Challenges, gaps and trends in humanitarian logistics

Gyöngyi Kovács

Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Research Institute (HUMLOG Institute)

HUMLOG Institute

Background

» Rapidly evolving field of humanitarian logistics, e.g.» In practice: from a criticism of a lack of co-ordination to the Log Cluster, LOG, HLA, joint CAP appeals etc.» In research: from occasional articles 1960-2005 to a boom, >10 special issues in 2008-2011, a dedicated journal (JHLSCM)» In education: from a criticism of a lack of training to the establishment of certification programmes (CHL, CHSCM, CMedLog), masters & PhD programmes…

» Project on challenges in humanitarian logistics» Previous studies to analyze the current state of humanitarian logistics in different countries (e.g. Ghana, China)

» Invited paper to IJPDLM on “trends” (for Vol.41 No.1)

» Start of JHLSCM, need for further updates

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Gap analysis

» Sample: » EAB members of the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management + snowball sampling

» Data collection: » Open-ended questions about state of the art + gaps

» Data analysis: » for gaps

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State of the art in research

» Disaster-specific» Later organization-specific» Focus on the phase of disaster response, neglecting mitigation, preparedness and reconstruction to development» Preparedness from the governmental view or the facility location / prepositioning view only

» Main conceptual foci» Inter-agency co-ordination and the lack thereof» Performance measurement» And various smaller topics, e.g. needs assessment, last mile issues etc.

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State of the art in practice and education

» Implementation of cluster approach and other co-ordination mechanisms

» IASC, logistics cluster, purchasing consortia, communities of practice, professional groups

» Joint funding appeals (CAP appeal)» Outsourcing to commercial LSPs, partnerships» Development of new products and services

» Specialisation, diversification

» HL software: fleet management, pipeline management…

» Humanitarian organisations as service providers» Development of dedicated training and education

» Professional certifications, courses, dedicated masters degrees

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Results for research

» Need for more problem-driven research» Empirical-practical problems and their solutions

» Research with rigor AND relevance» Need for applicable solutions

» Working with, not around the constraints of reality

» Feasibility in solution and solution time

» Considering the possibilities of having / obtaining data quickly enough as for this solution to be considered

» The good news» New software implementation (e.g. HELIOS) will make more, and more accurate data, possible to obtain

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Topical gaps

1. Collaboration vs. co-opetition vs. supply chain collaboration

» Latent relationships» Purchasing consortia combined with supply chain

collaboration» Constraints to collaboration (incl. hum.principles, mandates)

2. Link between short term relief and long-term activities» Linking relief and rehabilitation to development (LRRD)» Preparedness» Forgotten disasters, complex emergencies

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Topical gaps

3. Sustainability of disaster relief supply chains» Sustainable supply chain design – with an exit strategy» Long-term impact of humanitarian operations» Greening the relief supply chain» Community development» Local/global sourcing – impact on local communities» Micro-financing – empowering beneficiaries as customers

4. Product and service development for humanitarian organisations

» Products for humanitarian purposes

» Humanitarian organisations as service providers

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The HUMLOG Institute

» Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Research Institute – HUMLOG Institute

» Foundation in Apr 2008 by the Hanken School of Economics and the National Defence University

» Board including representatives of humanitarian organisations (currently UNICEF Finland and Huoltovarmuuskeskus/NESA)

» Partnership programme for companies, humanitarian organisations and universities / research institutes

» Major current research projects» Relief Supply Chain Management (RelSCM): Academy of Finland project

» Food Security and Development: Commissioned Development Research by MFA, together with Väestöliitto

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JHLSCM

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www.emeraldinsight.com/jhlscm.htm

Further information:HUMLOG Institute: www.hanken.fi/humloginstitute

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Gyöngyi Kovács (kovacs@hanken.fi)

HUMLOG Institute