Humanitarian Supply Chain Research Articles

Synchronized Humanitarian, Military and Commercial Logistics: An Evolving Synergistic Partnership

The increasing complexity and often transboundary scope of complex emergencies are exceeding the capacity of humanitarian logistics systems. The military plays a growing role in supplementing and even leading humanitarian assistance and disaster relief logistics. However, issues relating to military involvement such as sovereignty and cost have refocused the conversation onto capabilities and capacities of commercial logistics providers, who have not been fully engaged and integrated into disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities. The commercial sector is part of the larger supply chain management system that includes contracting, procurement, storage, and transportation of food, water, medicine, and other supplies, as well as human resources, and necessary machinery and equipment. Military and commercial logistics share many of these elements and tasks daily. The most effective and efficient response combines key elements from humanitarian, military, and commercial logistics systems. Such trilateral cooperation represents the next step in an evolving partnership paradigm that is truly synergistic. We present a Synchronized Disaster Relief Model, as well as multiple examples of how military, commercial, and humanitarian supply chains each bring unique capabilities to disaster relief operations, and how these three supply chains can complement each other in a synergistic manner, through synchronized action.

The Humanitarian Supply Chain Assessment Tool (HumSCAT)

PurposeAn understanding of the “AS-IS” stage of a relief operation is the basis for further action in humanitarian supply chain management. The purpose of this paper is to develop a toolbox called the Humanitarian Supply Chain Assessment Tool (HumSCAT). This toolbox is comprised of a set of basic tools which can be classified into each phase of disaster relief.Design/methodology/approachThe HumSCAT is proposed by paralleling frequently used tools in commercial supply chains with the objectives and characteristics of relief phases. A case study was used to validate the HumSCAT along with six tools provided in the preparation phase.FindingsThe HumSCAT consists of seven tools in the preparation phase, nine tools in the response phase and ten tools in the recovery phase. The case study illustrates how to use the HumSCAT and the six tools. The latter were found to be useful for improving the relief chain.Research limitations/implicationsThe list of tools is not exclusive. Other tools might be applicable as long as they meet the objectives and characteristics of the phase. A tool should be adjusted accordingly to the contexts. Tools in other phases should be validated in future research.Practical implicationsThe HumSCAT may serve as a reference toolbox for practitioners. Its output can be used for further designing of the “TO-BE” status of humanitarian relief chains.Originality/valueThe HumSCAT is proposed as a toolbox for academics and practitioners involved in humanitarian supply chains.

A comprehensive framework for analyzing challenges in humanitarian supply chain management: A case study of the Iranian Red Crescent Society

A Humanitarian supply chain deals with the delivery of supplies to the population of areas affected by natural disasters. One of the most important issues in Humanitarian Supply Chain Management (HSCM) is identifying and structuring different challenges and barriers in relief chains. This study is an attempt to provide a comprehensive framework for HSCM challenges in a case study of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS). We identify HSCM challenges through literature review and expert opinions and use Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) to select the most important challenges. Fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modeling (FISM) is then used to map the cause and effect relationships among various factors and develop a holistic picture of the main HSCM challenges. Finally, the overall framework of the HSCM challenges and the hierarchical model of the FISM are statistically verified using the Partial Least Square (PLS) method. We identify “managerial challenges” (at the category level), and “unfamiliarity of top managers with management knowledge” and “inappropriate division of labor” (at the sub-challenges level) as the root sub-challenges in this case study. Challenges not handled properly in pre-disaster stage will most likely occur more drastically in the post-disaster stage of the operations. The proposed model provides insightful guideline for increasing the effectiveness of relief efforts.

