A spatial correlation analysis of business operating status after an earthquake: A case study from Lushan, China

Abstract

Abstract The spatial interrelatedness of business recovery after a disaster is an issue that is often overlooked in disaster-related studies. The current study explores the spatial correlation of business operating status and its variability over time by using Moran s I, spatial Tobit model and LISA cluster map techniques. Field investigation data are collected from 951 retail businesses in Lushan Old County, China in the following periods after the 2013 Lushan earthquake: from 0 to 3 months, 0 to 1 year, 0 to 2 years, 0 to 3 years, and 0 to 4 years. Results show that the operating status of businesses had a significant positive global spatial dependence, which exhibited an inverted “U” trend with the change in time in the aftermath of the Lushan earthquake. The local spatial correlation of business operating status varies in different street regions. Eventually, an increasing number of business districts gradually turned into poorly operated or recovered regions after the earthquake. Findings of this study provide a new insight into the analysis of business recovery after a disaster. Moreover, results can be regarded as a solid theoretical foundation in formulating a contrapuntal strategy for post-disaster business restoration in different regions.