Beyond Charity: Family Foundations Perpetuating Longevity of Family Businesses

Hsi Mei Chung, Kevin Au, Steen Thomsen

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Abstract

Family foundations are prevalent, but seldom have researchers examined its function and influence as an ownership vehicle for family businesses. This paper advances an institutionalized reference-point theory to explain family foundation's role on perpetuating family business. The theory posits that these foundations cultivate family members long-term commitment to corporate responsibility which enhances the identification and socio-economic wealth creation of business families. In a longitundinal study of public-listed family businesses (1996-2016) in Taiwan using survival analysis, the presence of family foundation not only itself promotes, but also, as a moderator, heightens the positive effect of family ownership on longevity of family firms. Qualitative evidence from interviewing professional accountants affirmed that family foundations strengthened the identification of members to the family businesses. Further, while their purpose was for charity and not control of the business, establishing the foundation shifted family members' orientation for the long-term, which resulted in longer survival.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Eighty-second Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management
EditorsSonja Taneja
Number of pages1
Place of PublicationBriarcliff Manor, NY
PublisherAcademy of Management
Publication date2022
Pages3727
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
EventThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2022: Creating a Better World Together - Seattle, United States
Duration: 5 Aug 20229 Aug 2022
Conference number: 82
https://2022.aom.org/

Conference

ConferenceThe Academy of Management Annual Meeting 2022
Number82
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period05/08/202209/08/2022
Internet address
SeriesAcademy of Management Proceedings
ISSN0065-0668

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