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Article
Publication date: 29 July 2014

Evangelos Mitsakis, Iraklis Stamos, Jose Maria Salanova Grau and Georgia Aifadopoulou

The purpose of this paper is to present and apply a methodology that optimally assigns emergency response services (ERS) stations in Peloponnesus, Greece that was severely hit by…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present and apply a methodology that optimally assigns emergency response services (ERS) stations in Peloponnesus, Greece that was severely hit by wildfires in 2007, in an effort to describe the actual emergency response in this disaster and identify disaster management possibilities that can arise from the optimal allocation of the existing fire stations.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology concerns the development of an objective function that aims to minimize maximum and average response times of ERS stations and the evaluation of developed scenarios. Simulated annealing is used for the minimization of the objective function, providing near-optimal solutions with low computation times for medium-scale networks.

Findings

The findings concern the comparison of average and maximum response times of ERS stations to hearths of fire, based on their actual and optimal allocation. They reveal an overall reduction in the average and maximum response time by 20 and 30 percent, respectively, for the entire region, while there is a reduction of 15 and 35 percent in the average and maximum response time for the locations affected by the 2007 wildfires.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology is formulated as a facility location problem with unitary demand and unlimited capacity in the stations, which means that the allocation does not take into account simultaneous events.

Originality/value

The paper fulfills an identified need to apply innovative research solutions to actual case studies in order to identify existing gaps and future disaster management possibilities.

Details

Disaster Prevention and Management, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0965-3562

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 26 December 2023

Mehmet Kursat Oksuz and Sule Itir Satoglu

Disaster management and humanitarian logistics (HT) play crucial roles in large-scale events such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis. Well-organized disaster response

Abstract

Purpose

Disaster management and humanitarian logistics (HT) play crucial roles in large-scale events such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis. Well-organized disaster response is crucial for effectively managing medical centres, staff allocation and casualty distribution during emergencies. To address this issue, this study aims to introduce a multi-objective stochastic programming model to enhance disaster preparedness and response, focusing on the critical first 72 h after earthquakes. The purpose is to optimize the allocation of resources, temporary medical centres and medical staff to save lives effectively.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses stochastic programming-based dynamic modelling and a discrete-time Markov Chain to address uncertainty. The model considers potential road and hospital damage and distance limits and introduces an a-reliability level for untreated casualties. It divides the initial 72 h into four periods to capture earthquake dynamics.

Findings

Using a real case study in Istanbul’s Kartal district, the model’s effectiveness is demonstrated for earthquake scenarios. Key insights include optimal medical centre locations, required capacities, necessary medical staff and casualty allocation strategies, all vital for efficient disaster response within the critical first 72 h.

Originality/value

This study innovates by integrating stochastic programming and dynamic modelling to tackle post-disaster medical response. The use of a Markov Chain for uncertain health conditions and focus on the immediate aftermath of earthquakes offer practical value. By optimizing resource allocation amid uncertainties, the study contributes significantly to disaster management and HT research.

Details

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

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2019

Seyed Mahdi Shavarani

Previously use of drones as a relief distribution vehicle was studied in several studies where required number of drones and the best locations for the relief centers were…

1230

Abstract

Purpose

Previously use of drones as a relief distribution vehicle was studied in several studies where required number of drones and the best locations for the relief centers were investigated. The maximum travel distance of drones without a need to recharge is limited by their endurance. Recharge stations can be used to extend the coverage area of the drones. The purpose of this paper is to find the best topology for both relief centers and recharge stations to cover a large-scale area with minimum and feasible incurred costs and waiting times.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-level facility location problem (FLP) is utilized to find the optimum number of relief centers and refuel stations and their locations. It is supposed that the demand occurs according to Poisson distribution. The allocation of the demand is based on nearest neighborhood method. A hybrid genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the model. The performance of the algorithm is examined through a case study.

Findings

The proposed method delivers increased efficiency and responsiveness of the humanitarian relief system. The coverage area of the drones is extended by refuel stations, total costs of the system are reduced and the time to respond an emergency, which is an important factor in survival rate, is significantly decreased.

Originality/value

This study proposes a multi-level FLP to simultaneously account for recharge stations, relief centers and the number of required drones to cover all the demand for relief in a post-disaster period.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 9 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2017

Aradhana Vikas Gandhi, Ateeque Shaikh and Pratima Amol Sheorey

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption and implementation of supply chain management practices (SCMPs) on supply chain performance (SCP) and firm performance…

4555

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the adoption and implementation of supply chain management practices (SCMPs) on supply chain performance (SCP) and firm performance (FP) in the organized retail industry in a developing country like India.

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical study was conducted on a sample size of 125 responses collected from the supply chain heads of organized retail firms in India. A theoretical model was developed depicting the relationship between SCMPs, SCP and FP. The theoretical model was tested using mediating multiple regression analysis.

Findings

This research suggests that the SCMPs are positively related to SCP and FP. Customer relationship management and supplier relationship management are reported as the most important SCMPs, which had the maximum impact on the FP in the organized retailing context in India.

Research limitations/implications

The research employed perceptual performance measures. Future studies can use actual performance parameters like profit and sales growth to better quantify the benefits of SCM in this context.

Originality/value

This research is an attempt to empirically test the impact of SCMPs on FP in organized retailing context in an emerging market, India.

Details

International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, vol. 45 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-0552

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2015

Alireza Ebrahim Nejad and Onur Kuzgunkaya

The purpose of this paper is to provide a decision-making tool achieving robust supply flow by incorporating strategic stock and contingent sourcing in mitigating minor and major…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a decision-making tool achieving robust supply flow by incorporating strategic stock and contingent sourcing in mitigating minor and major disruptions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider a firm with two suppliers where the main supplier is cost-effective but prone to disruptions and the back-up supplier is reliable but expensive due to built-in volume flexibility. In order to incorporate the randomness associated with disruptions and the available capacity during response time in the decision-making stage, the authors present a multi-stage robust optimization (RO) model. The design problem is to determine optimal strategic stock level and response speed of volume-flexible back-up supplier in order to achieve a robust supply flow.

Findings

The results show that the quality of optimal solution is improved by considering the randomness associated with available capacity. In addition, incorporating congestion effects allows identifying the appropriate level of supply chain responsiveness, thus improving the overall performance.

Originality/value

The novelty of the proposed model is the consideration of both strategic stock and volume flexibility in maintaining a robust supply performance while incorporating response capability and congestion effects.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 26 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

Sirirat Pungchompoo and Apichat Sopadang

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the new performance measurement model for the Thai frozen shrimp chain.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the new performance measurement model for the Thai frozen shrimp chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The performance measurement model was developed by the combination method between a structural equation modeling and an analytical hierarchy process, which the method confirmed and proved the construction of the framework and identified the important key performance indicators of the chain from different supply chain members’ point of views.

Findings

The results showed that the model is reliable and valid as well as being theoretically acceptable on the basis of performance measurement foundations. Furthermore, the financial and the customer perspectives are demonstrated as the first to be prioritized in order to evaluate the performance.

Research limitations/implications

Two limitations should be considered. First, small sample size of this study is a limitation. Hence, further study should consider on enough sample size. A next limitation, different points of view from participants has effect on factor loading which represented minus value on the research model. Therefore, the future research should apply several techniques, such as the fuzzy set and data envelopment analysis.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study is the new performance measurement model which based on the integrated conceptual ideas and the synthesizing methods for evaluating the Thai frozen shrimp chain.