Using collaborative research methodologies in humanitarian supply chains

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an existing collaborative research methodology process (Sabri, 2018), contextualise it for application in humanitarian supply chains and test it empirically. Design/methodology/approach Building on collaborative research methodology and humanitarian supply chain literature, the Sabri’s (2018) collaborative research methodology process is further developed to comprise eight phases of collaborative research contextualised for the humanitarian supply chain domain. The process is applied in a collaborative research case of academia–practitioner knowledge co-creation in a humanitarian supply chain setting, focussing on environmental sustainability improvement. The collaborative case analysis suggests a number of refinements to the elements of the process. This study undertook two cycles of academia–practitioner collaborative research. Findings In testing the process, a noticeable improvement in the collaboration among different humanitarian stakeholders was observed, leading to improved stakeholder management. The implementation improved the sustainability awareness and social inclusion of the affected population. Rurality, remoteness, security issues and resistance of field staff against change were among the main challenges for supply chain researchers to engage in collaborative research in the humanitarian domain. Originality/value The paper addresses the rigour‒relevance‒reflectiveness debate in the humanitarian supply chain domain. A collaborative research methodology process derived from action research is further developed using humanitarian literature, and then it is applied in a humanitarian logistics case focussed on environmental sustainability. The present collaborative research process facilitates engaged scholarship among the humanitarian stakeholders, as the researchers’ roles move from observatory to participatory knowledge broker.

An optimal redistribution plan considering aftermath disruption in disaster management

Unpredictable occurrence of any disaster emerges immeasurable demand in an affected society. Importance of immediate response in the aftermath of disaster is a crucial part of humanitarian logistic. Resource redistribution among the affected areas makes the optimal allocation in this chaotic situation. The research work has introduced a transportation plan considering the redistribution of resources from those areas which has already acquired relief and restored the normal condition to those areas still not being recovered from the effect of calamities. This research plan is developed to minimize the total cost of the relief operation as well as optimal allocation of the resources. The optimal allocation amidst the disruption of some resource storing points in the aftermath attack of disaster is also one of the key factors of the research. This research work has a great impact for decision-maker to derive an appropriate decision-making in such an anarchic situation of critical humanitarian supply chain. Due to the complexity of disaster, the model is considered in mixed uncertain environment. A numerical study is also performed to show the smooth functioning of the mathematical model assuming the uncertainty by trapezoidal neutrosophic number. Also, trapezoidal fuzzy number is implemented for uncertain parameters of the mathematical model and hereby compared with trapezoidal neutrosophic number.

THE AGILITY, ADAPTABILITY, AND ALIGNMENT AS THE DETERMINANTS OF THE SUSTAINABLE HUMANITARIAN SUPPLY CHAIN DESIGN

Purpose: The main objective behind the study is to investigate the relationship between agility, adaptability and alignment as determinant of the Sustainable Humanitarian Supply Chain Design. Methodology: The fashion industry is one of the dynamic industries, which undergoes rapid transformation in both the demand and flexibility. A review of the earlier relevant research in the area has been included in the research paper along with an analysis of HSC in comparison to other commercial supply chains. This research paper goes over the definition of SHSC, development, and hurdles in its design, identification of research limitations and development of a model and hypothesis. Statistical analysis for example surveys, sample design, data assembling, variables/measure of identification, bias/pre-testing has been included to support the claims made in the paper. Results: The firms operating in the manufacturing of Indonesia are chosen as the sample of the study. Employing the survey-based methodology, the SEM-PLS technique is used to test the hypothesized relationships. So, the current study has used SEM-PLS as a statistical tool to answer the research questions raised in this study and research objectives envisaged in the current study. The findings of the study have provided support to the theoretical foundation and proposed hypothesis of the current study. Current study will be helpful for policymakers and practitioners in understanding the issues related to supply chain risk, supply chain integration and supply chain performance. In the author's knowledge this is among very few pioneering studies on this issue.

From Space to Supply Chains: A Plan for Humanitarian Data Governance

In June of 2019, the World Food Programme (WFP) issued an ultimatum to the Houthi Government in Yemen: participate in our biometric identification system or receive less aid. The Houthis chose to a partial stoppage of aid, accusing the WFP of being a surveillance operation. The issue is complicated – on both sides – but it points to a significantly larger trend: humanitarian organizations’ digital operations and data sharing relationships increasingly shape whether beneficiaries, governments, and partners trust them. And, for humanitarian organizations, trust determines their license to operate, which is often negotiated with a range of parties in difficult contexts. At a practical level, humanitarian organizations digital transformations aren’t just changing response efforts – they’re also changing the role of humanitarian organizations themselves, from direct service providers to managing a network of digital vendors, public/private partnerships, local partners, and governments – and all of their competing interests in the data response efforts produce. Humanitarian organizations are increasingly in the position of negotiating the license to operate, including to collect and share data, without the ability to enforce those licenses across their supply chains. As a result, one of the clearest opportunities to protect shrinking humanitarian space is to focus on building transparent data management and governance into humanitarian supply chain contracting. This article highlights the relationship between digitization and humanitarian supply chains, with a focus on data protection and governance, and makes concrete recommendations on where to focus reform efforts to meet practical needs of digital humanitarianism.

