Abstract

Keywords

۱٫ Introduction

۲٫ Methodology

۳٫ Result

۴٫ Discussion

۵٫ Conclusion

Declaration of competing interest

Acknowledgement

References

Abstract

This paper highlights the factors affecting SMEs flood disaster preparedness located in Segamat District of Malaysia. An interviewer-assisted survey using a set of flood disaster preparedness questionnaire (developed and validated by a team of disaster management experts from various background) were implemented among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) business owners and managers (n = 253). The analysis of regression provided insights into the various factors affecting the contribution of small and medium-sized businesses towards flood preparedness activities. Findings demonstrated that risk perception is the most consistent factors in influencing preparedness actions. Besides that, previous experiences on floods, retails sectors and male ownership also contributed to a high level of flood disaster preparedness engagement. This research gave insight at why small and medium-sized businesses are involved in disaster preparedness activities which includes discussion from a review of previous findings.

۱٫ Introduction

The study of disaster management and business organisation is becoming an increasingly popular field today. There have been numerous previous studies which explored the various aspects of disaster management and impact including the effect of implementing disaster preparedness activities. Tierney et al. [1] are amongst the earliest scholars who researched disaster preparedness involving firms in a chemical processing company. Drabek [2] conducted a study on the disaster preparedness of private business where the extent of evacuation planning involving 65 tourist firms included a written plan, property protection, staff training, exercise and drill, and employer commitment. Dahlhamer & Souza [3] further explored preparedness of private firms by comparing the preparedness of two business sample locations (Memphis and Des Moines) based on the previous earthquake disaster and Midwest Flood respectively. Tierney [4] also researched the Northridge Earthquake impact on businesses and identified earthquake preparedness measures that businesses had undertaken before the disaster. A more recent study was conducted by Sadiq [5], focusing on determining the effects of organisational size on preparedness actions.

The sudden impact of disaster does not only affect domestic activities (household and local community) but also pose a serious concern to commercial businesses which can include structural damage, interruption of utility services and an indirect cause of productivity loss (travel immobility of both customers and workers to the business premises) [4]. These impacts of disasters can be reduced through preparedness activities undertaken by organisations. Disaster preparedness comprises of activities designed to enhance the ability of businesses in undergoing emergency actions to protect properties, contain disaster damage and promote engagement of post-disaster restoration and early recovery [6]. The preparedness activities conducted by organisations are often influenced by several factors.