Surviving Disasters: A Multi-company Case Study on Disaster Recovery Plans

Abstract

This multiple case study investigated strategies that three small real estate business leaders in southeastern Louisiana used to resume and sustain operations after a natural disaster. The chaos theory and stakeholder theory were the conceptual frameworks used. Data were collected from semistructured interviews, review of business continuity plans, and member checking. Emergent themes were leaders’ education and abilities, stakeholder engagement, planning and critical processes, and disaster response. Study findings include identification of effective strategies for increasing small business sustainability through implementation of proven business continuity strategies to help keep communities intact, reestablish commerce, and contribute to regional economic sustainability.