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Article
Publication date: 20 March 2007

Gyöngyi Kovács and Karen M. Spens

This paper aims to further the understanding of planning and carrying out logistics operations in disaster relief.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to further the understanding of planning and carrying out logistics operations in disaster relief.

Design/methodology/approach

Topical literature review of academic and practitioner journals.

Findings

Creates a framework distinguishing between actors, phases, and logistical processes of disaster relief. Drawing parallels of humanitarian logistics and business logistics, the paper discovers and describes the unique characteristics of humanitarian logistics while recognizing the need of humanitarian logistics to learn from business logistics.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is conceptual in nature; empirical research is needed to support the framework. The framework sets a research agenda for academics.

Practical implications

Useful discussion of the unique characteristics of humanitarian logistics. The framework provides practitioners with a tool for planning and carrying out humanitarian logistics operations.

Originality/value

No overarching framework for humanitarian logistics exists in the logistics literature so far. The field of humanitarian logistics has so far received limited attention by logistics academics.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 June 2021

Sachin Agarwal, Ravi Kant and Ravi Shankar

This study proposed a mathematical model for decision-making in the pre- and post-disaster phases. This research aims to develop a mathematical model for three important fields in…

Abstract

Purpose

This study proposed a mathematical model for decision-making in the pre- and post-disaster phases. This research aims to develop a mathematical model for three important fields in the context of humanitarian logistics; stock prepositioning, facility location and evacuation planning in the humanitarian supply chain (HSC) network design.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied three optimization techniques; classical approach (CA), pattern search algorithm (PSA) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) to solve the proposed mathematical model. The proposed mathematical model attempts to minimize the total relief items supply chain cost and evacuation chain cost of the HSC. A real case study of cyclone Fani, 2019 in Orissa, India is applied to validate the proposed mathematical model and to show the performance of the model.

Findings

The results demonstrate that heuristic approach; PSA performs better and optimal solutions are obtained in almost all the cases as compared to the GA and CA.

Research limitations/implications

This study is limited to deterministic demands in the affected regions, and different scenarios of the disaster events are not considered.

Social implications

The finding reveals that the proposed model can help the humanitarian stakeholders in making decisions on facility location, relief distribution and evacuation planning in disaster relief operations.

Originality/value

The results of this study may offer managerial insights to practitioners and humanitarian logisticians who are engaged in HSC implementation.

Details

International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-5908

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2020

Saurav Negi and Gaurav Negi

The purpose of this paper is to identify the issues and challenges in humanitarian logistics and to develop a framework for effectively managing the humanitarian logistics in…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the issues and challenges in humanitarian logistics and to develop a framework for effectively managing the humanitarian logistics in disaster relief supply chain operations in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a framework to manage humanitarian logistics effectively in disaster management through qualitative analysis. First, the author examines the challenges facing the humanitarian logistics and supply chain through the reviews of the literature on various disasters. Then, the author presented a framework based on the best practices and initiatives taken worldwide in the preparedness and response stage of the humanitarian supply chain to manage and reduce the aftermath of any disaster in context to India.

Findings

A framework has been developed to manage humanitarian logistics in the disaster relief operation, which would improve the humanitarian supply chain in India and help to effectively manage natural disasters in the preparedness and response stage at the state and district levels.

Research limitations/implications

The paper mainly emphasises on the preparedness and response stage of disaster supply chain management in Indian context.

Practical implications

None of the disaster incidents can be stopped from taking place, but the impact can be minimised by proper preparedness and effective response during the operations of humanitarian logistics. With this hope, the framework has been developed, which if implemented would help to plan and manage any disaster incident in an effective manner, which ultimately would save millions of lives and cost in terms of infrastructure, property, assets etc.

Originality/value

As natural disaster incidents are occurring frequently in Indian states, there is an urgent need for a framework to manage the logistics operations effectively and efficiently during any disaster relief operations. Limited literature is found on developing and presenting a framework focusing on the preparedness and response phase of disaster supply chain management in context to India. Hence, this paper is believed to be the first to fulfil this gap with main emphasis on the preparedness and response stage of disaster supply chain management in Indian scenario.

Details

International Journal of Emergency Services, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2047-0894

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 March 2009

François Maon, Adam Lindgreen and Joëlle Vanhamme

This study seeks to provide insights into corporate achievements in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics management and to detail how they might help disaster agencies. The…

8025

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to provide insights into corporate achievements in supply chain management (SCM) and logistics management and to detail how they might help disaster agencies. The authors aim to highlight and identify current practices, particularities, and challenges in disaster relief supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

Both SCM and logistics management literature and examples drawn from real‐life cases inform the development of the theoretical model.

