Volatility, unpredictability and asymmetry: An organising framework for humanitarian logistics operations?
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop the tentative hypothesis that common effective dynamics generate asymmetry volatility and unpredictability in the business, military and humanitarian logistics sectors.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines collaborative supply chain management (CSCM) concepts which integrate practical comparator cases to develop and justify the theoretical framework.
Findings
The humanitarian logistics sector can take “best practice” from business and military LSCM developments, but has specific problems of potential instability which require sector‐specific attention.
Research limitations/implications
Humanitarian logistics' “present state” is a zero sum model because of the fragmented nature and number of disparate actors, which generate the logistics system volatility, unpredictability and asymmetry common to unstable operations, and which formed the research rationale for this paper.
Practical implications
The development gap identified can be resolved, and synthesis achieved, with the application of an intelligent system infrastructure.
Originality/value
This paper provides a development framework for a comprehensive set of universal techniques and a commonality in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management.
Keywords
Citation
Carroll, A. and Neu, J. (2009), "Volatility, unpredictability and asymmetry: An organising framework for humanitarian logistics operations?", Management Research News, Vol. 32 No. 11, pp. 1024-1037. https://doi.org/10.1108/01409170910998264
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited