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1 – 10 of over 2000
Article
Publication date: 2 January 2024

Stephan M. Wagner, M. Ramkumar, Gopal Kumar and Tobias Schoenherr

In the aftermath of disasters, humanitarian actors need to coordinate their activities based on accurate information about the disaster site, its surrounding environment, the…

Abstract

Purpose

In the aftermath of disasters, humanitarian actors need to coordinate their activities based on accurate information about the disaster site, its surrounding environment, the victims and survivors and the supply of and demand for relief supplies. In this study, the authors examine the characteristics of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and those of disaster relief operations to achieve information visibility and actor coordination for effective and efficient humanitarian relief operations.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on the contingent resource-based view (CRBV), the authors present a model of task-technology fit (TTF) that explains how the use of RFID can improve visibility and coordination. Survey data were collected from humanitarian practitioners in India, and partial least squares (PLS) analysis was used to analyze the model.

Findings

The characteristics of both RFID technology and disaster relief operations significantly influence TTF, and TTF predicts RFID usage in disaster relief operations, providing visibility and coordination. TTF is also a mediator between the characteristics of RFID technology and disaster relief operations and between visibility and coordination.

Social implications

The many recent humanitarian disasters have demonstrated the critical importance of effective and efficient humanitarian supply chain and logistics strategies and operations in assisting disaster-affected populations. The active and appropriate use of technology, including RFID, can help make disaster response more effective and efficient.

Originality/value

Humanitarian actors value RFID technology because of its ability to improve the visibility and coordination of relief operations. This study brings a new perspective to the benefits of RFID technology and sheds light on its antecedents. The study thus expands the understanding of technology in humanitarian operations.

Details

The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0957-4093

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…

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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: 30 September 2014

Christian N. Madu and Chu-Hua Kuei

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for disaster relief supply chain quality management (DRSCQM).

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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.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 31 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Zhe Ouyang, Jiuchang Wei, Yu Xiao and Fei Wang

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of media attention on corporate disaster relief.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of media attention on corporate disaster relief.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a matched sample research design, which is considered more appropriate than a random sample design for studying events that have low-occurrence rates in general. For each donor firm in the Yushu earthquake, the authors matched the firm with a non-donor firm in the same industry and with a firm size of within ±30 percent of the total assets in the year prior to the year of the occurrence of the Yushu earthquake. Then, using the Baidu engine, which is the most popular Chinese search engine, the authors captured the online media attention to the donor firms and their disaster relief.

Findings

The authors found that media attention drove corporate disaster relief.

Research limitations/implications

Although the authors highlighted the role of the media as an important stakeholder in influencing corporate disaster relief, the authors did not fully explore the media’s influence. Future research should delve more deeply into the impact of the tenor of media coverage on corporate disaster relief.

Originality/value

This study reveals that the media, a particularly powerful stakeholder, can be a corporate disaster relief driver in China.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2015

Yuhei Inoue and Cody T Havard

– The purpose of this paper is to explore disaster relief activities implemented by high-profile sport organisations and athletes.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore disaster relief activities implemented by high-profile sport organisations and athletes.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 70 newspaper and magazine articles reporting the disaster relief efforts of sport organisations and athletes in various regions were identified and analysed through a content analysis.

Findings

The authors find 11 forms of activities that sport organisations and athletes have implemented to provide social support in post-disaster situations. These forms are classified based on type of post-disaster social support: eight forms are categorised as tangible support, while the other three are categorised as emotional support.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are based on the analysis of the news media that predominantly reported North American cases, and the current list of disaster relief activities may exclude some activities ignored by these specific data sources. Using the forms of disaster relief activities identified in this study as an initial framework, future studies should engage in the focused analysis of disaster response among sport organisations and athletes.

Practical implications

The comprehensive list of the disaster relief activities identified by this study should aid the decision-making of sport organisations and athletes in facing disasters and enable them to better prepare for their disaster response.

Originality/value

This study reveals the extensiveness and uniqueness of disaster relief activities currently implemented by sport organisations and athletes.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 24 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

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: 5 November 2018

Karin Wu, Hung-Hao Chang and Lih-Chyun Sun

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of disaster relief payments on on-farm and off-farm labor supply of farm households in Taiwan. The effectiveness of the…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of disaster relief payments on on-farm and off-farm labor supply of farm households in Taiwan. The effectiveness of the policy amendments of the disaster relief assistance programs is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A unique sample of 124,827 persons living in the family farm household in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 was used. This sample was merged into the township-level administrative profile of all of the recipients of agricultural disaster relief payments from the Natural Disaster Program in Taiwan. A fixed effect panel data model was estimated to analyze the impacts of disaster relief payments on each individual’s labor supply decision.

Findings

Natural disaster payments significantly reduced individual’s propensity to work on the farm. Moreover, the higher of the payments, the higher(lower) possibility of the individual to engage in on-farm(off-farm) work. In addition, an increase in the amount of disaster payments can increase the on-farm labor supply of family farm members.

