Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Volume 5 Issue 1 2015
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/jhlscm/5/1

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Guest editorial: humanitarian logistics – an opportunity for service research
Graham Heaslip (pp. 2 – 11)
Abstract:
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to examine the nature service operations management (OM) and its application to the field of humanitarian operations.
Design/methodology/approach
– The paper serves as the editorial for this issue of JHLSCM.
Findings
– The paper suggests that there is an opportunity for service OM academics to apply their knowledge and skills to answer fundamental questions in the humanitarian OM field.
Research limitations/implications
– There is a need for a re-conceptualization of the term “humanitarian operations” to include services. Humanitarian OM is not just products but also services.
Originality/value
– The paper contributes to the knowledge and applications of services OM in humanitarian operations research. This is the first work to identify how services OM theories can be adopted for humanitarian OM research. This research should serve as a foundation for future research.

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Managing airborne relief during international disasters
Michael Morales , Doral Edward Sandlin (pp. 12 – 34)
Type: Case study
Abstract:
Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the need for an entity to manage airborne relief when a nation’s civil aviation authorities are overwhelmed or incapacitated due to a major rapid-onset disaster.
Design/methodology/approach
– The paper examines why relief airflow management was so vital during the 2010 Haiti earthquake and how this management was accomplished. The author uses a case study methodology that includes interviews with logistics and aviation experts within the humanitarian and military communities involved in the Haiti relief effort.
Findings
– The research highlighted an airflow management capability gap within the humanitarian community. The author sets forth several possible alternatives for resolving this gap.
Research limitations/implications
– The research is a single case study of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. While performing a multiple case study may have provided more widely applicable conclusions, this case study provides in-depth information applicable to the worst of disasters, where an airflow management capability is most likely to be needed.
Practical implications
– While host nation civil aviation authorities retain responsibility for airspace/airflow management after a disaster, these can oft be overwhelmed by the volume of airborne relief flooding the area. Without an entity to assist the affected nation with airflow management, smooth logistical flow of relief goods to those in need can be catastrophically impeded.
Originality/value
– Little research exists on disaster relief airflow management or the legitimate need for this capability to be developed within the humanitarian community.

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The value of fourth-party logistics services in the humanitarian supply chain
Hella Abidi , Sander de Leeuw , Matthias Klumpp (pp. 35 – 60)
Type: Research paper
Abstract:
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