Findings

The theoretical, dual‐cycle model that focuses on the key missions of disaster relief agencies: first, prevention and planning and, second, response and recovery. Three major contributions are offered: a concise representation of current practices and particularities of disaster relief supply chains compared with commercial SCM; challenges and barriers to the development of more efficient SCM practices, classified into learning, strategising, and coordinating and measurement issues; and a simple, functional model for understanding how collaborations between corporations and disaster relief agencies might help relief agencies meet SCM challenges.

Research limitations/implications

The study does not address culture‐clash related considerations. Rather than representing the entire scope of real‐life situations and practices, the analysis relies on key assumptions to help conceptualise collaborative paths.

Practical implications

The study provides specific insights into how corporations might help improve the SCM practices by disaster relief agencies that continue to function without SCM professional expertise, tools, or staff.

Originality/value

The paper shows that sharing supply chain and logistics expertise, technology, and infrastructure with relief agencies could be a way for corporations to demonstrate their good corporate citizenship. Collaborations between corporations and disaster agencies offer significant potential benefits.

Details

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-8546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2021

Reza Sakiani, Abbas Seifi and Reza Ramezani Khorshiddost

There is usually a considerable shortage of resources and a lack of accurate data about the demand amount in a post-disaster situation. This paper aims to model the distribution…

Abstract

Purpose

There is usually a considerable shortage of resources and a lack of accurate data about the demand amount in a post-disaster situation. This paper aims to model the distribution and redistribution of relief items. When the new data on demand and resources become available the redistribution of previously delivered items may be necessary due to severe shortages in some locations and surplus inventory in other areas.

Design/methodology/approach

The presented model includes a vehicle routing problem in the first period and some network flow structures for succeeding periods of each run. Thereby, it can produce itineraries and loading plans for each vehicle in all periods when it is run in a rolling horizon manner. The fairness in distribution is sought by minimizing the maximum shortage of commodities among the affected areas while considering operational costs. Besides, equity of welfare in different periods is taken into account.

Findings

The proposed model is evaluated by a realistic case study. The results show that redistribution and multi-period planning can improve efficiency and fairness in supply after the occurrence of a disaster.

Originality/value

This paper proposes an operational model for distribution and redistribution of relief items considering the differences of items characteristics. The model integrates two well-known structures, vehicle routing problem with pickup and delivery and network flow problem to take their advantages. To get more practical results, the model relaxes some simplifying assumptions commonly used in disaster relief studies. Furthermore, the model is used in a realistic case study.

Article
Publication date: 28 August 2020

Sachin Agarwal, Ravi Kant and Ravi Shankar

This paper intends to explore and appraise the humanitarian supply chain management enablers (HSCMEs) for efficient and effective humanitarian operations. This research aims to…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper intends to explore and appraise the humanitarian supply chain management enablers (HSCMEs) for efficient and effective humanitarian operations. This research aims to analyze the interaction of enablers for humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM) using a proposed hybrid framework consists of fuzzy Delphi (FD), interpretive structural modeling (ISM)–matriced impacts croises multiplication appliquee a un classement (MICMAC) and revised Simos approach.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is deliberate to identify 28 HSCMEs through a literature review and experts' opinions; out of which 20 HSCMEs are selected using FD. ISM is applied to know contextual relationship among the selected HSCMEs for developing a hierarchical model. The MICMAC analysis classifies the HSCMEs based on driving power and dependence power to validate the developed hierarchical ISM structure. The revised Simos technique is used to prioritize the HSCMEs to access its relative significance in humanitarian operations.

Findings

The finding of the analysis suggests that government policy and leadership support obtained the highest priority, having high driving power and low dependence power is significantly strategic and emerged as the leading driver for the HSCM implementation.

Research limitations/implications

ISM model presents an insight into interrelationship among HSCMEs, but this cannot quantify the impact of each HSCMEs.

Practical implications

Disaster relief aid agencies and stakeholders may focus on the enablers having high driving power and higher weight in designing and executing an effective and efficient humanitarian supply chain and to improve their activities and strategies of HSCM.

Social implications

This research helps humanitarian logisticians and humanitarian organizations to make better decisions to improve their operational performance in pre and postdisaster phases.

Originality/value

This paper explores the application of proposed hybrid framework to analyze the HSCMEs that can be considered as the original contribution.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2016

Rubel Das and Makoto Okumura

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for relief inventory ordering considering declining demand and realized shortage (RS) costs. This study is motivated by the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for relief inventory ordering considering declining demand and realized shortage (RS) costs. This study is motivated by the overflow of unsolicited items in affected areas, which hinder the urgent relief flow.

Design/methodology/approach

This study proposes a dynamic programing model reflecting the change of demand and urgency during relief operations. A solution algorithm for finding a replenishing point of relief is also introduced here.

Findings

Relief ordering policy based on the RS cost increases the service level (in terms of time). The service level is dependent on the deterioration rate.

Research limitations/implications

Deterioration is not applicable for all relief items. Therefore, the proposed model is applicable for certain relief items. Additionally, computation of temporal urgency is not included.

