CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Böhler, Tabea |
|---|---|
| Title | Investigating Sense-Making and Resilience Perspectives of Austrian Micro and Small Enterprises Towards Flooding: A Qualitative Study |
| Summary | In a world increasingly characterized by climate change impacts, the likelihood and intensity of extreme weather events – such as heavy rain and floods – are expected to increase. Micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are particularly vulnerable to such events due to limited resources and low levels of preparedness. This study investigates the attitudes of Austrian MSE owners toward flood risk, their preparedness levels, and the challenges they face when building resilience to floods, after the catastrophic flood event that occurred in September 2024. Based on a literature review, twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with MSE owners from flood-affected areas. The data was analyzed using the qualitative coding software Atlas.ti in two coding cycles. The initial open coding identified themes and patterns in the participants’ narratives. Next, a deductive coding approach was applied using components from the Protection Motivation Theory, including threat appraisal and coping appraisal. The findings indicate resilience barriers MSEs face, reveal different stages of learning and applying past flood experiences to resilience-building, and result in a typology of different flood risk attitudes based on the participants’ narratives. In addition, results suggest a focus of MSE owners on physical flood preparation over organizational preparations-interventions. On this basis, it is recommended that local authorities and business associations support MSEs by organizing networking platforms to encourage knowledge exchange between flood experienced and unexperienced owners and offer consultations to identify an effective and business-specific resilience strategy which includes preparedness measures that go beyond physical flood protection. |
| Supervisor | Skouloudis, Antonis |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/boehler_tabea.pdf |
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