Business Disruption Due to Earthquake-Induced Lifeline Interruption
Files
Date
1995
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Disaster Research Center
Abstract
The importance of continuity in the provision of lifeline services has been long recognized with respect to facilitating emergency response to a major earthquake, but little attention has been directed toward the importance of lifeline continuity for minimizing economic disruption. This paper focuses on the indirect economic impacts of lifeline disruption on businesses. A study was conducted with a random sample of businesses in Memphis, Tennessee to determine their dependence on various lifeline systems and what level of economic impacts businesses would experience if those systems failed. Findings point to the need to address this problem with a collective approach by integrating lifeline service providers into community recovery planning and by involving business associations in educational programs for their members.
Description
Keywords
lifeline service, economic disruption, business disruption, earthquake