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The philanthropic LLC: Business influence over/via EdTech

Author

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  • Patil, Lara
  • Reiser, Dana Brakman

Abstract

This paper presents a specific legal vehicle for for-profit philanthropy, the limited liability corporation, and analyzes: to what extent the philanthropic limited liability corporation is blurring the lines between high-net-worth individuals and the corporations they found and lead; how new modes of engagement are shifting dynamics between corporate capitalist business rationales and philanthropic endeavors and, in turn, impact the nature of education technology solutions made available; and how technology and philanthropic sector convergence is affecting power relations, educational inequalities, and global North/South relations. The theoretical framing draws from contemporary comparative education research, where scholars are comprehensively unpacking transnational education transfer processes, and contributes to a growing body of critical EdTech scholarship rethinking the presence of technologies in our lives and schooling. The findings demonstrate how the autonomy of for-profit philanthropy is increasingly linked to the institutional profit rationales of affiliate corporations, with elite philanthropists leveraging philanthropy to advance their own business development and growth impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Patil, Lara & Reiser, Dana Brakman, 2025. "The philanthropic LLC: Business influence over/via EdTech," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:115:y:2025:i:c:s0738059325000707
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103272
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    3. Patil, Lara, 2021. "Disaster philanthropy: Exploring the power and influence of for-profit philanthropy in education development during pandemic times," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    4. Patil, Lara, 2023. "The business of development: The institutional rationales of technology corporations in educational development," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
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