A humanitarian logistics framework for the Philippines: The case of Typhoon Haiyan

Logistics being used for humanitarian operations is known as humanitarian logistics. It is defined by Thomas (2003) as the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of goods and materials, as well as related information, from the point of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of alleviating the suffering of vulnerable people. Logistics in the humanitarian aspect is vital; it plays a critical role during disaster relief operations. It bridges the gaps between the different stages of the operations. It is also crucial because the success and the time duration of the response of major humanitarian programs depend on how effective the logistics plan is. Logistics also help out in the collection of data for future references regarding emergency preparedness (Thomas, 2003)

Improving the coordination in the humanitarian supply chain: exploring the role of options contract

The uncertainty associated with the location, severity and timing of disaster makes it difficult for the humanitarian organization (HO) to predict demand for the aid material and thereby making the relief material procurement even more challenging. This research explores whether options contract can be used as a mechanism to aid the HO in making procurement of relief material less challenging by addressing two main issues: inventory risk for buyers and over-production risk for suppliers. Furthermore, a contracting mechanism is designed to achieve coordination between the HO and aid material suppliers in the humanitarian supply chain through optimal pricing. The options contract is modelled as a stylized version of the newsvendor problem that allows the HO to adjust their order quantity after placing the initial order at the beginning of the planning horizon. This flexibility helps to mitigate the risk of both overstocking and understocking for the HO as well as the risk of overproduction for the supplier. Our results indicate that the optimal values for decision parameters are not “point estimates” but a range of prices, which can facilitate negotiation between the two parties for appropriate selection of contract parameters under an options contract. The results imply that options contract can aid in the decentralized approach of fixing the prices between the HO and the supplier, which in turn would help in achieving systemic coordination

To Greener Pastures: An Action Research Study on the Environmental Sustainability of Humanitarian Supply Chains

Purpose: While humanitarian supply chains (HSCs) inherently contribute to social sustainability by alleviating the suffering of afflicted communities, their unintended adverse environmental impact has been overlooked hitherto. This paper draws upon contingency theory to synthesize green practices for HSCs, identify the contingency factors that impact on greening HSCs and explore how focal humanitarian organizations (HOs) can cope with such contingency factors. Design/methodology/approach: Deploying an action research methodology, two-and-a-half cycles of collaboration between researchers and a United Nations agency were completed. The first half-cycle developed a deductive greening framework, synthesizing extant green practices from the literature. In the second and third cycles, green practices were adopted/customized/developed reflecting organizational and contextual contingency factors. Action steps were implemented in the HSC for prophylactics, involving an operational mix of disaster relief and development programs. Findings: First, the study presents a greening framework that synthesizes extant green practices in a suitable form for HOs. Second, it identifies the contingency factors associated with greening HSCs regarding funding environment, stakeholders, field of activity and organizational management. Third, it outlines the mechanisms for coping with the contingency factors identified, inter alia, improving the visibility of headquarters over field operations, promoting collaboration and resource sharing with other HOs as well as among different implementing partners in each country, and working with suppliers for greener packaging. The study advances a set of actionable propositions for greening HSCs. Practical implications: Using an action research methodology, the study makes strong practical contributions. Humanitarian practitioners can adopt the greening framework and the lessons learnt from the implementation cycles presented in this study. Originality/value: This is one of the first empirical studies to integrate environmental sustainability and HSCs using an action research methodology

Local resources and procurement practices in humanitarian supply chains:an empirical examination of large-scale house reconstruction projects

Different procurement decisions taken by relief organizations can result in considerably different implications in regards to transport, storage, and distribution of humanitarian aid and ultimately can influence the performance of the humanitarian supply chain and the delivery of the humanitarian aid. In this article, we look into what resources are needed and how these resources evolve in the delivery of humanitarian aid. Drawing on the resource-based view of the firm, we develop a framework to categorize the impact of local resources on the configuration of humanitarian supply chains. In contrast to other papers, the importance of localizing the configuration of the humanitarian supply chain is not only conceptually recognized, but empirical investigations are also provided. In terms of methodology, this article is based on the analysis of secondary data from two housing reconstruction projects. Findings indicate that the use of local resources in humanitarian aid has positive effects on programs' overall supply chain performance and these effects are not only related to the macroeconomic perspective, but benefits expand to improvements related to the use of knowledge. At the same time, it was found that local sourcing often comes with a number of problems. For example, in one of the cases, significant problems existed, which were related to the scarcity of local supplies. Both housing reconstruction projects have indicated the continuous need for changes throughout the programs as a dynamic supply chain configuration is important for the long-term sustainability of reconstruction aid

