Facility Location Planning in Relief Logistics: Decision Support for German Authorities

Disasters have devastating impacts on societies, affecting millions of people and businesses each year. The delivery of essential goods to beneficiaries in the aftermath of a disaster is one of the main objectives of relief logistics. In this context, selecting suitable locations for three different types of essential facilities is central: warehouses, distribution centers, and points of distribution. The present dissertation aims to improve relief logistics by advancing the location selection process and its core components. Five studies published as companion articles address substantial aspects of relief logistics. Despite the case studies\u27 geographical focus on Germany, valuable insights for relief logistics are derived that could also be applied to other countries. Study A addresses the importance of public-private collaboration in disasters and highlights the significance of considering differences in resources, capabilities, and strategies when using logistical models. Moreover, power differences, information sharing, and partner selection also play an important role. Study B elaborates on the challenges to identify candidate locations for warehouses, which are jointly used by public and private actors, and suggests a methodology to approach the collaborative warehouse selection process. Study C investigates the distribution center selection process and highlights that including decision-makers\u27 preferences in the objective function of location selection models helps to raise awareness of the implications of location decisions and increases transparency for decision-makers and the general population. Study D analyzes the urban water supply in disasters using a combination of emergency wells and mobile water treatment systems. Selected locations of mobile systems change significantly if vulnerable parts of the population are prioritized. Study E highlights the importance of accurate information in disasters and introduces a framework that allows determining the value of accurate information and the planning error due to inaccurate information. In addition to the detailed results of the case studies, four general recommendations for authorities are derived: First, it is essential to collect information before the start of the disaster. Second, training exercises or role-playing simulations with companies will help to ensure that planned collaboration processes can be implemented in practice. Third, targeted adjustments to the German disaster management system can strengthen the country\u27s resilience. Fourth, initiating public debates on strategies to prioritize parts of the population might increase the acceptance of the related decision and the stockpiling of goods for the people who know in advance that they will likely not receive support. The present dissertation provides valuable insights into disaster relief. Therefore, it offers the potential to significantly improve the distribution of goods in the aftermath of future disasters and increase disaster resilience

Facility Location Planning in Relief Logistics: Decision Support for German Authorities

The delivery of essential goods to beneficiaries in the aftermath of a disaster is one of the main objectives of relief logistics. Thereby, the present work aims to improve relief logistics by improving the location selection of warehouses, distribution centers, and points of distribution. Consequently, it offers the potential to significantly improve the distribution of goods in the aftermath of future disasters and, thereby, increase disaster resilience

Relief distribution networks : a systematic review

In the last 20 years, Emergency Management has received increasing attention from the scientific community. Meanwhile, the study of relief distribution networks has become one of the most popular topics within the Emergency Management field. In fact, the number and variety of contributions devoted to the design or the management of relief distribution networks has exploded in the recent years, motivating the need for a structured and systematic analysis of the works on this specific topic. To this end, this paper presents a systematic review of contributions on relief distribution networks in response to disasters. Through a systematic and scientific methodology, it gathers and consolidates the published research works in a transparent and objective way. It pursues three goals. First, to conduct an up-to-date survey of the research in relief distribution networks focusing on the logistics aspects of the problem, which despite the number of previous reviews has been overlooked in the past. Second, to highlight the trends and the most promising challenges in the modeling and resolution approaches and, finally, to identify future research perspectives that need to be explored

Public-private perspectives on supply chains of essential goods in crisis management

