A Risk Scenario for Small Businesses in Hurricane Sandy Type Disasters

Abstract

This research uses a series of surveys followed by mathematical modeling to help discover risk factors, mitigating actions, and the highest return scenarios as a basis for a low-cost business continuity/disaster recovery plan. The surveys use a Delphi study format in order to rank a base list of risks and mitigating actions and to supplement those lists with ones added by the participants. Survey results are analyzed and presented back to the group for a second round of ranking and supplementing the risk/action categories. This paper describes the top ten risks and high value scenario for small business interruptions as determined by a Delphi survey of small businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. The highest ranked risk is loss of business reputation. The research then uses Cross Impact Analysis and Interpretive Structural Modeling to determine the risk interactions and the highest valued scenario for which to prepare.