Working with the Elite: the Intersection of Social Work and Corporate Foundations - the Case of Zuellig Family Foundation

Authors

  • Suzanne Magalona Nazal Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Nadya Ysabelle Dizon Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman
  • Quiel Alec Caguimbal Endaya Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i2.47

Abstract

Social Work draws from various disciplines but is perceived to be the direct opposite of corporate work, however, there is a need to work with the elite for the sake of social development due to their available resources and skills that social workers lack. While Corporate Social Responsibility typically takes the form of dole-outs on a voluntary basis, it has begun to transition into building partnerships with communities. Data from the Local Health System program of Zuellig Family Foundation was examined to (a) describe the developmental principles used by an elite foundation for the development and implementation of their program, (b) determine the intersection of the operations of the program with the Empowerment Theory and Developmental Perspective as practiced by the Social Work profession, and (c) discuss the role of social workers in corporate-led programs. Despite the surface differences of social work and corporate work, foundations of the elite can be effective contributors to social change and development, and can work with the Social Work profession in empowering communities that suffer from inequities. The findings of the study indicate that social work professionals and other humanities professions must explore partnerships with corporate-led foundations to deepen knowledge bases and ensure social development.

 

Keywords: Social Work profession, Corporate Social Responsibility, Empowerment Theory, Developmental Perspective, Zuellig Family Foundation, Local Health System, partnership

Author Biographies

Suzanne Magalona Nazal, Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman

Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social Work of the College of Social Work and Community Development, University of the Philippines Diliman. She handles courses on social work research, project development, and social work in a global context. The author joined the academe in January 2020, when the COVID pandemic first struck. Prior to teaching, the author worked at the Asian Development Bank for 18 years as senior officer. Her responsibilities focused on  strengthening the institution’s engagement with civil society organizations and NGOs. The author completed her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines Diliman

Nadya Ysabelle Dizon, Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman

Undergraduate Student, College of Social Work and Community Development: Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman. Philippines. BS in Social Work. Interests include corporate social responsibility, corporate social work, social impact, social policy, and participatory development.

Quiel Alec Caguimbal Endaya, Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman

Undergraduate Student, College of Social Work and Community Development: Department of Social Work, University of the Philippines Diliman. Philippines. BS in Social Work. Interests include corporate social work, philanthropic partnerships, governance, community participation, and empowerment. 

 

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Published

2023-12-29

How to Cite

Nazal, S. M., Dizon, N. Y., & Endaya, . Q. A. C. . (2023). Working with the Elite: the Intersection of Social Work and Corporate Foundations - the Case of Zuellig Family Foundation. Asean Social Work Journal, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.58671/aswj.v11i2.47

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 2, December 2023

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2023 Suzanne Magalona-Nazal Nazal, Nadya Ysabelle Dizon, Quiel Endaya

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