Who Is More Generous? The Moderating Role of Gender and Education in Chinese Corporate Philanthropy

Abstract

Our paper draws upon the literature of corporate financial performance and ethical decision-making to examine how corporate past profits and individual characteristics work together to influence corporate philanthropy. We refute the mediation model in the literature and propose the moderation model instead. Our analysis shows that firms’ prior financial performance is a critical determinant of corporate giving. Furthermore, being a male entrepreneur strengthens the positive relationship between firms’ past profits and corporate giving, whereas education weakens such relationship. Our study advances the research of corporate philanthropy and ethical decision-making as well.