Do Good and Prosper: Interplay Between Philanthropy and Business Innovations

Philanthropy consists of private initiatives for the public good. Market economy consists of private initiative for private good. Government welfare consists of public initiative for public good. In the literature, these three systems have been treated separately. However, there is a strong interplay among these three systems that would shape the social and economic dynamics in a nation. 

Two important messages are conveyed in this book. The first message is that there is a strong interplay between philanthropy innovation that create social value and business innovation that creates commercial value. The second message is that to achieve sustainable equitable economic growth, a coordinated effort among the three systems is required. 

Starting in 2009, a surge of Chinese internet companies integrate philanthropy into their corporate strategy that totally change the landscape of philanthropy system in China. Two visible changes were the formation of online charity platforms that greatly help the public foundations to raise money and the mass participation of young donors who are not necessarily rich. A deeper implication is that the disruption of the philanthropy system in China seems to be a real case example that reflects some degree of truth in the two messages that book wants to convey. 

In this book, I document the history of emergence of internet businesses in China, expansion of Chinese internet companies, and their active engagement in philanthropy as part of their corporate strategy. The two messages are conveyed through synthesis of the case history based on some theoretical foundation. 

Some highlights: 

• Why successful US internet and mobile related companies failed in China?  
• Innovative welfare products that turn massive young people to become engaged donors. 
• Chinese internet companies strengthen the philanthropy ecosystem in China. 
• The role that Chinese internet companies play in rural revitalizing projects in China. 
• The three systems succeeded in eradicating extreme poverty in China by 2020. 
• Chinese internet companies blend philanthropy innovation with business innovation. 
• Sustainable growth for companies and nations