Operational excellence in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management through leagile framework: a case study from a non-mature economy

Abstract

Past few years have continuously seen an increase in intensity and frequency of climate-related disasters in non-mature economies. Most of these losses can be attributed to inefficient and ineffective management of humanitarian logistics and supply chains during the preparedness, response and reconstruction phases of disaster relief operations. Previous researches have focussed primarily either on the response phase of humanitarian logistics or on the humanitarian supply chain coordination issues mostly within international or local NGOs. We present results of a research on how a novel integrated lean and agile (leagile) framework could be employed to efficiently and effectively manage humanitarian logistics and supply chain management (HLSCM) in a local jurisdiction (i.e. public sector) of a disaster-hit region in a non-mature economy. Through this leagile framework, we identify inefficiencies and opportunities of improvement in HLSCM. Our recommendations can be used by both public and private sector organisations dealing with humanitarian emergencies to increase the efficiency of their response and performance during a disaster. Our research also informs guiding principles of UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction to include a leagile framework for achieving both effective and efficient responses to disasters in its priorities for action. We further suggest future research agenda in this field in order to augment the resilience of both public and private organisations.

Key Challenges to Sustainable Humanitarian Supply Chains: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Similarly, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) defines disaster as a sudden event that seriously disrupts society's functioning with loss of human life and resources beyond the ability to recover [20]. HSCM intends to meet the affected people's needs by efficiently using the given resources during and after the disaster [21]. Additionally, HSCM seeks to mitigate the suffering of the affected population to the fullest extent possible.…”

Blockchain Technology – Understanding Its Application in Humanitarian Supply Chains

“…Humanitarian aid is needed across all the four disaster management stages of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery [3] and therefore, humanitarian supply chains (HSCs) deliver the aid in form of goods (food, water, medical supplies, shelter) and services to the victims. HSC studies the management of disaster operations across all the four stages and it includes the processes of material sourcing, procurement, transportation, storage, and timely delivery to the victims to diminish deaths, resources, and assets losses [4].…”

“…Information sharing gaps exists amongst partners and if effective communication is enhanced, that would improve collaboration, enhanced transparency, and efficiency of operations [6]. The governance of HSCs is characterised by centralised decision making that is time consuming and uncoordinated thus, clarity in accountability is minimal [4], which could lead to fraud and corruption of humanitarian aid [7]. Several authors have suggested that blockchain technology (BCT) in HSCs would help to minimise these challenges [8]; [9], thus leading to more efficient outcomes, but the development and implementation of BCT in HSCs are still young.…”

Evaluation of Humanitarian Supply Chain Resilience in Flood Disaster

“…Nayaka discussed the application of a comprehensive streamlining framework in the humanitarian supply chain. The research results emphasized that efficient humanitarian supply chain management is inseparable from the need to have precise logistics [39].…”