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

Resilience in Humanitarian Supply Chains: A Focus on the Procurement Decisions

This thesis looks into how the need for resilience in humanitarian aid supply chains influences procurement strategy decisions. Increasingly, the need for resilience in supply chains has become undoubted and management researchers have prescribed diverse ways of pursuing it; not only so that supply chains may be better prepared to avoid, respond and recover from disruptions, but to also provide them with competitive advantage. Considering that the procurement function has gone beyond a simple business function to include the strategic management of resources and suppliers when pursuing supply chain resilience (SCR), the role of procurement decisions cannot be understated, especially as suppliers could become significant sources of disruptions. This is even more pronounced in humanitarian supply chains where disruptions do not only result in the loss of limited resources but sometimes human lives as well. Due to this criticality for resilience in humanitarian supply chains and the limited research here particularly from a procurement perspective, this research collects qualitative data through semi-structured interviews and document analysis from 8 UK-based humanitarian organisations. The data is analysed to identify how these organisations pursue SCR formative elements from a procurement perspective and also how pre-contract procurement decisions relative to inter-organisational interactions are guided by the need for resilience. Findings show that cross-training, flexible contracting, and financial resilience are critical to attaining SCR in humanitarian supply chains as they influence many of the identified formative elements. Differences are identified in the relationships between decisions taken under procurement strategy towards resilience from those in commercial supply chains, with monetary value and donor requirements being major influencing factors. Donor influence on procurement decisions in humanitarian organisations is identified to positively influence multiple formative elements including risk avoidance, sustainability, decision making and culture. It however inhibits flexibility and agility. Contributions from this research include the presentation of a theoretical framework on procurement strategy decisions towards achieving SCR. This is then empirically tested in UK humanitarian supply chain context and a simple but useful framework to aid managerial decision making in the sector is provided

Crisis management: operational logistics and asset visibility technologies

MBA Professional ReportThe purpose of this MBA Project was to identify and explore logistical frameworks that leverage technology to overcome problems associated with coordinated logistics operations during crisis management. Over the past ten years, there have been significant advances in RFID, satellite and other related asset visibility technologies. These advances are mature enough to significantly increase the probability of achieving a useful common operational picture during emergency response activities. Recent crisis response operations that would have benefited from improved asset visibility include the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Pakistani earthquake, Hurricane Katrina and those related to the Global War on Terror. In each of these cases, multi-agency involvement, both foreign and domestic, compounded the complexity of asset tracking and communication protocols. The establishment of a logisticstracking framework that provides adequate asset visibility, while maintaining operational security, will greatly increase the effectiveness of future crisis response operations. The proposed logistics framework serves as a viable solution for common logistical problems encountered by the U.S. and other industrialized nations while conducting crisis response operations. The framework identifies concepts, technologies and protocols that can be used to improve crisis operations on a global scale.http://archive.org/details/crisismanagement1094510122Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Supplier Selection Criteria and Supply Chain Performance in Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya

The Non-Governmental Organization plays  a  key role in  Kenya’s  development. That’s why many NGO’s have deployed strategies in the management of their supply chain. These strategies include the criteria in which the NGO’s select their suppliers’. Selection   of   suppliers   is   a   process   that   involves   multi-objective   decision, encompassing many tangible and intangible factors in a hierarchical manner and the applicability of the criteria used will depend on the product or service produced and the market for which these products or services is targeted. NGO’s aim of making the best decisions in choosing a criterion is to optimized supply chain performance. The overall objective of this research was to determine the factors that affect supplier selection decisions and also to establish the relationships between supplier selection criteria and supply chain performance of NGO’s in Kenya. The study focused on only. 48 highly active NGO’s in Kenya from a population of 2,507 NGO’s available in Kenya. Descriptive research design and proportionate random sampling were used to achieve the results. In this paper a set of supplier selection decision was adapted to design the questionnaire for practical survey. The results confirmed that supply chain decisions play a very important role in agreement with the criteria aligning with the NGO’s strategy. Successful management of the supply chain is the key to the long term success of an organization. Suppliers have to be selected carefully, as they can have a very positive or a very adverse impact on the   overall performance of the organization. Key Words: Non-Governmental Organization; Supply Chain; Supplier selection; Performanc