Entrepreneurship and crisis management: The experiences of small businesses during the London 2011 riots. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Doern, Rachel
• Is Part Of: International small business journal. Volume 34:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 276
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: crises -- crisis management -- qualitative -- riots -- small businesses; Small business -- Periodicals; 338.64205
• DOI: 10.1177/0266242614553863
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-2426

Abstract

This article examines the impact of a crisis on small firms. Taking a phenomenological research approach, qualitative interviews were conducted to capture the experiences of small businesses directly affected by looting, vandalism and/or arson in the London 2011 riots. This study adds to the literature on crisis management by highlighting the different types of losses encountered by small businesses following a crisis and the role individual owner–managers, businesses and the wider community play in enhancing or minimizing losses. A model is developed to capture those factors that influence which small businesses were vulnerable or resilient to the riots.