Exploring the role of power on procurement and supply chain management systems in a humanitarian organisation: a socio-technical systems view

As major disasters vary in both severity and incidence, making appropriate humanitarian responses critical, disaster relief supply chains increasingly incorporate both social and technical aspects into their operations. Power relations and their implications appear to have been overlooked in existing research into humanitarian supply chain management systems; thus, this research examines the extent to which power influences the decision-making process of the purchasing function. We use socio-technical systems theory to uncover the role of power in this context. As a result of this research, a new framework is developed to provide a concise yet holistic approach to understanding power using a real-life case study from the humanitarian realm. The outcomes suggest that local culture can determine power relations in disaster relief operations via vested interests and lobbying with foreign donors.

Humanitarian supply chain management frameworks

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine and compare extant framework in humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM) and to propose a framework on humanitarian supply chain (HSC) performance measurement based on the content, context and process.Design/methodology/approachThe structured keywords, namely humanitarian supply chain (HSC), humanitarian logistic (HL), humanitarian relief chain (HRC) and humanitarian chain (HC) as an exact phrase were searched in the title, abstract and keywords in the academic database. A total of 66 peer-reviewed articles were selected for analysis purpose that reports framework from the reviewed literature. These selected frameworks are categorized in dimensions, namely framework novelty, framework source, recognize elements/constructs of framework, comparative analysis of the framework and in-depth study of HSCM performance measurement.FindingsThe analysis reveals that the majority of these developed frameworks are novel and academic based. Case study is most prominent research methodology in the development of HSCM framework. Lack of coordination among humanitarian stakeholders is the major challenge in the empirical implementation of framework. This study proposes future research trend toward a unified HSCM framework that will facilitate to uncover the coherent set of elements/constructs in the field of HSCM.Research limitations/implicationsThis study considers peer-reviewed articles published in English language, and excludes conference papers, working articles, technical data/reports and book chapters.Practical implicationsThis study categorizes new dimension for framework analysis and proposed an HSC performance measurement framework which gives new insights to the academicians, practitioners and policy makers for future work.Social implicationsThis examination gives the establishment to facilitate investigation of viable, efficient and effective HSCM, and detail opportunities for practices.Originality/valueThis study critically analyzes 66 frameworks under the different criteria to identify research gap and trends. Furthermore, this study proposes the HSC performance measurement framework.

Government intervention on cooperation, competition, and coopetition of humanitarian supply chains

We considered a humanitarian environment composed of donors and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that the non-profits may adopt competitive or coopetitive inter-organizational interaction for managing the disasters. We also assumed that the government intervenes in the relief operations by applying one of its two policies; social welfare maximization (SWM) or budget consumption minimization (BCM). Using game theory (GT) approach, we develop 4 scenarios and, as a result, 4 mathematical programming models for examining the effect of the NGOs interactions and the government policies on the performance of donors, NGOs and government. We find that coopetition of NGOs facilitates the achievement of the government's objectives, and it also helps the non-profits to become more successful in providing relief. The government prefers to provide the indirect relief to the nonprofits to manage emergency operations successfully, and the financial aids are given only in the condition of reducing the level of NGOs cooperation. We also conclude that the cooperation of NGOs increases the donors' utility. A numerical example is conducted to test the findings of the models.

A robust multi-objective humanitarian relief chain network design for earthquake response, with evacuation assumption under uncertainties

In this paper, we have proposed a multi-objective mathematical model for the humanitarian supply chain design problem that minimizes: (1) total number of the injured not transferred to hospitals and total number of the homeless not evacuated from the affected area, and (2) total unmet relief commodity needs. In this model, such parameters as the demand and travel time have been considered as uncertain and two discrete robust counterpart models (with “ellipsoidal” and “box and polyhedral” uncertainty sets) have been developed to model uncertainties. Results found from Tehran Case Study have revealed that the one with the “box and polyhedral” uncertainty set performs better than the “ellipsoidal” set.