Public authorities are responsible to maintain the population’s supply with essential goods like food or drugs at any time. Such goods are produced, transported and sold by companies in supply chains. Past supply crises all over the world have showcased numerous examples of spontaneous collaboration between public authorities and companies in supply chains. However, insights on formal collaboration which is agreed upon in the preparedness phase is rare in both practice and literature. Therefore, this dissertation’s first research objective is to identify under which circumstances companies are most willing to collaborate with public authorities. In this context, public authorities\u27 and companies\u27 characteristics, resources and roles in a collaboration are identified from literature research as well as real-life cases in Study A. Study B empirically determines companies\u27 preferred preconditions for collaboration: Companies value the continuity of their business processes and expect to be compensated monetarily or by lifted restrictions. The second research objective is to develop collaborative supply chain concepts and evaluate them from public and private perspectives. Study C develops a collaboration concept in a real-time setting in which commercial trucks are jointly re-routed into crisis regions. In Study D, public authorities coordinate tactical use of commercial last-mile delivery vehicles for the home supply with food and drugs. In Study E, strategic collaboration in using dual-use warehouses is investigated with a focus on logistics networks. Study F determines the impact of demand shortfalls and payment term extensions on financial and physical flows in food supply chains. In Studies C-F, the main drivers for effectiveness and efficiency are investigated. By examining collaboration between companies and public authorities in supply crises, this dissertation contributes to the research streams of supply chain risk management and so-called extreme supply chain management. The results provide public decision-makers with insights into companies\u27 motivation to engage in public crisis management. The developed collaborative supply chain concepts serve public authorities as a basis for collaboration design and companies as starting points for integrating public-private collaboration into their endeavors to make supply chains more resilient

Public-private collaborations in emergency logistics: A framework based on logistical and game-theoretical concepts

Collaboration in emergency logistics can be beneficial for governmental actors when supply chains need to be set up immediately. In comparison to research on humanitarian-business partnerships, the body of literature on so-called Public–Private Emergency Collaborations (PPEC) remains scarce. Private companies are only rarely considered within research on emergency collaborations, although they serve as an important chain in the efficient supply of goods given their resources and existing communication networks. Based on this research gap, we contribute to the research field by quantitatively evaluating public–private collaboration in emergency logistics. A framework for public–private emergency collaborations is developed based on logistical and game-theoretical concepts. In addition, we characterize both public and private actors’ possible roles in emergency logistics based on literature research and real cases. Furthermore, we provide a structured overview on existing PPECs and the challenges they are confronted with. The game-theoretic PPEC model created in this paper provides more detailed information into the motivation and incentives of the partners involved in emergency collaborations. Inspired by game-theoretic accounts of conventional public–private partnerships, this model sheds light on the partners’ participation constraints (which define the scope of collaboration), the effects on the outcome if the partners’ contributions are strategic substitutes, and on reputational effects. Finally, we illustrate how a mechanism design approach can be used by the state to transform the firm’s incentives into lower levels of undersupply or deprivation

Application of a Blockchain Enabled Model in Disaster Aids Supply Network Resilience

The disaster area is a dynamic environment. The bottleneck in distributing the supplies may be from the damaged infrastructure or the unavailability of accurate information about the required amounts. The success of the disaster response network is based on collaboration, coordination, sovereignty, and equality in relief distribution. Therefore, a reliable dynamic communication system is required to facilitate the interactions, enhance the knowledge for the relief operation, prioritize, and coordinate the goods distribution. One of the promising innovative technologies is blockchain technology which enables transparent, secure, and real-time information exchange and automation through smart contracts. This study analyzes the application of blockchain technology on disaster management resilience. The influences of this most promising application on the disaster aid supply network resilience combined with the Internet of Things (IoT) and Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS) algorithm are explored employing a network-based simulation. The theoretical analysis reveals an advancement in disaster-aids supply network strategies using smart contracts for collaborations. The simulation study indicates an enhance in resilience by improvement in collaboration and communication due to more time-efficient processing for disaster supply management. From the investigations, insights have been derived for researchers in the field and the managers interested in practical implementation

Supply Chain Management Models To Improve The Impact Of Orthopaedic Equipment Donations

