 | ISTR Sixth International Conference Toronto, Canada / July 11-14, 2004 Contesting Citizenship and Civil Society in a Divided World |
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For-profit sector and philanthropy: Comparative Study of India and the United States
by
Pankaja Kulabkar
Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Mumbai
Title: For-profit sector and philanthropy: Comparative Study of India and the United States Abstract: 1. Problem The business or the for-profit sector in India has been traditionally involved in philanthropy. While the for-profit sector has been involvement in philanthropy for a number of years, a professional approach towards philanthropy is relatively recent. Expectations from for-profit sector are many and at the same time the sector performs within several limitations. The effectivity of this sector in philanthropy and the challenges faced by it has not been rigorously researched. Several questions come up. What is the objective of for-profit sector organizations involved in philanthropy? What kind of issues are addressed by them and what programs are undertaken by this sector? What are the challenges faced by it? Who are its partners and what are the strategies followed by it? What kind of relationship exists between the Government and the business sector? How far is business philanthropy able to achieve its objective? These are some of the issues probed in this study.
2. Methodology For-profit sector organizations both in India and the United States are actively involved in philanthropy. This study seeks to examine the above questions by comparing for-profit sector organizations in both these countries. A case study approach would be carried out since this is a good way to carry out an in depth study of for-profit sector organizations. The study would concentrate on two for-profit organizations in India and the United States and put before them the above questions. Focus would be on separate trusts or foundations set up by the business sector to engage in philanthropy. Data from the following sources would be used: newspaper articles, documents and literature, websites, interviews, and observation.
3. Context Studies on voluntary giving in India are on an increase (Sidel, 2001). The long journey of business philanthropy in India has been well captured in Sundar’s (2000) volume. However, an indepth study of the strategies of the for-profit sector in philanthropy, challenges faced by it, and the impact of business sector on philanthropy has not been carried out. Moreover, a comparative study of business philanthropy in India and the United States is lacking. The current study seeks to fill in these gaps.
4. Impact An increased understanding of business philanthropy within the Indian political system, its strategies, challenges, and effectivity is essential not only for citizens in general but also for the business sector in particular. This would help new entrants to understand what it takes to be in this field, and corporates engaged in philanthropy for several decades might be able to improve their performance. Moreover, a comparative study of this sector in India and the United States will help in further understanding, sharing, and networking among corporates across the two countries. It is hoped that the current study would be a small step towards this direction.
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Date received: October 1, 2003
Copyright © 2003 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # caml-99.