No Seat at the Table: How Territoriality Constrains Cross-sector Collaboration in Disaster Response

Dorothee Nussbruch*, Verena Girschik

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In the context of increasingly frequent climate-related disasters, this article examines whether and how private sector actors can participate in disaster response and work closely with established authorities. We adopt the concept of territoriality from human geography to explain why actors in authoritative positions may exclude others from participation even when they present a clear value proposition. Grounded in an in-depth case study of a local private sector organization in Vanuatu, we identify three relational dynamics between a private sector organization and sovereign authorities in disaster response. We observe that mutually defined collaboration fosters pragmatic legitimacy for private actors. Private actors’ unilateral role expansion in search of moral legitimacy, however, threatens sovereign authorities. This threat leads to a collaboration deadlock as sovereign actors reinforce a traditional division of labor between sectors and delegitimize the private actor’s participation. Our study contributes to the literature on cross-sector social interactions (CSSI) by explaining how authority constrains cross-sector collaboration and how private actors can gain and lose legitimacy for such collaborations. We further explore the tensions that arise when private actors use crises as windows of opportunity for showcasing the societal value of their participation. We conclude by offering practical recommendations for enhancing private sector participation in disaster response.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Business Ethics
Number of pages24
ISSN0167-4544
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Dec 2024

Bibliographical note

E-pub ahead of print. Published online: 30 December 2024.

Keywords

  • Cross-sector social interactions (CSSIs)
  • Cross-sector collaboration
  • Climate change
  • Disaster response
  • Legitimacy
  • Societal crises
  • Territoriality

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