Prioritization of cyclone preparedness activities in humanitarian supply chains using fuzzy analytical network process

During recent years, the importance of preparedness has increased with increasing frequency of disasters and the cost associated with relief and response activities. Therefore, this study is designed to present the identification and evaluation process of cyclone disaster’s preparedness activities also termed as measures. In this study, 27 cyclone preparedness activities have been prioritized considering six criteria—effective and immediate response, last mile connectivity, disaster resilient community, risk and vulnerability reduction, life safety and property protection, and sustainable recovery and rehabilitation. Moreover, the evaluation process for prioritization of preparedness activities involves significant uncertainty and subjectivity. Therefore, this study integrates the fuzzy logic with analytical network process, a multi-criteria decision-making tool to analyze and present the ranking of selected preparedness activities. Results of this research indicate that human resource management activities are the most needed preparedness activities to mitigate the risk of cyclone disasters in the Indian context. Lastly, sensitivity analysis has also accompanied to reveal the importance of weighing on the ranking of preparedness activities.

Decentralized beneficiary behavior in humanitarian supply chains: models, performance bounds, and coordination mechanisms

Effectiveness in humanitarian supply chain operations depends on the critical last mile between beneficiaries and needed supplies or services. Often, the last mile is traveled by the beneficiaries themselves. This paper’s focus is on systems in which beneficiaries make autonomous decisions about where to seek supplies or services using a utility function that captures distance, congestion, and the relative importance of the two factors. We model beneficiary behavior as a network congestion game where the resources are a set of facilities from which individuals choose. Importantly, our models capture the fact that the relative importance of distance and congestion may be specific to both the individual and the facility; we represent this using a factor called the congestion weight. We prove new bounds on the system performance that results from decentralized beneficiary decisions in comparison to centralized optimal assignments, and we introduce mechanisms for achieving centrally optimal outcomes even in the presence of decentralization. We demonstrate the methods with data from the international public health response to the Haiti cholera epidemic.

Analysis of Multi-objective Decision Problems in Humanitarian Supply Chains

Analysis of Multi-objective Decision Problems in Humanitarian Supply Chains

On the role of regional hubs in the environmental sustainability of humanitarian supply chains

AbstractIn spite of strong commitment of humanitarian and development communities with the protection of our planet, expressed through the Sustainable Development Goals in the Agenda 2030, environmental sustainability still remains an overlooked aspect in humanitarian supply chains (HSCs). Using a collaborative mixed‐methods research with an international humanitarian organization, this paper sheds light on the causes of unsustainable operations in HSCs and investigates the impact of regional hubs on the environmental sustainability. First, an in‐depth focus group was conducted involving the organization's employees and the research team to identify the main causes contributing to unsustainable HSC in the organization. Five categories of causes were identified, namely, supply chain configuration (SCC), transportation, donors, material and waste, and humanitarian specificities. Then, based on respondents' prioritization, SCC was selected as the most important category. Carbon footprinting for three SCC scenarios was conducted: the current SCC and two conceptual SCC with two hubs in East and West Africa with different replenishment windows. The results reveal that the SCCs with hubs outperform the current SCC in terms of carbon footprint. Finally, the challenges of implementing the conceptual SCCs and possible solutions to address them were discussed through follow‐up individual interviews.

A disaster typology towards informing humanitarian relief supply chain design

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to construct a typology of a disaster that informs humanitarian-relief supply chain (HRSC) design across the stages of disaster relief.Design/methodology/approachIn addition to an interdisciplinary review of pertinent literature, this paper utilises a typology construction method to propose theoretically and methodologically sound dimensions of disasters.FindingsWhilst semantic arguments surrounding the concept of a “disaster” are ongoing, the authors propose three typologies based upon six dimensions that serve as interdependent variables informing resultant HRSC design considerations. These are speed of onset, time horizon, spatial considerations, affected population needs, perceived probability of occurrence and perceived magnitude of consequence. These combinational and independent relationships of the variables offer insight into key HRSC design-making considerations.Research limitations/implicationsThe study improves conceptual knowledge of disasters, distilling the concept to only the dimensions applicable to HRSC design, omitting other applications. The typologies provide empirical cell types based on extant literature, but do not apply the models towards new or future phenomena.Practical implicationsThis paper provides HRSC practitioners with normative guidance through a more targeted approach to disaster relief, with a focus on the impacted system and resulting interactions’ correspondence to HRSC design.Originality/valueThis paper provides three typological models of disasters uniquely constructed for HRSC design across the various stages of disaster relief.

