ABSTRACT
The concept of corporate diplomacy recognizes that corporations can use their increasing global power to address broader social and political concerns. Corporations, either through independent efforts or intentional coordination with governments, can be a force for global change and can affect the overall image and soft power of the nation with which a corporation is associated. Corporations not only have the influence and resources to impact international issues, but also have increasing demands and pressures from stakeholders to use corporate resources in ways that are socially responsible. The growing role of corporations as non-state actors in public diplomacy has been acknowledged by scholars and practitioners, and participation of international corporations in public diplomacy has been endorsed by government entities, political think tanks, and academics; however, the motivations and functions of corporate diplomacy are understudied and differ among nations.
