arbiter
JournalsAccount

Navigating the dynamics of corporate political contributions: a systematic literature review and research agenda

Nayanjyoti Goswami et al.

Cross Cultural & Strategic Management2025https://doi.org/10.1108/ccsm-06-2024-0131article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.37

Abstract

Purpose This systematic review comprehensively examines corporate political contributions (CPC), exploring their antecedents, evolving mechanisms and diverse organizational outcomes. It offers a holistic understanding of the business–politics relationship and proposes a managerial decision-making framework for strategic CPC engagement. The study also identifies gaps in the literature and suggests future research avenues. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a systematic review process to assess the CPC literature. Utilizing leading journals and databases like Web of Science, Scopus and EBSCO, we apply rigorous screening criteria to select 72 relevant papers critically analyzed using the “Antecedents-Phenomenon-Consequences” framework. Findings The research identifies two primary dynamics influencing CPC: “essential need” for firm survival and “elective choice.” It reveals that CPC strategies impact various firm performance metrics, including market returns, operational performance and policy outcomes. Research is concentrated in the US, with a limited focus on developing economies. Future research should focus on industry-specific studies, timing of contributions and cross-national comparisons. Practical implications This paper provides managers with a comprehensive framework for CPC engagement, helping them navigate political dynamics, optimize contributions and enhance firm performance while maintaining ethical and strategic considerations. Originality/value This paper systematically reviews the complex political strategy of CPC, providing a nuanced understanding of how CPC operates across different countries and contexts. It offers academics and professionals insights to develop robust theories and make informed decisions in a modern, complex business environment.

1 citation

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/ccsm-06-2024-0131

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{nayanjyoti2025,
  title        = {{Navigating the dynamics of corporate political contributions: a systematic literature review and research agenda}},
  author       = {Nayanjyoti Goswami et al.},
  journal      = {Cross Cultural & Strategic Management},
  year         = {2025},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/ccsm-06-2024-0131},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

Navigating the dynamics of corporate political contributions: a systematic literature review and research agenda

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.37

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.16 × 0.4 = 0.06
M · momentum0.53 × 0.15 = 0.08
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.