Details

Business Process Management Journal, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-7154

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2003

Felix T.S. Chan, H.J. Qi, H.K. Chan, Henry C.W. Lau and Ralph W.L. Ip

Supply chain management (SCM) has gained a tremendous amount of attention from both industries and researchers since the last decade. Until now, there are numerous papers…

6762

Abstract

Supply chain management (SCM) has gained a tremendous amount of attention from both industries and researchers since the last decade. Until now, there are numerous papers, articles, and reports that address SCM, but there is still a lack of integration between the existing performance measurement methods and practical requirements for the SCM. An innovative performance measurement method is proposed to provide necessary assistance for performance improvement in SCM. The proposed method will address this purpose in these four aspects: a simplified supply chain model; tangible and intangible performance measures in multiple dimensions; a cross‐organizational performance measurement; and fuzzy set theory and weighted average method.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 41 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 May 2003

Mary Canning and Brendan O’Dwyer

The primary aim of this study is to examine the descriptive power of the private interest model of professional accounting ethics developed by Parker in 1994. This examination is…

2442

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to examine the descriptive power of the private interest model of professional accounting ethics developed by Parker in 1994. This examination is undertaken over an extended time period in the Irish context. It develops prior research which concluded that the operation of the professional ethics machinery of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (CAI) facilitated private interest motives on the part of the ICAI. The paper draws on evidence regarding three critical events occurring outside the disciplinary process of the ICAI but impacting directly on its operation as well as on perceptions from within the process. The discourse surrounding the disciplinary process from 1994 to 2001 is examined using media coverage and ICAI pronouncements. This is augmented with in‐depth interviews held with members of the ICAI disciplinary committees. The analysis provides evidence of pockets of support for the descriptive power of Parker’s model but also illustrates how the rigid and static nature of the separate roles depicted within the model can often fail to capture the complexity of the various changes occurring over the period examined. The study presents evidence which challenges the proposed interrelationships between the various private interest roles depicted in the model and makes some suggestions for the modification of the model, particularly the interrelationships depicted therein.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 16 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 8 October 2013

Sheri L. Erickson, Mary Stone and Marsha Weber

This case study analyzes Countrywide Financial’s responses to its recent financial crisis and illustrates the use of communication theory and image restoration strategies by…

Abstract

This case study analyzes Countrywide Financial’s responses to its recent financial crisis and illustrates the use of communication theory and image restoration strategies by utilizing several crisis response frameworks. The study uses a critical analysis methodology to examine the communication strategies employed by Countrywide, a large mortgage lending company in order to attempt to restore its image. The authors look at excerpts from media stories, carefully examine the language used by company representatives in response to the banking crisis, and categorize the corporate communications into various strategies as defined in the crisis communication literature. Countrywide faced several crisis situations during the period of this study, including the subprime mortgage crisis, public criticism of its CEO’s executive compensation package, allegations of insider trading, and financial difficulties. Corporate responses are critical in determining what amount of damage is done to the firm’s image during a crisis. Countrywide responded to these situations most often using the strategies of image bolstering, reducing the credibility of its accuser, and minimizing the crisis (Benoit, 1995). Through these communications, the company attempted to appear well established and untarnished. It also criticized the media, the courts, and the regulators in an attempt to reduce their credibility. Countrywide made no deliberate attempt to admit fault or to take measures to prevent the problem from reoccurring.

Details

Managing Reality: Accountability and the Miasma of Private and Public Domains
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78052-618-8

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1973

PHILIP B. SCHARY and BORIS W. BECKER

This monograph progresses from a consideration of definitional issues to the development of a conceptual model for marketing‐logistics interaction and finally to a discussion of…

Abstract

This monograph progresses from a consideration of definitional issues to the development of a conceptual model for marketing‐logistics interaction and finally to a discussion of the issues of implementation of the model within the context of marketing strategy. Thus, following an introduction, Part II begins with definition of the field and examines the position of physical distribution in relation to marketing. Part III discusses the relationship of physical distribution and macro‐marketing, and is thus concerned about the social, aggregative goals of logistics systems, including the costs of distribution. Part IV continues this argument, examining specifically the influence of physical distribution on channel structure. Part V then focuses on the assumptions underlying the customer service function, asking how physical distribution can influence final demand in the market place. Part VI presents a conceptual model of marketing‐logistics demand stimulation. The operational issues concerned with its implementation are shown in Part VII; and a summary of the relevant points is presented in Part VIII. The concern has been not with presenting either new computational models nor empirical data but with presenting a new perspective on the marketing‐logistics interface. There is a need to reduce the barriers between these fields and to present more useful ways for co‐operation.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution, vol. 3 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0020-7527

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