The corporate social responsibility role of international companies in disaster periods: The case of ETİ Food

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the efforts of businesses to evaluate their social, economic, and environmental impacts and mitigate negative effects. In recent years, the increase in natural disasters has significantly enhanced the role of international businesses in disaster relief and rehabilitation. The global impact of disasters has made the relationship between CSR and disaster management, particularly in terms of preparedness, emergency management, recovery, and reconstruction, critical. The integration of disaster management with social responsibility requires viewing CSR from a broader perspective. This study examines corporate social responsibility and disaster processes through a case analysis method, focusing on ETİ Gıda's development of the Disaster Biscuit to meet acute food needs during disaster periods, using publicly available resources and in-depth interviews with company officials. The research findings indicate that CSR activities during disaster periods contribute to strengthening social solidarity and rapidly healing social wounds, enhance companies' commitment to and reputation within society, and demonstrate that these activities are not limited to humanitarian aid but are integrated into the core business strategies of companies.