Disaster relief supply chain quality management (DRSCQM)
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 30 September 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for disaster relief supply chain quality management (DRSCQM).
Design/methodology/approach
This paper introduces a structured approach to making decisions in the following areas: system foundation, system constraints, initial sudden natural disaster encounter point(s), the intensity of disaster, the efficacy of the disaster relief supply chain systems, and post-disaster relief management.
Findings
The context-intervention-mechanism-outcome logic provides guidelines for facilitating Lean Six Sigma to eliminate wastes and improve the overall performance of the DRSCQM.
Research limitations/implications
The theoretical frameworks will enhance the current knowledge base in DRSCQM literature and will also be helpful to manage disaster relief operations and supply chains. However, there is a need to conduct empirical studies based on the proposed frameworks in the future.
Practical implications
A transformation process based on Dr Deming's plan-do-check-act cycle has also been proposed to show how a relief organization can assess its current maturity level, react to it, develop more sustainable disaster relief practices, and move the entire system in the right direction.
Social implications
The systemic and holistic procedure developed in this paper views the environment of disaster relief as dynamic, complex, chaotic, and ever-changing and takes into account the fact that relief organizations’ actions often involve a team of diverse specialists working on a project basis.
Originality/value
The framework presented here helps to improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of disaster relief supply chain management. This is timely and important now as there continues to be an increase in climate-related natural disasters.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is partly sponsored by the UNN-Shell Center for Environmental Management & Control, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus under the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) support for research. This research was undertaken while Professor Madu was on sabbatical leave at the UNN-Shell Center for Environmental Management & Control, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
Citation
N. Madu, C. and Kuei, C.-H. (2014), "Disaster relief supply chain quality management (DRSCQM)", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 31 No. 9, pp. 1052-1067. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-08-2013-0136
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited