Title: Mobilising corporate resources to disasters: a comparative analysis of major initiatives

Authors: Matt Statler, Peter Burgi, Bill Raisch

Addresses: International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP), 113 University Place, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA. ' International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP), 113 University Place, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA. ' International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP), 113 University Place, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA

Abstract: As major disasters have had increasing impacts around the world in recent years, corporations have increasingly mobilised resources in support of disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts undertaken by governmental and nongovernmental organisations. But how and why exactly do corporations increasingly mobilise resources to disasters? Organisational researchers continue to lack basic descriptive data as well as theoretical frameworks to respond to these basic questions. This paper responds to this need by presenting descriptive research findings regarding a series of programmes designed to mobilise corporate resources to disasters. We conduct a first-order analysis of these data, and then reflect on the findings in light of existing theories of Corporate Social Performance (CSP), resilience and intangible assets. Based on these reflections, we develop a new theory that frames the mobilisation of corporate resources to disasters as a strategic attempt to develop interdependent resilience as a common intangible asset.

Keywords: disaster preparedness; disaster management; emergency management; major disasters; corporate social performance; CSP; interdependent resilience; interdependency; intangible assets; corporate resources.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTPM.2008.020164

International Journal of Technology, Policy and Management, 2008 Vol.8 No.4, pp.359 - 382

Published online: 03 Sep 2008 *

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