The Role of Missionary and Darwinian Founder Identities for Family Firm Philanthropy
Abstract
This study applies an identity theory lens to explore how the founder’s identity affects family firm philanthropy in later stages of the business. Our study’s insights derive from a philanthropy survey of key decision makers in international family firms. Our study finds that a Missionary founder identity increases the philanthropic engagement of family firms and that this effect is strengthened over family generations. Somewhat surprisingly, a Darwinian founder identity also increases philanthropy. This effect is likely to be weakened if family owners pursue transgenerational control intentions. Our research contributes to the literature on founder identities, philanthropy, and family firms.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Family Business Performance and Succession
Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences
Migration
Ethnicity
and Economy
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Family Business Review
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 62–86
- Publication date
- 31 January 2026
- Language
- EN