Clan Culture, Socioemotional Wealth and Family Business Social Responsibility

Bibliographic Data

ID2785539
AuthorsYali Zhao (0009-0006-3604-6766, College of Economics and Management Zhengzhou University of Light Industry Zhengzhou China), Ran Zhou (0009-0008-9131-4115, College of Economics and Management Hubei University of Arts and Science Xiangyang China, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume84
Issue5
Pages653-670
Publication date2025-03-07
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Economics and Sociology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9246 • E-ISSN: 1536-7150
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/ajes.12622
OpenAlexW4408342715
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited80

Clan culture, a central element of China's traditional heritage, profoundly influences the corporate social responsibility practices of family businesses, shaping their behavior through deeply ingrained values and philosophical principles. We empirically examine the impact of clan culture on the corporate social responsibility of family businesses listed on China's Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2010 to 2020. The findings show that clan culture encourages family businesses to engage in corporate social responsibility. However, family business operational difficulties weaken the positive impact of clan culture on corporate social responsibility, while the negative public image strengthens this impact. Mechanism testing reveals that socioemotional wealth plays a mediating role in the relationship between clan culture and corporate social responsibility. Specifically, clan culture improves family businesses' focus on restricted, maintained and extended socioemotional wealth, thereby promoting their proactive engagement in corporate social responsibility. Further analysis shows that clan culture has a greater impact on internal corporate social responsibility than on external corporate social responsibility. Additionally, different dimensions of socioemotional wealth affect internal and external corporate social responsibility in distinct ways. Specifically, under the influence of clan culture, family businesses' focus on restricted and extended socioemotional wealth promotes a proactive approach to internal corporate social responsibility. In contrast, an emphasis on restricted and maintained socioemotional wealth drives external corporate social responsibility. Our study enhances understanding of the internal mechanisms driving corporate social responsibility in family businesses from the perspective of clan culture and offers empirical evidence and managerial insights on how to leverage and sustain the spiritual value of clan culture

Business · Business administration · Clan · Developmental psychology · Family business · Socioemotional selectivity theory · Sociology · Anthropology · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Family Business Performance and Succession · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy · Psychology

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