An evaluation on the security of small businesses after earthquake from the perspective of disaster management

Turkey is located in a region that has been frequently affected by natural disasters throughout history. The geological structure of the country, being built on three major active fault lines, increases its susceptibility to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides and avalanches. These disasters not only cause physical destruction, but also have deep effects on economic, social solidarity and the quality of life of individuals. The study aims to comprehensively address the difficulties of small businesses, which are of critical importance especially for the sustainability of local economies, in this process. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the current situation regarding the post-disaster security of small businesses in Türkiye, to identify the problems encountered and to develop sustainable solution proposals. While developing innovative strategies to ensure the security of small businesses after a disaster, it has been discussed in detail how common models can be created with the cooperation of the public, private sector and civil society organizations. The study suggests multifaceted strategies such as insurance, digitalization, legal regulations and economic preparation that can be implemented to ensure the business continuity of businesses, especially after devastating natural disasters such as earthquakes. The study, which is addressed within the framework of management sciences, draws attention to the importance of public-private sector cooperation and civil society participation in creating disaster-resilient societies. In this context, how development plans and risk management policies can be integrated with disaster management is analyzed. In addition, the role of digital transformation, cloud services and community-based cooperation models in increasing the resilience of small businesses against disasters is emphasized. As a result, the security and sustainability problems that small businesses face in post-disaster processes lead to a weakening of the role of businesses in economic development and to the negative impact of local economies. The innovative policies and solution proposals presented in the study show that public-private sector cooperation, education and governance-oriented approaches will play an important role in increasing the resilience of small businesses against disasters. The study identifies the current deficiencies in Türkiye's disaster management system and provides a roadmap for the development of more inclusive and effective models. Thus, the devastating effects of disasters on local economies can be minimized and societies and businesses can be made more resilient. Turkey is located in a region that has been frequently affected by natural disasters throughout history. The geological structure of the country, being built on three major active fault lines, increases its susceptibility to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides and avalanches. These disasters not only cause physical destruction, but also have deep effects on economic, social solidarity and the quality of life of individuals. The study aims to comprehensively address the difficulties of small businesses, which are of critical importance especially for the sustainability of local economies, in this process. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the current situation regarding the post-disaster security of small businesses in Türkiye, to identify the problems encountered and to develop sustainable solution proposals. While developing innovative strategies to ensure the security of small businesses after a disaster, it has been discussed in detail how common models can be created with the cooperation of the public, private sector and civil society organizations. The study suggests multifaceted strategies such as insurance, digitalization, legal regulations and economic preparation that can be implemented to ensure the business continuity of businesses, especially after devastating natural disasters such as earthquakes. The study, which is addressed within the framework of management sciences, draws attention to the importance of public-private sector cooperation and civil society participation in creating disaster-resilient societies. In this context, how development plans and risk management policies can be integrated with disaster management is analyzed. In addition, the role of digital transformation, cloud services and community-based cooperation models in increasing the resilience of small businesses against disasters is emphasized. As a result, the security and sustainability problems that small businesses face in post-disaster processes lead to a weakening of the role of businesses in economic development and to the negative impact of local economies. The innovative policies and solution proposals presented in the study show that public-private sector cooperation, education and governance-oriented approaches will play an important role in increasing the resilience of small businesses against disasters. The study identifies the current deficiencies in Türkiye's disaster management system and provides a roadmap for the development of more inclusive and effective models. Thus, the devastating effects of disasters on local economies can be minimized and societies and businesses can be made more resilient.