Businesses and Disasters: Empirical Patterns and Unanswered Questions
Date
1999
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Disaster Research Center
Abstract
Through five systematic, large-scale mail surveys conducted since 1993, the Disaster
Research Center (DRC) has obtained data on hazard awareness, preparedness, disaster impacts,
and short- and long-term recovery among 5,000 private-sector firms in communities across the
United States (Memphis/Shelby County, Tennessee, Des Moines, Iowa, Los Angeles, California,
Santa Cruz County, California, and South Dade County, Florida). This paper summarizes
findings from those studies in three major areas: factors influencing business disaster
preparedness; disaster-related sources of business disruption and financial loss; and factors that affect the ability of businesses to recover following major disaster events. Implications of the research for business contingency planning and business disaster management are discussed.
Description
Keywords
Industry, Economics, Disaster Recovery