A Structural Equation Model for Disaster Management and Business Continuity Performance in Organized Industrial Zones

Organized Industrial Zones (OIZs) are highly vulnerable to disasters and business continuity disruptions due to their intensive production activities, critical infrastructure connections, and the concentration of numerous businesses. However, studies that address disaster management and business continuity performance together in OIZs and quantitatively test the relationships among the variables affecting this performance are limited. This study aims to identify the key variables affecting this performance and to test the relationships among them within a holistic structural model. A conceptual framework based on the literature and a questionnaire were developed accordingly; data were collected from 81 participants with knowledge and experience in this field. The proposed model was analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings showed that management and leadership have a strong influence on mitigation and preparedness processes, and that disaster management performance can largely be shaped by response and recovery capacity. The results revealed that disaster management performance in OIZs is strengthened not only by mitigation and preparedness activities but also by transforming these activities into effective response and recovery capacity. This paper contributes to the literature by proposing an integrated model and provides practitioners with a framework for developing capacity for mitigation, preparation, coordination, response, and recovery.