TY  - JOUR
AB  - 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 complex disasters environments and provide key drivers for increasing and simplifying collaboration between the humanitarian supply chain actors. Research limitations/implications– Future research has to consider different disaster types and needs to further emphasize the added value for beneficiaries of implementing a 4PL concept in a humanitarian supply chain environment. Further research should preferably also consider case studies in order to analyse challenges, drawbacks and benefits of this concept (qualitative and quantitative factors) in a real-life humanitarian supply chain setting. Practical implications– The research offers managerial insights into the use of a 4PL concept in the humanitarian supply chain environment to improve efficiency due to an improved collaboration between the humanitarian supply chain actors. Originality/value– The research paper investigates an under-researched topic in the humanitarian supply chain environment. For humanitarian supply chain actors outsourcing their activities to a 4PL service provider could secure collaboration, increase service levels as well as efficiency and therefore create additional value.
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
SN  - 2042-6747
DO  - 10.1108/JHLSCM-02-2014-0010
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-02-2014-0010
AU  - Abidi Hella
AU  - de Leeuw Sander
AU  - Klumpp Matthias
PY  - 2015
Y1  - 2015/01/01
TI  - The value of fourth-party logistics services in the humanitarian supply chain
T2  - Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
SP  - 35
EP  - 60
Y2  - 2024/04/19
ER  -