Date of Conferral
8-6-2026
Date of Award
August 2026
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Management
Advisor
Ashley Riebel
Abstract
Small businesses experience significant challenges sustaining operations during periods of disruption, including economic uncertainty, natural disasters, supply chain interruptions, and other environmental changes. This is a concern for small business owners because disruptions can reduce revenue and strain limited financial and operational resources, putting their continued survival at risk. Grounded in the resilience theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry project was to identify and explore effective strategies small business owners use to sustain their businesses during times of disruption. The participants were six small business owners in the southern United States. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and public documents and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: (a) financial preparedness, (b) adaptive leadership and employee support, (c) operational flexibility and innovation, and (d) technology adoption and communication. A key recommendation is that small business owners develop proactive financial and operational resilience plans before disruptions occur. The implications for positive social change include the potential for small business owners to implement practical strategies that strengthen long-term business sustainability, preserve employment opportunities, and promote economic stability within local communities.
Recommended Citation
Moon, Tracey Starr, "Effective Strategies Small Business Owners Use to Sustain their Businesses during Periods of Disruption" (2026). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 20536.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/20536
