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Case studies in humanitarian logistics research

Diego Vega (Department of Information Systems, SCM and Decisions, Neoma Business School, Reims, France)

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 2042-6747

Article publication date: 31 July 2018

Issue publication date: 28 August 2018

1161

Abstract

Purpose

Considered a strong method for exploratory investigations, case study research has become part of the mainstream approach, particularly in the field of humanitarian logistics (HL) and supply chain management. Nevertheless, similar to other logistics and SCM-related fields, rigor is not at its best. The purpose of this paper is to propose a framework for crafting case study research in HL, based on an analysis of published case study-based research.

Design/methodology/approach

The study classifies and compares the use of case studies in HL research, based on criteria developed from the methodology literature including purpose, type and volume of data, and type of analysis.

Findings

While case studies become more frequent, the results point out a lack of rigor, particularly regarding chain of evidence and the use of frameworks for case study rationale and analysis.

Research limitations/implications

The study proposes a framework for case study design, based on four “check questions” that can help researchers to go through the process of crafting a case study.

Practical implications

The study provides practitioners with more understanding of case studies in HL research, which they can use when calling for or evaluating such studies in their organizations.

Originality/value

This paper offers an initial framework for conducting case studies in HL.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thanks Professor Marianne Jahre for her contribution on previous versions of this paper, as well as the two anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions.

Citation

Vega, D. (2018), "Case studies in humanitarian logistics research", Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Vol. 8 No. 2, pp. 134-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-01-2018-0005

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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