Exploring the nexus of board gender diversity in corporate philanthropy moderated by buyer and supplier centrality: the evidence from Japan

Purpose The impact of board gender diversity (BGD) on corporate philanthropy has garnered considerable attention in Western countries, while its influence within Eastern cultures has largely been overlooked. This study aimed to fill this research gap by investigating the moderating roles of network centrality (including buyer centrality and supplier centrality) and diversity management in shaping the relation between BGD and corporate philanthropy within a supply network context in Japan. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzed 2,346 matched pairs of publicly listed firms and their business partners (covering both upstream and downstream ties) across various industries in Japan. Ordinary least squares regression models were used to investigate the linkage between BGD and corporate philanthropy, along with the moderating effects of buyer centrality, supplier centrality, and diversity management. Findings The results showed that buyer centrality facilitated the positive impact of BGD on corporate philanthropy. Conversely, supplier centrality did not significantly affect this relationship. This indicates that the influence of BGD at the supplier level may differ from that at the buyer level. This highlights the need to consider contextual factors beyond BGD when analyzing corporate philanthropy. Additionally, diversity management was found to positively moderate the relationship between BGD and corporate philanthropy. Originality/value This study was among the pioneering efforts to apply reciprocity theory to develop a conceptual framework that enriched the understanding of the mechanisms underlying operational and relational governance in buyer–supplier relationships and their influence on corporate philanthropy commitment. Additionally, it expands reciprocity theory by exploring in detail how diverse management exerts an impact on board governance and corporate philanthropy.