 2023
• Depositing User: Dr Hasnita Ali
• Unique ID: glathesis:2019-75128
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 30 Oct 2019 08:29
• Last Modified: 10 Oct 2022 07:23
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.75128
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/75128