Two-stage network design in humanitarian logistics.

Natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes can cause multiple deaths, injuries, and severe damage to properties. In order to minimize the impact of such disasters, emergency response plans should be developed well in advance of such events. Moreover, because different organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and militaries are involved in emergency response, the development of a coordination scheme is necessary to efficiently organize all the activities and minimize the impact of disasters. The logistics network design component of emergency management includes determining where to store emergency relief materials, the corresponding quantities and distribution to the affected areas in a cost effective and timely manner. In a two-echelon humanitarian relief chain, relief materials are pre-positioned first in regional rescue centers (RRCs), supply sources, or they are donated to centers. These materials are then shipped to local rescue centers (LRCs) that distribute these materials locally. Finally, different relief materials will be delivered to demand points (also called affected areas or AAs). Before the occurrence of a disaster, exact data pertaining to the origin of demand, amount of demand at these points, availability of routes, availability of LRCs, percentage of usable pre-positioned material, and others are not available. Hence, in order to make a location-allocation model for pre-positioning relief material, we can estimate data based on prior events and consequently develop a stochastic model. The outputs of this model are the location and the amount of pre-positioned material at each RRC as well as the distribution of relief materials through LRCs to demand points. Once the disaster occurs, actual values of the parameters we seek (e.g., demand) will be available. Also, other supply sources such as donation centers and vendors can be taken into account. Hence, using updated data, a new location-allocation plan should be developed and used. It should be mentioned that in the aftermath of the disaster, new parameters such as reliability of routes, ransack probability of routes and priority of singular demand points will be accessible. Therefore, the related model will have multiple objectives. In this dissertation, we first develop a comprehensive pre-positioning model that minimizes the total cost while considering a time limit for deliveries. The model incorporates shortage, transportation, and holding costs. It also considers limited capacities for each RRC and LRC. Moreover, it has the availability of direct shipments (i.e., shipments can be done from RRCs directly to AAs) and also has service quality. Because this model is in the class of two-stage stochastic facility location problems, it is NP-hard and should be solved heuristically. In order to solve this model, we propose using Lagrangian Heuristic that is based on Lagrangian Relaxation. Results from the first model are amounts and locations of pre-positioned relief materials as well as their allocation plan for each possible scenario. This information is then used as a part of the input for the second model, where the facility location problem will be formulated using real data. In fact, with pre-positioned items in hand, other supplies sources can be considered as necessary. The resulting multi-objective problem is formulated based on a widely used method called lexicography goal programming. The real-time facility location model of this dissertation is multi-product. It also considers the location problem for LRCs using real-time data. Moreover, it considers the minimization of the total cost as one of the objectives in the model and it has the availability of direct shipments. This model is also NP-hard and is solved using the Lagrangian Heuristic. One of the contributions of this dissertation is the development of Lagrangian Heuristic method for solving the pre-positioning and the real- time models. Based on the results of Lagrangian Heuristic for the pre-positioning model, almost all the deviations from optimal values are below 5%, which shows that the Heuristics works acceptably for the problem. Also, the execution times are no more than 780 seconds for the largest test instances. Moreover, for the real-time model, though not directly comparable, the solutions are fairly close to optimal and the execution time for the largest test instance is below 660 seconds. Hence, the efficiency of the heuristic for real-time model is satisfactory

Medical planning for military operations other then [i.e. than] war: Is a paradigm shift required?

Military operations other than war are increasing in frequency and, as one might surmise present unique challenges to the operational commander and the medical planner. Over time and by necessity the U.S. military has developed a logistical support system with unprecedented capability. This logistical system includes a medical system that is increasingly called upon to provide care to people outside the normal scope. Increased participation means Navy assets will be tasked to provide care to U.S. troops, U.N. troops, multinational troops, NGO personnel, and the civilians that precipitated the need for intervention in the first place. The current planning paradigm is rightfully focused on combat support. This thesis will investigate the necessity of breaking away from that paradigm when planning MOOTW.http://archive.org/details/medicalplanningf109459791Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Modeling the values of private sector agents in multi-echelon humanitarian supply chains

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Humanitarian organizations (HOs) increasingly look to engage private sector supply chains in achieving outcomes. The right engagement approach may require knowledge of agents' preferences across multi-echelon supply chains to align private sector value creation with humanitarian outcomes. We propose a multi-attribute value analysis (MAVA) framework to elucidate such preferences. We formalize this approach and apply it in collaboration with a HO pilot aiming to facilitate better private sector availability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests in Uganda. We demonstrate how HOs could use criteria weights and value functions from MAVA for project evaluation; in the process, we reveal business model insights for importers, distributors, and retailers in the pilot. We also show how MAVA facilitates the impact assessment of hypothetical options (i.e., combinations of products, services, and subsidies) to guide HO resource deployment. This paper offers the first attempt, to our knowledge, to develop quantitative measures for economic and non-economic objectives involving all agents in a multi-echelon supply chain, either humanitarian or commercial. We hope that this initial step stimulates further research to validate results and develop the framework proposed

