International Journal of Business Continuity and Risk Management (4 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Lessons learnt from Stress Events on SMEs' Business Continuity Practices: Survey Evidence of Recommendations for Practitioners  
  by Jamal Shamieh 
  Abstract: Looking back at the negative impact of COVID-19 on businesses, this study aims to understand the kind of stress levels experienced within SMEs and how such businesses could bounce back from stressful times as well as a survey evidence of recommendations to improve. In order to get a comprehensive view of the small business context, the study uses a qualitative approach. The approach includes in-depth interviews with the businesses owners and analysis of case-studies collected from primary date for triangulation purposes. The findings show that some businesses already have essential strategies to handle stressful situations and thus can resume their operations, whether or not there are any specific patterns. However, many others do not have any strategies. This study provides practical implication for subject businesses to improve their capacity to deal with stressful occurrences by bringing in new ideas. Some specific lessons are built for business owners to enhance their business skills remotely. This research adds to knowledge by meticulously studying how such businesses react to stressful events and hence, improve their reactions. The unique knowledge that SMEs get from practical experiences is a way to make impactful decisions that add value to their businesses during hard times.
  Keywords: SMEs; Stress Events; Business Continuity; Resilience; Lessons Learned; Adaptive Strategies.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2026.10074701
   
  
• Exploring Distressed Venture Decision-Making during Turnarounds  
  by Maddy Brinkley, Marius Pretorius, Ingrid Le Roux 
  Abstract: Distressed decision-makers (business rescue practitioners or turnaround professionals) are confronted with multiple challenges to make the appropriate decisions at various stages of a distressed business event. Numerous variables may affect their decisions. Causal mapping was applied within a qualitative research design preceded by in-depth semi-structured interviews to create the priority matrix. Distressed decision makers do not have one specific decision-making process, and decision-making is largely situation dependent. The Companies Act, creditors, stakeholders, time, liability of data integrity, reasonable prospect, reputational risk, and experience were the most influential variables. Reasonable prospect judgement was found to govern the decision-making process. The distressed decision-making framework included awareness, causality, origin, severity, confidence, personal and external variables, and effectuation guiding decisions. Awareness and severity influence confidence to make decisions, as well as the personal and external variables, which are in turn influenced by causality and effectuation.
  Keywords: Business rescue; turnaround; distress; decision-making; reasonable prospect.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2026.10075302
   
  
• Sustainability Practices and Corporate Risk: a Panel Quantile Regression Analysis  
  by Tej Singh Nagar, Meera Bamba, Bharti Verma 
  Abstract: This study investigates the impact of corporate sustainability practices, measured through CSR expenditure, on corporate risk. Analysing 1566 (174 firms * 9 years) firm-year observations from 2016-2024 utilising OLS regression, the findings indicate that spending on CSR significantly reduces total risk for firms, although its impact on systematic risk is positive, yet not statistically significant. Quantile regression analysis demonstrates that CSR spending significantly reduces total risk at moderate quantiles; however, no notable effects are found at the lower and upper quantiles, which indicates that it effectively reduces the risk for firms with modest risk levels. On the other hand, Systematic risk has a negligible effect, with asymmetrical influence across various quantiles. Overall, the study highlights that corporate sustainability initiatives are crucial in reducing firm-specific total risks, offering valuable insights for managers seeking to integrate sustainability into risk mitigation strategies.
  Keywords: CSR; panel regression; sustainability; systematic risk; total risk.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2026.10076360
   
  
• Strategic Risk Prioritisation for Financial Continuity: Applying FM EA to Myanmar's Private Banking Sector  
  by Tin Htun Roger Aung  
  Abstract: This study employs Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), a technique traditionally applied in engineering, to identify and prioritize financial risks in Myanmar’s banking sector from 2018 to 2023. In an environment marked by political instability and economic volatility, six private banks were evaluated using key financial ratios and assigned Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs). The research identifies and ranks critical failure points in profitability, leverage, and capital adequacy. By adapting FMEA to financial systems, this study offers and applies a structured, proactive approach to business continuity and resilience in emerging market banking. Findings offer practical guidance for risk mitigation under systemic uncertainty.
  Keywords: Mitigation strategies for Financial Risk; Failure Mode and Effect Analysis; Financial Analysis; Emerging market; Risk management; Financial Resilience; Risk Assessment; Private Banks.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJBCRM.2026.10076818