Why global businesses are becoming quietly entwined with the military

Big corporations are not just influenced by governments anymore—they are being increasingly influenced by the military, according to a new study from the University of Surrey. The research, published in the Journal of World Business, shows many multinational firms now build competitive advantage through structured relationships with military institutions, from hiring veterans and using security contractors to accessing defense-funded innovations and protecting markets. Rather than being rare or controversial, this behavior is becoming routine in unstable global markets.