Humanitarian logistics and supply chain management - a qualitative study

Humanitarian logistics and supply chain management - a qualitative study

An integrated AHP-based scheme for performance measurement in humanitarian supply chains

PurposeIn recent years, several performance indicators have been proposed in humanitarian supply chains (HSCs). Selecting the most relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) is challenging for some humanitarian organizations (HOs) because it involves a considerable amount of complexity and information overload which could lead to judgment biases in the decision-making process. Existing performance measurement studies lack critical analysis for prioritization of performance indicators. Since the process of KPIs selection and categorization is a complex, domain based and subjective process, a systematic guideline is needed. To address this gap, the purpose of this paper is to propose an integrated performance measurement scheme that can consolidate KPIs into an overall performance score based on the weighting of the performance indicators in HSCs.Design/methodology/approachData collection was based on questionnaire surveys and direct interviews with practitioners from international HOs.FindingsThis paper proposes an integrated scheme based on balanced scorecard and analytic hierarchy process for performance evaluation of HOs.Research limitations/implicationsThe respondents were limited to the humanitarian logistics experts from Malaysian-based international HOs.Practical implicationsThe scheme enables the benchmarking of HOs’ performance that could be useful for decision makers in HSCs.Originality/valueThis paper provides the ranking and prioritization of KPIs in HSCs. The approach presented in this paper enables an effective and integrated performance measurement in HSCs.

Agent-based evaluation of humanitarian relief goods supply capability

Natural disasters cause great damage to lives, assets, and the economy. In disaster areas, relief goods are essential sources of life supplies, particularly in the post-disaster context. This study develops a prototype of a spatially explicit agent-based model and uses it to evaluate the deviation of end products between supply and demand for humanitarian relief goods in the areas affected by disaster within a specified time frame. The case modeled here is the supply of refined oil to areas affected by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. The approach focuses on supply and uses socio-spatial datasets, as well as transport and refined oil supply data. Based on the supply of refined oil to the disaster areas after the disaster, this study conducted a quantitative analysis using agent-based simulation of the humanitarian relief supply chain. The study finds that the approach is viable, despite the limitations of publicly available datasets on relief goods in China. The study asserts that this approach has potential in assisting policymakers seeking to identify system vulnerabilities and increase resilience in disaster-prone and disaster areas.

Organizational coordination in sustainable humanitarian supply chain: An evolutionary game approach

Sustainable humanitarian supply chain has a great impact on saving lives, decreasing human suffering and contributing to development. Organizational coordination plays an important role in it, although it is uncommon to be established due to the conflicting interests and expectations. To cope with the problem and achieve the sustainability of humanitarian supply chain, the coordination between private sector and humanitarian organization was further discussed with the help of sustainable principle regarding stakeholder approach. Different from the existing literature that elaborated the drivers and the advantages of coordination, this paper aims to explore the coordination mechanism regarding whether to coordinate, when to adopt the optimal coordinated strategy and how such a strategy can perform well. To analyze the tendency of the coordinated decisions, evolutionary game models concerning traditional and trust mechanisms were developed. Then, computational studies based on hypothetic data were simulated to validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. Results indicated that the coordination decision was affected by coordinated returns and costs, normal returns and extra returns in terms of the traditional mechanism. Several situations in regard to the coordinated decisions were analyzed by adopting evolutionary stable strategies. Moreover, trust had a significantly positive impact on coordination promotion under the support of potential returns and high-level trust. Finally, managerial insights for achieving the sustainable humanitarian supply chain were given from the perspective of organizational coordination and strategy.