Managing regional logistics in times of crisis: a COVID-19 case study
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
ISSN: 2042-6747
Article publication date: 7 June 2021
Issue publication date: 11 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic with unique regional logistics management (RLM) challenges to respond to the chaos created by the crisis and to restore normality for operations and supply chains in home nations. The purpose of this article is to explore RLM in times of crisis from the perspective of public authorities responsible for combating the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also discusses the significance of crisis-driven RLM for humanitarian logistics and supply chain (HLSC) management.
Design/methodology/approach
Grounded on an inductive case study logic and guided by a constructivist perspective, this research involves semi-structured interviews with 15 managers and strategists responsible for the RLM of COVID-19 to capture lessons learnt so far from mitigating the transmission and spread of COVID-19. Underpinning the research is a conceptual RLM model premised on coordination, communication, and containment mechanisms (the 3Cs of crisis-driven logistics), as crisis response.
Findings
The study finds that the triggering of regional logistics in times of crisis for the COVID-19 case involves taskforce teams with centralisation for crisis readiness, information infrastructure with digitalisation for crisis protocols, and capacity calculations with orchestration for crisis scenarios. The study also finds that navigating the challenges for the 3Cs of crisis-driven logistics entails forward-thinking leadership for culture-based commitments, first-hand clarity for compliance-based campaigns, and far-reaching solidarity for compassion-based contributions.
Originality/value
This article addresses the gap in knowledge on RLM and potential priorities that underpin crisis-driven RLM strategies for HLSCs. The research is original in its argument for regional perspectives on logistics strategies that contribute to the “viability” and “integrity” of HLSCs. The research also uniquely focuses on RLM in times of crisis and proposes a conceptual RLM model of strategies for enhancing HLSCs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Health, the Supreme Council of Health, the National Health Regulatory Authority, the National Taskforce to Combat Covid-19, the Bahrain Institute for Public Administration and the Arabian Gulf University for this research. The authors also thank the interviewees for giving their insights on Bahrain's COVID-19 response and the contributions of Mohamed Sabba, Rabab Habib, Lulwa Fareed, Deema Meshaal, Sara Bahmen, Aysha Alansari and Afnan Alkoheji for arranging interviews and conducting this study.
Citation
Durugbo, C.M., Almahamid, S.M., Budalamah, L.H., Al-Jayyousi, O.R. and BendiMerad, B. (2022), "Managing regional logistics in times of crisis: a COVID-19 case study", Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Vol. 12 No. 1, pp. 54-77. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-01-2021-0001
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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