Examining the link between headquarter–disaster geographic distance and corporate philanthropic disaster response: board independence as a moderating factor in Japan

Purpose The central argument of this study is that corporate philanthropy results from a combination of a firm's internal resources and the extent to which natural disaster-affected communities capture the attention of corporate decision-makers. Drawing on the attention-based view (ABV), this study aims to provide novel insights into how geographic distance and board independence influence corporate philanthropic disaster response (CPDR) in the context of natural disasters in Japan. Design/methodology/approach Using a panel data analysis model with industry fixed effects, we compiled a dataset from two primary sources: Toyo Keizai Inc. and Nikkei Inc. The final dataset includes 752 observations of Japanese listed companies. To ensure the robustness of our findings, we also conducted lagged variable checks. Findings Our empirical findings indicate that greater geographic distance between a firm's headquarters and disaster sites reduces CPDR initiatives. Moreover, board independence mitigates this negative effect, effectively reversing the adverse impact of distance on CPDR. Originality/value This study integrates ABV to explain how geographic distance functions as a key driver of CPDR and examines the moderating role of board independence in the relationship between geographic distance and CPDR. By highlighting how geographic distance (or geographic proximity) shapes executive attention allocation following disasters, the study extends ABV to the context of CPDR. Methodologically, the study offers an innovative approach to measuring geographic distance. Unlike prior research that relies on a binary indicator of whether a firm is located within the disaster area, this study employs a continuous distance-based measure, allowing for greater precision and variation in capturing geographic proximity. This measurement refinement enhances the empirical assessment of distance effects and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of CPDR behavior.