Knowledge management and humanitarian organisations in the Asia-Pacific: Practices, challenges, and future pathways

Caballero-Anthony, Mely; Cook, Alistair David Blair; Chen, Christopher

doi:10.1016/j.ijdrr.2020.102007

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…Many of these individuals in our study recognised that their approaches to hygiene programme decision-making were biased and were not as evidence-based or contextualised as they would have liked, but felt that more consultative or analytical decision-making was not feasible in crises. As such the majority of hygiene-related programmatic decisions are currently being made using a 'naturalistic approach' which draws on the 'embodied tacit knowledge' of these senior WASH staff (46,47). An over-reliance on individual tacit knowledge has been acknowledged as a widespread challenge in the humanitarian sector due to high levels of staff turn-over, a tendency to approach every crisis as unique, and weak accountability mechanisms associated with fragmented humanitarian power structures (47,48).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As such the majority of hygiene-related programmatic decisions are currently being made using a 'naturalistic approach' which draws on the 'embodied tacit knowledge' of these senior WASH staff (46,47). An over-reliance on individual tacit knowledge has been acknowledged as a widespread challenge in the humanitarian sector due to high levels of staff turn-over, a tendency to approach every crisis as unique, and weak accountability mechanisms associated with fragmented humanitarian power structures (47,48). Tacit knowledge may be held by both individuals and organisations, but when programmes are designed primarily by senior WASH staff opportunities for organisational or sector-wide learning and change are likely to be missed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How are hygiene programmes designed in crises? A qualitative study of the perspectives of humanitarians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq

White

Heath

Mutula³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Hygiene behaviour change programmes are complex to design. These challenges are heightened during crises when humanitarian responders are under pressure to implement programmes rapidly despite having limited information about the local situation, behaviours and opinions – all of which may also be rapidly evolving. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with 36 humanitarian staff involved in hygiene programme design in two crisis-affected settings – one a conflict affected setting (Iraq) and the other amid a cholera outbreak (DRC). Interviews explored decision-making in each phase of the humanitarian project cycle and were thematically analysed. Results Participants considered the design and implementation of hygiene programmes in crises to be sub-optimal. Humanitarians faced sector-specific challenges as well as more general constraints associated with operating within the humanitarian system. Programme-design decisions were made naturalistically and relied heavily on the intuitions and assumptions of senior WASH staff. National organisations were often side-lined from programme design processes despite being in a better position to gather situational data. Consequently, programme design and decision-making processes adopted by humanitarians were similar across the two settings studied and led to similar types of hygiene promotion activities being delivered. Conclusion Hygiene programming in crises-affected settings could be strengthened by initiatives targeted at supporting humanitarian staff during the pre-implementation programme design phase. This may include rapid assessment tools to better understand behavioural determinants in crisis-affected contexts; the use of a theory of change to inform the selection of programme activities; and funding mechanisms which encourage equitable partnerships, phased programming, regular adaptation and have programmatic components targeted at sustainability and sector capacity building. Initiatives aimed at sector reform should be cognisant of inter and intra-organisational dynamics, the ways that expertise is created and valued by the sector, and humanitarian habits and norms that arise in response to system constraints and pressures. These micro-organisational processes affect macro-level outcomes related to programme quality and acceptability and determine or limit the roles of national actors in programme design processes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How are hygiene programmes designed in crises? A qualitative study of the perspectives of humanitarians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq

White

Heath

Mutula³

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many of these individuals in our study recognised that their approaches to hygiene programme decision-making were biased and were not as evidence-based or contextualised as they would have liked, but felt that more consultative or analytical decision-making was not feasible in crises. As such the majority of hygiene-related programmatic decisions are currently being made using a 'naturalistic approach' which draws on the 'embodied tacit knowledge' of these senior WASH staff [45,46]. An over-reliance on individual tacit knowledge has been acknowledged as a widespread challenge in the humanitarian sector due to high levels of staff turn-over, a tendency to approach every crisis as unique, and weak accountability mechanisms associated with fragmented humanitarian power structures [46][47][48].…”

Section: Decision-making and The Power Dynamics That Affect Programmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As such the majority of hygiene-related programmatic decisions are currently being made using a 'naturalistic approach' which draws on the 'embodied tacit knowledge' of these senior WASH staff [45,46]. An over-reliance on individual tacit knowledge has been acknowledged as a widespread challenge in the humanitarian sector due to high levels of staff turn-over, a tendency to approach every crisis as unique, and weak accountability mechanisms associated with fragmented humanitarian power structures [46][47][48]. Tacit knowledge may be held by both individuals and organisations, but when programmes are designed primarily by senior WASH staff opportunities for organisational or sector-wide learning and change are likely to be missed.…”

