Entrepreneurial intention in the context of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Authors

Espinal, Anael

Muñoz Valenciano, Edgardo

Durón, Reyna M.

Delgado Elvir, Rafael

Chang Tam, Raúl Javier

Hernández, Javier

Portillo, Maloy

Abstract

Northern Honduras experienced a high impact from hurricanes Eta and Iota during a peak of COVID-19 in 2020. Field surveys were conducted to assess the experiences and perceptions of the residents of the city of San Pedro Sula, as part of UNITEC's "Earth Observations Data Center" project. ArcGIS Survey and PowerBI were used to process and visualize responses from 1,428 respondents (see Cortés Data Hub). The main impacts were loss of employment, death of family members, migration, damage to homes and closure of businesses. 48% of those surveyed reported the intention of starting a business, especially related to the opening of various types of stores, the sale of supplies, technology and various types of services. 22% of those interviewed expressed their intention to emigrate. The supply of options for successful enterprises is an urgency on the part of the state and the private sector. Academic institutions must also innovate to respond to these population needs and mitigate the impact of natural and health events.