Questa tesi, strutturata in tre articoli interconnessi, mira a fornire una migliore interpretazione del fenomeno delle Fondazioni d’Impresa nella prospettiva del Valore Condiviso, delineando quanto queste organizzazioni possano rivelarsi idonee a creare valore sia per la società sia per le imprese, rispondendo contemporaneamente alle esigenze di molteplici stakeholders. Il primo articolo, attraverso l’analisi della letteratura riguardante le Fondazioni d’Impresa e la teoria del Valore Condiviso, analizza in profondità le caratteristiche più innovative di queste organizzazioni, prendendo poi in considerazione alcuni aspetti potenzialmente interessanti da analizzare. Il secondo articolo presenta uno studio esplorativo finalizzato a verificare come gli interessi dell’impresa fondatrice influenzino il modello organizzativo, le attività e le tematiche affrontate dalle Fondazioni d’Impresa. L’articolo propone una rinnovata classificazione delle Fondazione d’Impresa, che introduce un modello innovativo, il cosiddetto Edifier, e sottolinea quali campo di attività sono più appropriati a seconda degli interessi delle imprese fondatrici. Il terzo articolo, infine, è volto a indagare in profondità i legami che intercorrono tra Imprese Fondatrici e Fondazioni d’Impresa, con una particolare attenzione ai meccanismi attraverso i quali l’impresa può influenzare l’efficacia delle attività della Fondazione. L’articolo mette in evidenza come l'adozione di un modello di trasferimento delle conoscenze possa avere una notevole influenza in termini di efficacia, con conseguenze rilevanti in termini di proattività, competenze ed efficacia della Fondazione. / This thesis, structured in three logically interconnected papers, aims at achieving a better understanding of the phenomenon of Corporate Foundations (CFs) under a Shared Value Perspective, by determining that these organizations are suitable for creating value for both society and firms, and for addressing multiple stakeholders’ needs. The first paper, through a review of the literature researching on CFs and on Shared Value, analyses in depth the most innovative characteristics of these organizations, and attempts to consider some potentially interesting issues to be stressed, coherently with the perspective adopted. The second paper presents an exploratory study aimed at verifying how the interests of the founder firm influence the model, activities and issues addressed by CFs. The paper proposes a classification of CFs introducing an innovative model, the so-called edifier, and underlines which field of activities are more appropriate according to the objective of the firms. The third paper is aimed at investigating in depth the ties connecting Founder Firms and CFs, with a special attention to the mechanisms through which a firm can impact CF’s effectiveness. The paper puts in evidence that the adoption of a model has a substantial influence on effectiveness, with many consequences on the proactivity, competences and social influence of CFs.

Thesis (M.A.)--Indiana University, 2007. / Department of Philanthropic Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Advisor(s): William Brescia, Frances A. Huehls, Dwight Burlingame. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 111-113).

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The thesis, American Indian Foundations: Philanthropic Change and Adaptation, explores definition of the issues which impelled the development of grantmaking foundations as vehicles for American Indian community development. American Indian foundations are grantmaking foundations by and for American Indians. They frequently incorporate technical support, fiscal sponsorship and management of their own programs in ways which are unique to American Indians. The thesis is based on a case study and analysis of the formation and development of the Seventh Generation Fund for American Indian Development (and its predecessor the Tribal Sovereignty Program of the Youth Project), the first American Indian national public grantmaking foundation. The research design is based on primary source research and a literature review, augmented by a case study, and amplified by in-depth experience in the field of American Indian philanthropy. The literature review encompasses the relevant primary issues of the thesis and also covers an historical philanthropic review of influences on the development and inception of American Indian philanthropy. Original documents relative to these subjects were located in the manuscript and microfilm collection of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison; the Field Foundation Archives of the Center for American History at the University of Texas, Austin; and the Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, and the Joseph and Matthew Payton Philanthropic Studies Library, both located at Indiana University in Indianapolis. The thesis is based on a primary research question and framed by six subsidiary questions. The thesis concluded that perhaps American Indian foundations were formulated to better serve their peoples in the absence of philanthropic attention. In addition they were formed to address underserved philanthropic needs in ways unique to American Indians. As well with regard to the case study, the primary reason for the founding of the first American Indian national grantmaking foundation was to apply the theoretical concepts of sovereignty and self-sufficiency into practicality in Indian country.