Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration
Major
Business Administration
Date of Defense
5-6-2026
Graduate Advisor
Gerald Gao
Committee
Timothy Dombrowski
Ho Kim
Abstract
Philanthropy plays a key role in the funding of institutions of higher education. Previous research has focused on domestic populations, exploring the antecedents and elements of philanthropy in higher education. The literature has yet to examine differences in these elements between domestic and international, or distance extremes, amongst alumni populations. This study investigates the perceptions and motivating factors influencing alumni who experience significant geographic separation from their Higher Education Institution (HEI) and their philanthropic support for their alma mater. The conceptual model includes factors at the organization-to-organization, person-to-organization, and person-to-person levels and their moderating effects on the relationship between trust and attitude toward giving (ATG). Results contribute to the understanding of trust and philanthropic intent among international and distance-experienced populations in higher education, which is critical to HEIs' efforts to improve fundraising performance.
Recommended Citation
Held, John, "Do International Alumni Give Differently? A Study on the Alumni Philanthropic Perspective of Trust and Key Relational Factors Affecting Attitude Towards Giving" (2026). Dissertations. 1611.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1611
Included in
International Business Commons, Nonprofit Administration and Management Commons, Nonprofit Studies Commons