Required Factors of Business Continuity and Problems in Restoration Systems for Business Continuity Found in the Hearing Survey on Companies Affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake

Abstract

The Great East Japan Earthquake was the opportunity to clarify the problems of existing business continuity plans (BCP) of companies. The authors performed hearing surveys in affected companies (mainly small and medium-sized companies) which achieved early restoration. As a result, regardless of whether a company had BCP or not, it was required that top management recognized the allowable time and image of alternative site and, then take quick actions. The employees were expected to understand which resources are required and act voluntarily for recovery. On the other hand, BCP documents was effective only if the employees mastered them well, and the documents seemed to be simpler was better. A part of governmental restoration systems should be revised for business continuity of companies.