Corporate engagement in natural disaster response has grown significantly in both scale and diversity during the last decade. Today, it is a central component of the international response machinery. Since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, large multinational corporations have become increasingly involved in on-the-ground response efforts, forming partnerships with traditional actors and with each other to enhance operating systems and to develop more rigorous strategic thinking in preparation for disaster assistance. The reasons for the rise in corporate action are multifold but generally stem from an expanded understanding of the roles and responsibilities of business in a fully globalized society. Moving beyond customary standards of corporate social responsibility, in the twenty-first century corporations have embraced an expanded agenda of global citizenship, which is perceived to be at the heart of strong corporate culture, brand reputation, and employee loyalty.

Contributions by: Hardin Lang