Globalisation and the organisation of family philanthropy: A case of isomorphism?

Abstract

This article is concerned with the effects of globalisation on the organisation of family philanthropy. It aims to assess whether the increased visibility and social and economic relevance of foundations connected to entrepreneurial families and family firms, has also involved the adoption of similar organisational models internationally over the last three decades. The article examines the interplay between family philanthropy and its institutional framework in the US, Germany and Spain by identifying two basic models of relationship between the entrepreneurial family, the family foundation, and the family firm: the non-controlling model, which continues to characterise most US foundations; and the controlling model, characteristic of most German foundations. In Spain, where large family foundations have traditionally adopted the controlling model, newer foundations have tended to adopt the non-controlling model. This reveals the mixed effects of globalisation and national cultural and institutional patterns on the organisational structure adopted by family philanthropy across Western countries.