More than any other surgical subspecialty, orthopaedic surgery relies heavily on the use of implants and instruments, particularly in the provision of trauma related orthopaedic injuries, which are increasingly prevalent in low-income countries (LICs). The current international response to improving musculoskeletal care in LICs, is primarily geared towards increasing the donation of supplies used in orthopaedic surgical procedures. This study outlines the current response, and assesses the supply chain component of international aid efforts to improve fracture care. It then explores this component with a goal of determining how a sustainable source of functional implants can be delivered to skilled surgeons, to maximize the synergy of appropriate training and proper equipment towards delivering safe, simple and cost effective orthopaedic care in resource poor settings. There are two hypotheses: The first claims that the creation of a `coordinating unit\u27 authorized to manage the supply donation process and the stakeholders involved, will improve the delivery of musculoskeletal care in LICs. The second claims that the implementation of a virtual and physical supply chain platform will improve the delivery of musculoskeletal care in LICs. The hypotheses propose that a correlation exists between optimization of the donation process and the achievement of improved delivery of musculoskeletal care. The research methodology is qualitative, consisting of interviews and observations, field research, literature reviews and case studies. Study findings reveal that conducting local needs assessments, helping recipients identify and communicate demands, and confirming the presence of adequate local infrastructure and workforce capacity to receive and utilize donated equipment, are essential steps that should be executed prior to the deployment of donations, both within disaster and non- disaster contexts. In addition findings indicate that investment in logistical platforms and supply chains to manage donations, and establishment of a central coordinating unit to link stakeholders and information exchange, are highly instrumental in optimizing the provision of supplies and thus the delivery of orthopaedic care. The study results support the hypothesis that a `coordinating unit\u27 can provide a standard approach towards assessing need, capacity, and resource inventory, and can coordinate stakeholders in a manner that maximizes the use of individual and corporate donations, and supports the surgical capabilities of surgeons and healthcare workers delivering musculoskeletal care in LICs

Sustainable humanitarian supply chains: a systematic literature review and research propositions

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesise the body of knowledge related to sustainable humanitarian supply chains across disaster relief as well as those of logistics of development aid. The output of this paper is a set of research propositions that will help advance theory building and validation for the management of sustainable humanitarian supply chains. This systematic review identifies and categorises sustainable humanitarian supply chain management (SHSCM) themes, with a particular emphasis on theoretical development based on a categorical analysis of research articles. The thematic analysis reveals that sustainability in humanitarian supply chains encompasses a wide range of aspects, such as supply network configuration, coordination, and partnership, as well as performance measurement. However, theoretical studies typically do not integrate all sustainability dimensions. In particular, social sustainability factors are largely absent from current models of SHSCM, despite their inherent significance in humanitarian contexts. The categorical analysis explains how aspects related to the identified themes impact and pose opportunities for SHSCM. Insights from this systematic review can support humanitarian supply chain sustainability knowledge with policy-driven research directions. These policies can help achieve a greater level of sustainability in humanitarian supply chain management. The originality of this study lies in the development of detailed categories of sustainability studies, in its analytical focus on SHSCM theories, and in the development of research propositions to provide insights to researchers on how to advance theory and conduct impactful research on the topic of SHSCM

Public-Private Collaborations in Emergency Logistics: A Framework based on Logistical and Game-Theoretical Concepts

Collaboration in emergency logistics can be beneficial for governmental actors when supply chains need to be set up immediately. In comparison to research on humanitarian-business partnerships, the body of literature on so-called Public-Private Emergency Collaborations (PPEC) remains scarce. Private companies are only rarely considered within research on emergency collaborations, although they could contribute to a more efficient supply of goods given their resources and existing communication networks. Based on this research gap, this paper develops a logistical and game-theoretical modeling framework for public-private emergency collaborations. We characterize both public and private actors\u27 possible roles in emergency logistics based on literature research and real cases. Furthermore, we provide an overview on existing PPECs and the challenges they are confronted with. The concluding framework contains aspects from humanitarian logistics on the governmental side and from business continuity management (BCM) or corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the commercial side. To address the challenge of evaluating different objectives in a collaboration, we add a game-theoretical approach to highlight the incentive structure of both parties in such a collaboration. In this way, we contribute to the research field by quantitatively evaluating public-private collaboration in emergency logistics while considering the problem-specific challenge of the parties\u27 different objectives