A unique approach to corporate disaster philanthropy focused on delivering technology and expertise

Abstract

The role of corporations and their corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related response to disasters in support of their communities has not been extensively documented; thus, this article attempts to explain the role that one corporation, IBM, has played in disaster response and how it has used IBM and open-source technologies to deal with a broad range of disasters. These technologies range from advanced seismic monitoring and flood management to predicting and improving refugee flows. The article outlines various principles that have guided IBM in shaping its disaster response and provides some insights into various sources of useful data and applications that can be used in these critical situations. It also details one example of an emerging technology that is being used in these efforts.