Purpose -This paper seeks to contribute to a more effective co-ordination of humanitarian operations by military and civilian organizations involved in a peace support mission in response to a complex emergency. Design/methodology/approach -The information processing view, in particular Galbraith's typology of generic mechanisms for achieving co-ordination, is taken as the theoretical framework. This framework is subsequently applied to the co-ordination of humanitarian operations by military and civilian organizations. Empirical data are derived from a set of expert interviews with both military and civilian respondents in The Netherlands and a four week visit to Kabul and Baghlan, a province in northern Afghanistan. During this visit 40 military respondents have been interviewed and over 60 meetings have been held with local authorities, humanitarian organizations, small entrepreneurs, refugees and local villagers. Finally, conclusions are drawn and recommendations are provided with regard to a more effective co-ordination of humanitarian operations in a peace support mission. Findings -The article's main finding is that "self-contained tasks" in combination with lateral relations are the dominant co-ordination mechanisms. "Slack resources", though observed in practice, is not considered a viable co-ordination mechanism since this implies an excess, and thus waste, of scarce resources. "Information systems" are, unfortunately, not well-developed leading to mismatches between policy and practice. Keeping "self-contained tasks" as the major co-ordination mechanism, the main recommendation is to develop and implement innovative "information systems", that can also be used to support "lateral relations", in particular those between military and civil actors. Originality/value -The paper applies the information processing perspective to a unique and important subject, namely co-ordination between military and humanitarian organizations in peace support missions.

Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to the defence logistics special issue and to provide an overview of the contribution to defence logistics research of each of the papers contained therein. A review of the field of defence logistics is offered, together with a discussion of the historical and contemporary issues that have confronted researchers and practitioners. Current research is described, and a research agenda is proposed. Design/methodology/approach-The editorial provides a conceptual discussion of defence logistics as it has been studied in the past and is being studied in the present, and a reflection on the ways in which past research can usefully inform future research agendas. Findings-In light of the current state of defence logistics research and the anticipated characteristics of future combat operations, the paper highlights areas where academic research has the potential to make a significant contribution in the development and choice of alternative approaches in the provision of defence logistics Research limitations/implications-A future research agenda is proposed that is informed by recent transformations in the conduct of warfare, as well as through anticipated changes in the global strategic landscape. Comparisons are made between defence logistics operations and their commercial counterparts to illustrate where there may be opportunities for adaptation based on the underlying similarities. Originality/value-This paper discusses the major threads and themes of defence logistics research as a discipline, highlights the changing landscape of conflict in the 21 st Century and provides a future research agenda for those working in the field.

The twenty-first century has seen a significant rise in all forms of disasters and this has resulted in military and humanitarian organisations becoming more frequently engaged in the provision of support to those affected. Achieving an efficient and effective logistic preparation and response is one of the key elements in mitigating the impact of such events, but the establishment of mechanisms to deliver an appropriately integrated civil-military approach remains elusive. Not least because of the high percentage of assistance budgets spent on logistics, this area is considered to represent fertile ground for developing improved processes and understanding. In practice, the demands placed on civilian and military logisticians are broadly similar, as is the solution space. Speaking a common language and using common concepts, it is argued, therefore, that the logistic profession should be in the vanguard of the development of an improved civil-military interface.

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This paper seeks to contribute to an improved information management and exchange between humanitarian organisations and military agents in complex emergencies. To do so, a theoretical information management process model was developed and applied to the case of information management between International Security Assistance Force troops and humanitarian organisations such as Cordaid, DACAAR and the International Office for Migration in Kabul, Afghanistan. Based on this analysis the main shortcomings and problems in each stage of the information management process were identified. These include a lack of structured information databases, the absence of identification of information needs, and an over-classification of documents by the military. Using a logical framework analysis, six major improvement tactics were developed, including the creation of more overlap in rotations of personnel, the specification of aims and tasks regarding information management, the improvement of skills and competences of personnel involved, and the introduction of regular joint civil-military evaluations.