Practical implications

The study outcomes can be invaluable for resource planning. The model shows a gradual decrease of ordering quantity and a gradual increase of cycle length. This observation can be utilized for resource (e.g. truck) planning and fewer truck can be used in later stages of relief operations.

Originality/value

This study introduces temporal urgency for disaster logistics (DL) and proposes a relief inventory policy by incorporating temporal urgency. This model highlights the importance of considering declining demand for DL.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 6 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 December 2020

Fatemeh Sabouhi, Ali Bozorgi-Amiri and Parinaz Vaez

This study aims to minimize the expected arrival time of relief vehicles to the affected areas, considering the destruction of potential routes and disruptions due to disasters…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to minimize the expected arrival time of relief vehicles to the affected areas, considering the destruction of potential routes and disruptions due to disasters. In relief operations, required relief items in each affected area and disrupted routes are considered as uncertain parameters. Additionally, for a more realistic consideration of the situations, it is assumed that the demand of each affected area could be met by multiple vehicles and distribution centers (DCs) and vehicles have limited capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study developed a two-stage stochastic programming model for the distribution of relief items from DCs to the affected areas. Locating the DCs was the first-stage decisions in the introduced model. The second-stage decisions consisted of routing and scheduling of the vehicles to reach the affected areas.

Findings

In this paper, 7th district of Tehran was selected as a case study to assess the applicability of the model, and related results and different sensitivity analyses were presented as well. By carrying out a simultaneous sensitivity analysis on the capacity of vehicles and the maximum number of DCs that can be opened, optimal values for these parameters were determined, that would help making optimal decisions upon the occurrence of a disaster to decrease total relief time and to maximize the exploitation of available facilities.

Originality/value

The contributions of this paper are as below: presenting an integrated model for the distribution of relief items among affected areas in the response phase of a disaster, using a two-stage stochastic programming approach to cope with route disruptions and uncertain demands for relief items, determining location of the DCs and routing and scheduling of vehicles to relief operations and considering a heterogeneous fleet of capacitated relief vehicles and DCs with limited capacity and fulfilling the demand of each affected area by more than one vehicle to represent more realistic situations.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 50 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Sunkyung Choi and Shinya Hanaoka

The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for diagramming a base camp or space for emergency workers and a staging area to be used during sorting, storing, loading, and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a method for diagramming a base camp or space for emergency workers and a staging area to be used during sorting, storing, loading, and unloading of relief goods in a humanitarian logistics base airport.

Design/methodology/approach

A method is developed based on a synthesis of the relevant literature and current practices of airports. This provides a means for estimating the area required for each facility and visualizes the layout of the base through an adjacency diagram and a bubble diagram. The method is applied to the Shizuoka Airport in Japan as a case study.

Findings

The proposed method can be used to determine the approximate size and layout of a humanitarian logistics base in an airport based on the affected population and the number of emergency workers.

Research limitations/implications

Airport operation regulations and mathematical models from architectural planning need to be reflected further.

Practical implications

The method provides potential operational improvements for policies and standards for airport operations and enables government officials and humanitarian logistics organizations to identify concerns in facilitating and managing constraints in existing airports.

Originality/value

This study addresses the detailed phases in a diagramming for a humanitarian logistics base airport by integrating an architectural approach and airport disaster management. The results highlight the importance of managing the flexible use of space to improve effective humanitarian logistics.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 September 2010

Pamela C. Nolz, Karl F. Doerner and Richard F. Hartl

The purpose of this paper is to present an operations research (OR) model for planning water distribution tours in disaster relief. Especially in situations after a disaster…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an operations research (OR) model for planning water distribution tours in disaster relief. Especially in situations after a disaster occurrence, characterized by instability and the immediate need of help, high‐quality decisions have to be made fast. For this reason, it is very useful if planning decisions can be alleviated by a decision support system (DSS) using an efficient multi‐objective metaheuristic as its algorithmic core.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper develops a metaheuristic search technique based on evolutionary concepts for a real‐world extension of a multi‐objective covering tour problem.

Findings

The proposed method supports decision makers in finding appropriate compromise solutions with respect to conflicting objectives (e.g. coverage and travel time). With this work, the authors want to reduce the gap between theory and practical applications. They apply OR methods to a real‐world application in the field of disaster relief operations planning.

Research limitations/implications

The success of the proposed approach depends on the availability of reasonable and useful data. However, data generation in this context represents an upcoming discipline, especially under the circumstances of increasing threat by natural hazards.

Practical implications

When the approach is integrated in a DSS, different scenarios can be investigated immediately and presented with a geographic information tool. The most appropriate solution for the decision makers can be realized.

Originality/value

Heterogeneous transport modes and different road types were not considered so far in these types of problems.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 40 no. 8/9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

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