Research limitations/implications

Due to data unavailability, an individual-level panel data set is not used. Future studies can check the robustness of the finding using an individual-level panel data set.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the limited empirical evidence on agricultural relief programs.

Details

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, vol. 8 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2044-0839

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 October 2011

Mustafa Alp Ertem and Nebil Buyurgan

The purpose of this paper is to address the inefficiency problems in procurement operations in disaster relief logistics which are mainly due to the lack of coordination among…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to address the inefficiency problems in procurement operations in disaster relief logistics which are mainly due to the lack of coordination among less organized suppliers and partnerships. Such problems lead to poor responsiveness and hinder timely procurement of required goods.

Design/methodology/approach

An auction‐based framework for procurement of goods, which is suitable for a single coordinating platform in disaster relief logistics, is proposed. Integer programming formulations are used in auctioning operations. A simulation model that generates problem instances is used to evaluate and tune system‐level design parameters.

Findings

Design parameters greatly affect the behaviour and responsiveness of the system and the performance of the auction‐based framework in different problem instances. Combinations of those parameters may allow suppliers with limited capacities to become more involved in the bidding process. In addition, the procurement shares of bidders may change substantially with different values of the parameters.

Research limitations/implications

Even though the presented framework is inspired from real‐life applications, it is not implemented in real‐life disaster relief operations. The goodness of fit for the framework would best be evaluated by a real disaster case. In addition, transportation scheduling and vehicle routing considerations and budgeting issues are not considered in the framework.

Originality/value

This paper presents an auction‐based framework for less organized suppliers of goods and their partnerships, such as local humanitarian organizations, private companies, and standby partners. The presented framework offers a background for coordination during disaster relief operations which provides opportunities to act as a set of organized entities. This background also helps those entities coordinate their efforts to enhance the capabilities of local governments and NGOs.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 1 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 August 2015

Yongqiang Gao and Taïeb Hafsi

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how firms compete with each other in philanthropic giving in the context of a natural disaster. In particular, the authors want to…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how firms compete with each other in philanthropic giving in the context of a natural disaster. In particular, the authors want to investigate: Which firms act faster in disaster relief giving? How do late movers react? In the end, which firms donate most at the competitive equilibrium, first or late movers? Whether and how firm visibility will affect the relationships proposed based on the former three questions?

Design/methodology/approach

The Chinese listed companies that donated to the May 12, 2008, Sichuan earthquake are taken as a sample. A negative binomial regression analysis is first conducted to identify the first movers. Then, linear regression analysis is conducted to identify the competition between first movers and late movers.

Findings

The authors find that large firms and firms with a high financial performance tend to be first movers in disaster relief giving. Late movers donate amounts that are similar to those of first movers in both absolute and relative value. But first movers donate more in absolute value than late movers in the whole process of giving. Firm visibility strengthens the effect of financial performance (return on assets) on giving timing, but weakens the effect of giving timing on both first round and total giving amount.

Originality/value

This study provides a dynamic theory of giving and enhances the understanding of the motives and patterns of corporate disaster relief giving. It also illustrates important insights into firms’ strategic and tactical behavior in disaster relief giving.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 9 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 July 2023

Umar Habibu Umar

This study aims to examine how board gender diversity and foreign directors influence the sector-wise corporate philanthropic giving (donation) of Islamic banks in Bangladesh.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine how board gender diversity and foreign directors influence the sector-wise corporate philanthropic giving (donation) of Islamic banks in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

Unbalanced panel data were extracted from the annual reports of Islamic banks in Bangladesh over 11 years, from 2010 to 2020.

Findings

The findings indicate that gender diversity significantly improves corporate philanthropic giving for the education sector but insignificantly influences corporate philanthropic giving for health and humanitarian and disaster relief sectors. In contrast, the results show that foreign directors significantly and positively affect the banks' corporate philanthropic giving for the three sectors.

Research limitations/implications

This paper used only secondary data extracted from the annual reports of Islamic banks in Bangladesh between 2010 and 2020. Besides, only three sectors of corporate social responsibility activities were considered. Hence, the findings could not be generalized, as the study used only data from one country.

Practical implications

The findings can be useful to policymakers and regulators to provide policies and regulations that ensure the appointment of women and foreign directors to boards that can competently promote Islamic banks' charitable donations.

Social implications

Inducing Islamic banks to provide corporate donations for activities related to education, health and humanitarian and disaster relief can contribute directly to achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) like SDG-3 (good health and well-being) and SDG-4 (quality education) and impliedly support attaining some indicators of SDG-1 (no poverty), SDG-2 (zero hunger) and SDG-10 (reduced inequality).

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by investigating how board gender diversity and foreign directors influence sector-wise corporate donations for the education, health and human and disaster relief sectors instead of aggregate donations studies concentrated by previous studies.

Details

Gender in Management: An International Journal , vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-2413

Keywords

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