More than a trek: On the role of social capital disasters - An exploratory case study of trekking and adventure companies' efforts in the disaster response after the 2015 earthquake in Nepal

Abstract: Background and problem: The engagement by private sector in disaster response has been increasing throughout the years as well as the interest for social capital in disasters. However, the social capital and private sector engagement in disasters is an area of research which contains plenty of gaps. Purpose: This study’s purpose is to explore the private sector engagement in disaster response and to extend the understanding of the role of social capital in disasters. The purpose is to shed empirical light on what difference social capital can make after a disaster, and in what way it could be useful to consider in disaster management. Method: A case study has been conducted where the empirical data has been collected mainly through observations and interviews. The key respondents consisted of representatives from five trekking and adventure companies engaged in the disaster response in Nepal, after the 2015 earthquake. The empirical data has in turn been closely examined and analysed as well as compared and contrasted to a theoretical framework. Results and conclusion: The results show that the trekking and adventure companies mainly participated in the disaster response by providing relief materials to areas which they had some type of connection to. They did so, and were able to do so, because they had access to certain important factors, such as an existing organisation, personnel and modes of transport which enabled them to engage in the disaster response. Moreover, they had social capital that allowed them to collect funds and access critical information. From our findings we have drawn the conclusion that social capital played an important role in enabling the trekking and adventure companies to both engage in as well as to expand their engagement in the disaster response. All of the key respondents had actively used their social capital and received most of the funding by using it. The results of this study point to the possible advantage of further integrating the private sector and tourism companies in disaster response and disaster management. Contributions: This study contributes and provides implications to the unexplored field of social capital in disaster response and disaster management, especially in relation to the private sector. The findings relates to literature on sustainable tourism and CSR, showing an example of how social capital can be mobilised and play an important role in the aftermath of disasters.