Reopening businesses after Hurricane Harvey: evidence from a duration model with spatial effects

Abstract

Post-disaster business return is key to restoring the local economy. This paper applies a duration model to analyse factors that explain the delay in reopening a business in south Texas, United States, after Hurricane Harvey struck the region in August 2017. Other than property damage, the duration of business closure depended on the type of business and the various characteristics of its owner. Reflecting the vital role that social capital plays in disaster resilience, local chamber of commerce members tended to reopen their businesses sooner than their non-member counterparts. Yet, there is evidence in support of the vulnerability of female chamber members. In addition to social networks, the finding of spatial interdependence implies that the decision of business owners to resume operations in the wake of a disaster is influenced by the decisions of their neighbours. Spatial interdependence also highlights the importance of providing disaster relief to businesses in a timely manner.

Performance stability among small and medium-sized enterprises during COVID-19: A test of the efficacy of dynamic capabilities

“…Next, smallness enhances the ability to quickly pivot from old to new business models, as the quick reconfiguration of resources is easier when organisations are agile and less saddled with embedded structures, routines, political factions, bureaucracy and other inertial anchors ( Eggers, 2020 ; Kraus et al, 2020 ; Teece, 2011 ; Uhlaner et al, 2013 ). Finally, smaller SMEs are more likely to have personal relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in ways that facilitate the timely generation of new DCs ( Borch and Madsen, 2007 ; Lee, 2021 ). In short, the types of DCs smaller SMEs possess are likely to help them more quickly adapt to the COVID-19 environment.…”

A National Survey Assessing SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Intentions: Implications for Future Public Health Communication Efforts

“…; CDC, 2020a ). Beyond individual behaviors, local and state governments across the country enacted various “stay-at-home” orders and closed nonessential businesses during parts of March, April, and May ( Lee et al, 2020 ). Despite these measures, COVID-19 has caused a serious disease burden to the U.S. health care system.…”

The Effect of Risk, R&D Intensity, Liquidity, and Inventory on Firm Performance during COVID-19: Evidence from US Manufacturing Industry

“…It can be harder to find new suppliers than new customers, and disruptions are magnified by imperfect input substitutability and relying on single versus redundant chains-yet trading partners can also offer support (Atan and Snyder 2012;Carvalho et al 2021;Todo et al 2013;Tokui et al 2017). Lee's (2021) study of performance after Hurricane Harvey in the USA echoes this point, as social capital increased survival rates.…”