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Small business recovery and resilience in the aftermath of hurricane Harvey

Author

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  • Cardella, Eric
  • Keeler, Zachary
  • Ewing, Bradley T.
  • Liang, Daan

Abstract

There is a converging consensus among the scientific community that tropical storm activity will continue to increase in severity, at least in part due to evolving climate change. Given the destructive nature of these tropical storms, it remains of utmost importance how to increase the resiliency and sustainability of communities in hurricane-prone areas. Using detailed data from a large-scale, firm-level survey post-Hurricane Harvey, we identify possible indicators/drivers of recovery and resiliency of small businesses, which are often the lifeblood of local communities. Our descriptive analysis suggests linkages between firm characteristics, financial and operational strategies, access to credit, mitigation actions, damages, and recovery trajectories. Overall, this study provides valuable insight into the role of small businesses in resilience planning and recovery improvement following severe hurricanes.

Suggested Citation

  • Cardella, Eric & Keeler, Zachary & Ewing, Bradley T. & Liang, Daan, 2025. "Small business recovery and resilience in the aftermath of hurricane Harvey," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:234:y:2025:i:c:s0167268125001489
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2025.107029
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • H54 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Infrastructures
    • H84 - Public Economics - - Miscellaneous Issues - - - Disaster Aid
    • M2 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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