DISASTER RECOVERY PRACTICES IN SMALL BUSINESS: A DELPHI STUDY OF FACTORS AFFECTING ADOPTION

In response to the devastation of recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, this research in progress intends to identify small businesses that are at-risk of failing if they experience a data loss caused by a community-wide natural disaster. As guided by classical innovation diffusion theory, the phenomenon of adopting disaster recovery practices within small businesses is studied form the point-of-view of small businesses. Practitioner-oriented literature is reviewed to identify relevant disaster recovery practices that are classified within a risk management framework. A Delphi study is initiated among small businesses to (a) identify current disaster recovery practices employed to prevent data loss, and (b) ascertain the current levels of awareness and adoption of disaster recovery practices. The results of the review are reported along with the initial findings of a Delphi study still in progress.