Abstract: This thesis provides an empirical examination of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on business continuity planning and disaster recovery planning among businesses in Luxembourg. Guided by an initial set of six hypotheses derived from literature, this research employed a qualitative method, conducting interviews with 11 Deloitte employees and 4 professionals from different sectors in Luxembourg.
The findings revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of continuous adaptation, improvement, and integration of BCPs and DRPs. Businesses have reevaluated the criticality of different aspects of their operations and updated their response strategies accordingly. The pandemic has also led to an increased scrutiny from auditors and regulators, prompting businesses to engage in more rigorous testing of their BCPs and DRPs and to involve external expertise for plan development and certification.
Moreover, the research highlighted the need for improved communication strategies, greater cooperation with local government officials, and more proactive collaboration among stakeholders.
The interviews also suggested that digital transformation and shifts to remote work were integral components of these strategic shifts. However, further research is needed to explicitly investigate these areas, as well as the broader socio-economic impacts of crises and the specifics of supply chain resilience.
Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of BCPs and DRPs in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, providing valuable insights for businesses, regulators, and policymakers. It underscores the importance of empirical evidence in grounding and enhancing theoretical hypotheses, highlighting the need for businesses to remain adaptable and resilient in the face of evolving threats.