Short answer
Design strategies for business continuity and resilience should prioritize collaborative learning and community-led action, leveraging the practical expertise of affected businesses.
- Field
- Commercial Production
- Source
- University of Salford Institutional Repository (University of Salford) (2015)
- Method
- Case study research combined with qualitative data analysis techniques.
- Sample
- 7 SMEs, plus representatives from the Environment Agency and Parish Council.
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
SMEs in flood-prone areas can significantly improve their resilience by actively participating in community-led initiatives and sharing their practical experiences. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in University of Salford Institutional Repository (University of Salford). Using Case study research combined with qualitative data analysis techniques. with 7 SMEs, plus representatives from the Environment Agency and Parish Council., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Design strategies for business continuity and resilience should prioritize collaborative learning and community-led action, leveraging the practical expertise of affected businesses.
Proactive Community Engagement Enhances SME Flood Resilience
SMEs in flood-prone areas can significantly improve their resilience by actively participating in community-led initiatives and sharing their practical experiences.
University of Salford Institutional Repository (University of Salford) · 2015
Key Findings
- 01SMEs possess valuable 'expert by experience' knowledge regarding flood resilience measures.
- 02There is a strong willingness among SMEs to share and enhance their collective learning about resilience.
- 03Sustained proactive initiatives by the Parish Council and SMEs keep flood issues prominent on the local agenda, even between events.
- 04Engaging SMEs and stakeholders in identifying their own resilience needs leads to more effective behavioral change than self-assessment alone.
Application
Design takeaway
Design strategies for business continuity and resilience should prioritize collaborative learning and community-led action, leveraging the practical expertise of affected businesses.
How to apply
When developing business continuity plans or resilience frameworks for SMEs, actively involve business owners in workshops and co-design sessions to capture their practical insights and foster buy-in.
Project actions
- 01When researching business challenges, consider the role of community and shared knowledge.
- 02Focus on how local groups can collaborate to solve common problems.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Direct engagement with SMEs and local stakeholders provides rich, contextual data.
- +Validation of findings through feedback sessions enhances credibility.
Limitations
The findings are context-specific to Braunton and may not apply universally. The study relies on qualitative data, which can be subject to interpretation.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced by using standardized interview protocols and multiple coders for content analysis. Validity is strengthened by triangulation of data from SMEs and stakeholders, and by the validation process with the community.
Think critically
To what extent can the 'expert by experience' knowledge of SMEs be objectively quantified and integrated into formal risk assessment models?
Design Principles
"Empowerment through shared experience: Resilience strategies are most effective when co-created by those directly impacted, fostering a sense of ownership and shared responsibility."
This research highlights that the most effective strategies for enhancing SME resilience to disruptive events like flooding emerge from the ground up. By fostering a collaborative environment where SMEs, local authorities, and community groups share knowledge and drive proactive measures, businesses can better prepare for and mitigate the impact of future crises.
What This Means for Your Design
Businesses that face problems like flooding can get better at dealing with them if they talk to each other and work with their local council to plan ahead.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this study to justify the importance of stakeholder engagement and community involvement in your design project, especially if it addresses resilience or risk management.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research by Ingirige and Russell (2015) demonstrates that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) possess invaluable practical knowledge regarding resilience to disruptive events like flooding. Their findings suggest that proactive, community-driven initiatives, where SMEs actively share their experiences and collaborate with local authorities, are more effective in enhancing resilience than individual self-assessment. This highlights the importance of co-design and participatory approaches in developing robust business continuity and risk management strategies.
Source
University of Salford Institutional Repository (University of Salford)
Investigating SME resilience to flooding : the Braunton report
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about proactive community engagement enhances sme flood resilience?
- Design strategies for business continuity and resilience should prioritize collaborative learning and community-led action, leveraging the practical expertise of affected businesses. Evidence: University of Salford Institutional Repository (University of Salford) (2015).
- Why does "Proactive Community Engagement Enhances SME Flood Resilience" matter for design?
- This research highlights that the most effective strategies for enhancing SME resilience to disruptive events like flooding emerge from the ground up. By fostering a collaborative environment where SMEs, local authorities, and community groups share knowledge and drive proactive measures, businesses can better prepare for and mitigate the impact of future crises.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Design strategies for business continuity and resilience should prioritize collaborative learning and community-led action, leveraging the practical expertise of affected businesses.
- What were the main findings?
- SMEs possess valuable 'expert by experience' knowledge regarding flood resilience measures.. There is a strong willingness among SMEs to share and enhance their collective learning about resilience.. Sustained proactive initiatives by the Parish Council and SMEs keep flood issues prominent on the local agenda, even between events.. Engaging SMEs and stakeholders in identifying their own resilience needs leads to more effective behavioral change than self-assessment alone.
- What research method was used?
- Case study research combined with qualitative data analysis techniques. with 7 SMEs, plus representatives from the Environment Agency and Parish Council..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from University of Salford Institutional Repository (University of Salford).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing business continuity plans or resilience frameworks for SMEs, actively involve business owners in workshops and co-design sessions to capture their practical insights and foster buy-in.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is specific to a single village street and may not be generalizable to all SME contexts or types of disruptive events. The 'expert by experience' findings are subjective and rely on self-reporting.