FINANCIAL RESILIENCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Abstract

This study explores the concept of financial resilience and the implementation of risk management strategies in international business operations. In an era of heightened uncertainty, ranging from global financial crises and trade wars to pandemics and climate-related disruptions, multinational corporations (MNCs) face increasing challenges to maintain stability and competitiveness. Drawing on interdisciplinary theories of financial risk management, organizational resilience, and global economics, this article examines the mechanisms through which international firms build adaptive capacities, diversify financial structures, and implement effective governance. The findings contribute to both theoretical and practical understanding of how financial resilience can be systematically cultivated in multinational enterprises (MNEs) to mitigate risks and ensure sustainable growth. The study adopts a qualitative multiple-case design, analyzing four leading MNCs from different industries: Apple (technology), Shell (energy), Unilever (consumer goods), and HSBC (finance). Data were collected from annual reports, ESG disclosures, and industry databases, complemented by secondary literature. A comparative framework was applied to evaluate three pillars of resilience: liquidity and capital buffering, diversification of revenue and operations, and governance integration, including ESG practices.