Sander de Leeuw

Humanitarian supply chain performance management: a systematic literature review

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the state of the art of performance measurement and management in humanitarian supply chains; to categorize performance measurement indicators in the five supply chain phases of Gunasekaran and Kobu (2007) and evaluate them based on the evaluation criteria of Caplice and Sheffi (1995); and to define gaps and challenges in this field and give insights for future research in this domain. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review has been conducted using a structured method based on Denyer and Tranfield (2009) and Rousseau et al. (2008). The state of the art on humanitarian supply chain performance management with a focus on measurement frameworks and indicators and their applications in practice is classified in three categories. The first category is the definition and measurement of success in humanitarian supply chains. The second category is managing performance, which focuses on describing and analyzing the actual practice of managing performance. The third...

A dynamic dispatching and routing model to plan/ re-plan logistics activities in response to an earthquake

The unpredictable nature and devastating impact of earthquakes enforce governments of disaster-prone regions to provide practical response plans to minimize damage and losses resulting from earthquakes. Logistics management is one of the key issues that should be considered for an appropriate response, in particular, the planning of the transport of commodities required during response and the evacuation of injured people. This paper develops a dynamic model for dispatching and routing vehicles in response to an earthquake. We focus on the transport of both commodity towards affected areas and injured people to hospitals. The proposed model is capable of receiving updated information at any time and adjusting plans accordingly. Since speed is a key to a successful earthquake response, the model hierarchically minimizes the total time until arrival at a hospital for injured people, as well as the total lead-time to fulfill commodity needs. We designed experiments to investigate the effect of the network topology on earthquake response rapidity to improve the quality of earthquake response.

The value of fourth-party logistics services in the humanitarian supply chain

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the value of fourth-party logistics (4PL) services in a humanitarian supply chain. Furthermore, it shows a framework for a fourth-party humanitarian logistics concept. Design/methodology/approach – The research paper presents a framework of fourth-party humanitarian logistics based on the four core components described by Christopher (2005) which was evaluated with a nonlinear approach called analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The AHP method explores qualitative and quantitative decision-making criteria in case of solving multi-attribute and complex problems. In total, seven experts from academia and practice have contributed to this research, resulting in a better understanding of the decisive needs of humanitarian supply chain actors for implementing and integrating a 4PL concept. Findings – The research shows an increased value for humanitarian supply chain actors of establishing a 4PL concept. The results present a positive influence of 4PL in comple...

Towards a Reference Mission Map for Performance Measurement in Humanitarian Supply Chains

Research on performance measurement in humanitarian supply chains is scant. Experiences with developing performance measures in commercial environments show that it is particularly important to understand linkages between higher level goals and performance measurement, for example through using strategy maps in for-profit organisations or mission maps in non-profit organisations. In this article, we use literature and four mini-case studies in humanitarian organisations to develop a reference mission map for a humanitarian supply chain. This reference mission map may be used by humanitarian organisations to develop an organisation specific mission map for their supply chain.

What Really Matters in Locating Shared Humanitarian Stockpiles: Evidence from the WASH Cluster

Through a case study of locating shared stockpiles at the United Nations Water Sanitation and Health (WASH) cluster, we contribute to literature by characterizing the real overriding complexities that impact location of shared humanitarian stockpiles. We find that unique complexities related to 1) demand patterns/projections, 2) charter and commercial transport rate structures and uncertainties, 3) interagency supply and dispatch networks, 4) how programs and donors define service requirements and provide direction, and 5) in-kind service donations, all come into play and materially affect the analysis. We recommend that further research be done in these areas.

Conceptualising inventory prepositioning in the humanitarian sector

Improved responsiveness to natural and man-made disasters is critical to saving lives and alleviating the suffering caused by such disasters. Emphasis on the design of the relief chain to reduce delivery time of relief inventory improves responsiveness. This is the essence of inventory pre-positioning (IPP). IPP is yet to be clearly defined; and the main factors affecting IPP decision-making need to be further discussed in the humanitarian literature. Quantitative factors such as costs usually take precedence over qualitative factors such as collaboration, infrastructure and others that can substantially impact IPP decisions. This can lead to ineffective decision-making in humanitarian organizations. This paper provides a definition of IPP by reviewing relevant literatures; and a conceptual framework of the main factors affecting IPP decision-making specific to the humanitarian sector, developed through desk reviews and observations.

Supply chain-oriented performance measurement for automotive spare parts

Literature provides a number of conceptual frameworks and discussions on performance measurement in supply chains. However, most of these frameworks focus on a single link of a supply chain. Furthermore, there is a lack of empirical analysis and case studies on performance metrics and measurements in a supply chain context. This article provides the results of an empirical study into performance measurement in the automotive spare parts supply chain, with a focus on the dependent channel. We have applied a supply chain performance measurement model called the LogistiQual model. We will discuss the types of measures used by companies in the automotive spare parts supply chain and will argue that in the automotive spare parts supply chain performance is, to a certain extent, measured with a supply chain perspective but not completely.

Supply chain integration strategies in fast evolving industries

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to define the “fast evolving industry” (FEI) and its supply chain management (SCM) challenges. The authors review and structure the literature regarding integration strategies and implementation methods to develop a strategic decision-making framework for SCM in the FEI. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct a review of SCM literature, including supply chain strategy, supply chain integration (SCI), agile and responsive supply chain and SCM for innovative and fast-changing industries. The authors develop a conceptual model and a decision-making framework and use four mini cases to provide support for the model and framework. Findings The FEI, characterised by a high level of innovation and differentiation, short products/services lifecycle and high variety, is yet to be fully defined. Inherent uncertainty in FEI supply systems makes SCM in these industries a complex but strategic task for their managers. The framework and the model offered in this study, which employ a core competency concept and provide risk management strategies, offer a strategic tool for managers and scholars in the field to optimise their integration strategies and to operationalise integration decisions. Originality/value Little research has been published on transferable and cross-industrial SCM in FEIs. This paper defines the FEI and its resource-related concerns and then offers a conceptual model and a strategic decision-making framework for SCI in FEIs.

Enhancing Sustainability in Managing Inventory Prepositioning Networks for Disaster Relief Through a Simulation Game

Sustainability questions are often connected to preparedness in a logistics, storage and also qualification and organizational dimension. These concepts are addressed in this chapter, offering a simulation game concept as a method of choice for enhancing preparedness and therefore sustainability in humanitarian supply chains.

Cross-sector humanitarian-business partnerships in managing humanitarian logistics: an empirical verification

Cross-Sector humanitarian–business partnerships in managing humanitarian logistics comprise a key discussion topic in literature, yet empirical validations of these partnerships are lacking to date. This paper aims to develop a typological framework for humanitarian–business partnerships in managing humanitarian logistics and to empirically verify this typology with a data-set using content analysis. The results show that the amounts of partnerships developed between the business sector and the humanitarian sector in managing humanitarian logistics is still limited and these partnerships are not widely publicised. The research furthermore shows that financial contributions comprise the most common type of resource delivered by the business sector when it comes to partnerships with the humanitarian sector focused on managing humanitarian logistics. It is also interesting to note that the majority of partnerships in our sample are dyadic in nature, managed by a single humanitarian organisation and a single business corporation. Furthermore, we find that most of the partnerships target support for natural disaster emergency relief operations and mainly focus on disaster response.