Abstract
PurposeOutsourcing of logistics has great importance in disaster relief. Aid agencies spend several billion US dollars every year on logistics services. However, the concept of outsourcing has not been established adequately in literature on humanitarian logistics, leading to a fragmented view of the practice. This paper provides a holistic perspective of the concept by constructing a conceptual framework to analyze both practice and research of outsourcing in humanitarian operations. Based on this analysis, we explore future trends and identify research gaps.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on a structured review of academic literature, a two-round Delphi study with 31 experts from aid agencies and a complementary full-day focus group with twelve experts from aid agencies and logistics service providers.FindingsThe paper systemizes the current practice of outsourcing in humanitarian logistics according to a conceptual framework of five dimensions: subject, object, partner, design and context. In addition, it reveals ten probable developments of the practice over the next years. Finally, it describes eight important research gaps and presents a research agenda for the field.Research limitations/implicationsThe literature review considered peer-reviewed academic papers. Practitioner papers could provide additional insights into the practice. Moreover, the Delphi study focused on the perspective of aid agencies. Capturing the views of logistics service providers in more detail would be a valuable addition.Originality/valueThe paper establishes the academic basis for the important practice of outsourcing in humanitarian logistics. It highlights essential research gaps and, thereby, opens up the field for future research.
Highlights
The term “outsourcing”, derived from the expression “outside resourcing” (Stevenson, 2010), describes the approach of organizations to make use of resources beyond their organizational boundaries
Comparing the perspective taken by these papers, we find that 11 papers look at the concept from an Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) perspective, nine from a systems perspective, 11 from a humanitarian organizations (HOs) perspective, one from an inter-organizational perspective, and two from a government perspective
Our findings suggest that aid agencies will become more professional with respect to outsourcing engagements, but at the same time might have to hire more professional support for engaging LSPs in the future
Summary
The term “outsourcing”, derived from the expression “outside resourcing” (Stevenson, 2010), describes the approach of organizations to make use of resources beyond their organizational boundaries. A considerable number of articles have been published in recent years, which investigate the concept of outsourcing in humanitarian logistics, but use different expressions to reference it, for example “partnerships with LSPs”, “coordination with LSPs” or “cooperation with LSPs” (Bealt et al, 2016; Balcik et al, 2010; Schulz and Blecken, 2010). While none of these terms is synonymous with “outsourcing”, they are often used interchangeably. As HOs operate in a truly specific environment, the frame around the framework emphasizes important characteristics of the context in which outsourcing is implemented
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