Two-Echelon Vehicle and UAV Routing for Post-Disaster Humanitarian Operations with Uncertain Demand

Humanitarian logistics service providers have two major responsibilities immediately after a disaster: locating trapped people and routing aid to them. These difficult operations are further hindered by failures in the transportation and telecommunications networks, which are often rendered unusable by the disaster at hand. In this work, we propose two-echelon vehicle routing frameworks for performing these operations using aerial uncrewed autonomous vehicles (UAVs or drones) to address the issues associated with these failures. In our proposed frameworks, we assume that ground vehicles cannot reach the trapped population directly, but they can only transport drones from a depot to some intermediate locations. The drones launched from these locations serve to both identify demands for medical and other aids (e.g., epi-pens, medical supplies, dry food, water) and make deliveries to satisfy them. Specifically, we present two decision frameworks, in which the resulting optimization problem is formulated as a two-echelon vehicle routing problem. The first framework addresses the problem in two stages: providing telecommunications capabilities in the first stage and satisfying the resulting demands in the second. To that end, two types of drones are considered. Hotspot drones have the capability of providing cell phone and internet reception, and hence are used to capture demands. Delivery drones are subsequently employed to satisfy the observed demand. The second framework, on the other hand, addresses the problem as a stochastic emergency aid delivery problem, which uses a two-stage robust optimization model to handle demand uncertainty. To solve the resulting models, we propose efficient and novel solution approaches

System supportability and life cycle cost based decisions

This thesis is a result of my PhD study at Molde University College, Norway. I started my study in June 2004, and this thesis is written in the period up until November 2008. The main supervisor for the thesis is Professor Øyvind Halskau, Molde University College, Norway. At the moment I am a Chief Consultant at Logiteam Consulting AS in Bergen, Norway, and I have a part time position as senior lecturer in logistics at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy in Bergen, Norway. My PhD has been financed by the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy in Bergen, Norway where I have been employed as a senior lecturer in logistics and head of the Logistics and Management Department from May 2003 until September 2008, holding the rank of Commander Senior Grade. The main subject of my thesis is system supportability with a special focus on spare parts and life cycle cost based procurement decisions. The thesis contains four papers and a synthesis presenting why and what to research, the theoretical foundation of the thesis as well as how to research. The synthesis includes chapters on research design, validity and reliability, theoretical framework and paper abstracts. The synthesis further reports on the main research conclusions. Finally the synthesis gives the main research contribution along with self criticism and suggestions for future research. All four papers in the thesis have been published (or accepted for publishing) in peer reviewed journals or peer reviewed conference proceedings or both

Healthcare Military Logistics at Disaster Regions around the World: Insights from Ten Field Hospital Missions over Three Decades

The Israeli Defense Force Medical Corps deployed airborne medical relief operations to disaster regions, inflicted by natural (earthquake, typhoon, and tsunami) and man-made catastrophes. Missions operated around the globe, in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. In this study, based on literature review and interviewing of commanders and participants of ten of such missions operating in nine countries (Armenia, Rwanda, Kosovo, Turkey, India, Haiti, Japan, Philippines, and Nepal), we analyze and outline the principals in assembling and operating these missions. Deployment of the relief operations was swift, to address the needs as soon as possible, even at the cost of partial pre-assessment and a wide margin of uncertainty. This was compensated by the design of multi-disciplinarian and self-sufficient and independent units with flexible operative modes, enabling improvisations to cope with unexpected medical and operative needs. The experience gained in these missions led to a well-defined methodology of assembly and deployment of foreign field hospital in a short time. The review shows an evolutionary pattern with improvements implemented from one mission to the other, with special adaptations to address specific requirements and accommodate language, national culture barriers, and ethical dilemmas

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

Coordination, cooperation and collaboration in relief supply chain management

In recent years, an increasing number of natural and man-made disasters has demonstrated that a working relief supply chain management (RSCM) is crucial in order to alleviate the suffering of the affected population. Coordination, cooperation and collaboration within RSCM is essential for overcoming these destructive incidents. This paper explores the research undertaken in recent years, focusing on coordination, cooperation and collaboration in the field of supply chain management (SCM) and RSCM in order to provide unique definitions of these concepts taking the disaster setting into consideration. A systematic literature review including 202 academic papers published from 1996 onwards in top journals dealing with commercial supply and relief supply chain coordination, cooperation and collaboration is applied. In order to answer the underlying research questions in a proper way, a descriptive analysis and qualitative and quantitative content analysis of the papers are conducted. Descriptive results indicate that RSCM coordination, cooperation and collaboration have increasingly shifted into the focus of scientific research since 2001/2004 (i.e., 9/11 and the Indian Ocean Tsunami). Based on the qualitative content analysis, clear definitions of the terms coordination, cooperation and collaboration in SCM and RSCM were elaborated. The research landscape, as a result of the quantitative content analysis, allowed the identification of three issues that need to be addressed in future research work

Outsourcing in humanitarian logistics – status quo and future directions

Purpose – Outsourcing 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/approach – The paper is based on a structured review of academic literature, a tworound 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. Findings – The 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/implications – The 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/value – The 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