Section: Decision-making and The Power Dynamics That Affect Programmingmentioning

confidence: 99%

How are hygiene programmes designed in crises? Qualitative interviews with humanitarians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Hygiene behaviour change programmes are complex to design. These challenges are heightened during crises when humanitarian responders are under pressure to implement programmes rapidly despite having limited information about the local situation, behaviours and opinions—all of which may also be rapidly evolving. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with 36 humanitarian staff involved in hygiene programme design in two crisis-affected settings—one a conflict affected setting (Iraq) and the other amid a cholera outbreak (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Interviews explored decision-making in each phase of the humanitarian project cycle and were thematically analysed. Results Participants considered the design and implementation of hygiene programmes in crises to be sub-optimal. Humanitarians faced sector-specific challenges as well as more general constraints associated with operating within the humanitarian system. Programme-design decisions were made naturalistically and relied heavily on the intuitions and assumptions of senior staff. National organisations were often side-lined from programme design processes despite being in a better position to gather situational data. Consequently, programme design and decision-making processes adopted by humanitarians were similar across the two settings studied and led to similar types of hygiene promotion activities being delivered. Conclusion Hygiene programming in crises-affected settings could be strengthened by initiatives targeted at supporting humanitarian staff during the pre-implementation programme design phase. This may include rapid assessment tools to better understand behavioural determinants in crisis-affected contexts; the use of a theory of change to inform the selection of programme activities; and funding mechanisms which encourage equitable partnerships, phased programming, regular adaptation and have programmatic components targeted at sustainability and sector capacity building. Initiatives aimed at sector reform should be cognisant of inter and intra-organisational dynamics, the ways that expertise is created and valued by the sector, and humanitarian habits and norms that arise in response to system constraints and pressures. These micro-organisational processes affect macro-level outcomes related to programme quality and acceptability and determine or limit the roles of national actors in programme design processes.

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“…Some of most recent studies in the area of HSCs include Heaslip et al (2018), Khan et al (2020); Moshtari et al (2021), Klumpp and Loske (2021); Wagner et al (2021), Pascucci (2021); Kovács and Falagara Sigala (2021); Renteria et al (2021), Yang (2021); Dhamija et al (2021), Caballero-Anthony et al (2021); and Hezam and Nayeem (2021). Heaslip et al (2018) emphasized on the importance of incorporating the spirit of servitization in humanitarian logistics and emergency relief chains to their competitive advantage.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring and establishing the barriers to sustainable humanitarian supply chains using fuzzy interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy MICMAC analysis

Abbas

Asim

Ahmed

et al. 2021

SRJ

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Purpose The continual onset of natural and manmade disasters propels the humanitarian supply chain (HSC) efforts (by organizations, groups and individuals) to always be on a stand-by mode with more and more sustainable solutions. Despite all the sincere and coordinated efforts from all the humanitarian agents and bodies, the likely sustainable outputs are hampered by certain barriers (impediments) which exist at different levels of the HSCs. A better understanding of such barriers and their mutual relationship is deemed helpful in improving the outcomes of humanitarian efforts. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore, refine, establish and classify these barriers which thwart the sustainable efforts of the HSCs individually as well as collectively. Design/methodology/approach An extensive literature review is conducted to identify these barriers which were followed by soliciting the experts’ inputs to update, refine and retain the contextually relevant ones. The opinions about the nine identified and refined barriers are taken from eight experts based in the Northern India who are having at least five years of experience in humanitarian operations. Fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) is used to examine and establish a hierarchical relationship among these barriers, whereas fuzzy Matrice d’impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment analysis is carried out to further classify these barriers into dependent, autonomous, linkage and dependent barriers. Findings The analysis led to the formation of a FISM model where the operational challenges affecting the performance occupy the topmost position in the hierarchy. The results reveal that inconsistent motives, coordination and communication and operational challenges affecting the performance are the dependent, poor strategic planning, capacity-related challenges and poor performance measurement system are the autonomous, and financial challenges, locational challenges and lack of proper awareness are the independent barriers. Research limitations/implications The focus of the researchers was to study and examine these barriers to sustainable HSCs with special reference to the epidemics and pandemics (especially COVID-19), and it sheds light particularly arising during and post disaster phases. Practical implications The structural model contributed by this study is expected to be meaningful for practitioners besides enriching the body of literature. In the context of pandemics, it distinguishes itself from the other available frameworks. Social implications As this research has been carried out in the context of the novel COVID-19, the framework is expected to assist policymakers in comprehending the issues impeding the sustainability of noble humanitarian efforts. Thus, ultimately it is expected to contribute to the ultimate cause of society at large. Originality/value This research endeavor distinguishes itself from the other accessible published resources in terms of the specific context, the methodological approach and the nature of respondents. This paper concludes with the practical implications and directions for future research.

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Knowledge management and humanitarian organisations in the Asia-Pacific: Practices, challenges, and future pathways

Cited by 18 publications

References 45 publications

How are hygiene programmes designed in crises? A qualitative study of the perspectives of humanitarians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq

How are hygiene programmes designed in crises? A qualitative study of the perspectives of humanitarians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq

How are hygiene programmes designed in crises? Qualitative interviews with humanitarians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq

Exploring and establishing the barriers to sustainable humanitarian supply chains using fuzzy interpretive structural modeling and fuzzy MICMAC analysis

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