Interesting new public-opinion findings are out about the role Chinese citizens believe corporate citizenship by multinational companies should play in earthquake recovery. Here are two, specifically:

• 88% of the interviewees agreed "the aid of an enterprise in this disaster is not a demonstration of benevolence but the social responsibility it should take."
• Moreover, 55% of the respondents expected that multinationals should shoulder more citizenship responsibilities because they benefit from China's economic successes.

Companies that BCLC works with are very generous when it comes to helping out with relief and long-term recovery after natural disasters. We’re aware of more than $100 million mobilized for the Sichuan Earthquake response, alone. Our website holds a lot of information about the corporate responses to disasters in recent years, from the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami to the current response efforts happening after this summer’s Midwest flooding.

Officials from many different companies — large, medium and small — have told us that their leadership and their employees want to respond to disasters because "it’s the right thing to do" and "they feel compelled to help out." They get involved because they know they can have a positive impact.

The typical corporate response to a disaster involves a relationship between the donor company and community organizations or relief agencies working on the ground. Partnerships and collaboration help ensure that resources — cash, expertise, products, etc. — brought to bear by both parties can be put to the most effective use to assist people as they try to regain their lives and livelihoods. 

Given the vast lack of public knowledge about how much companies already assist in their communities, it is not too surprising to see findings such as those above. That this type of business practice is now expected shows just how integral business really is to the positive, viable development of the world’s communities.