Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Volume 6 Issue 2 2016
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/jhlscm/6/2

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Type: Research paper
Supply chain agility in humanitarian protracted operations
Cécile L’Hermitte , Peter Tatham , Ben Brooks , Marcus Bowles
Abstract:
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the concept of agility in humanitarian logistics beyond emergency operations. Since the humanitarian logistics literature focuses primarily on emergencies and sees longer-term and regular operations as being conducted in relatively stable and predictable environments, agile practices are usually not associated with humanitarian protracted operations. Therefore, this paper explores the logistics and supply chain environment in such operations in order to identify their basic features and determine if agility is an important requirement.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a case study of the United Nations World Food Programme, we collected and analysed qualitative and quantitative data on the characteristics of protracted operations, the risks and uncertainties most frequently encountered, their impact, and the ways that field logisticians manage contingencies.
Findings
Our research demonstrates that unpredictability and disruptions exist in protracted operations. Therefore, short-term operational adjustments and agile practices are needed in order to support the continuity of humanitarian deliveries.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should focus on a wider range of humanitarian organisations and move from a descriptive to a prescriptive approach in order to inform practice. Notwithstanding these limitations, our study highlights the need for academics to broaden the scope of their research beyond emergencies and to address the specific needs of humanitarian organisations involved in longer-term operations.
Originality/value
This paper is the first empirical research focusing exclusively on the logistics features of humanitarian protracted operations. It provides a more concrete and complete understanding of these operations.

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Introducing PEARL: A Gini-like index and reporting tool for public accountability and equity in disaster response
Type: Research paper
Claire Elizabeth Carlson , Paul A. Isihara , Roger Sandberg , David Boan , Kaile Phelps , Kyu Lim Lee , Danilo R. Diedrichs , Daniela Cuba , Johnny Edman , Melissa Gray , Roland Hesse , Robin Kong , Kei Takazawa
Abstract:
Purpose
The need in disaster response to assess how reliably and equitably funding was accounted for and distributed is addressed by a standardized report and index applicable to any disaster type.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from the Nepal earthquake (2015), typhoon Haiyan (2013), the Haiti earthquake (2010), Sri Lankan ood (2011) and Hurricane Sandy (2012) illustrate uses of a Public Equitable Allocation of Resources Log (PEARL). Drawing from activity-based costing and the Gini index, a PEARL spreadsheet computes absolute inequity sector by sector as well as a cumulative index. Response variations guide index value interpretation.
Findings
Index values indicates major inequity in Nepal hygiene kit distribution and Haiti earthquake (both PEARL indices near .5), moderate inequity for the Sri Lankan flood (index roughly .75) and equitable distributions for Typhoon Haiyan and Hurricane Sandy (both indices approximately .95). Indices are useful to approximate proportions of inequity in the total response and investigate allocation under uncertainty in sector need specification.
Originality/value
This original tool is implementable using a website containing a practice PEARL, completed examples and downloadable spreadsheet. Used across multiple sectors or for a single sector, PEARL may signal need for additional resources, correct inequitable distribution decisions, simplify administrative monitoring / assessment, and foster greater accounting transparency in summary reports. PEARL also assists historical analysis of all disaster types to determine completeness of public accounting records and equity in fund distribution.

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A SCOR framework to measure logistics performance of humanitarian organizations
Type: Research paper
Qing Lu , Mark Goh , Robert De Souza
Abstract:
Purpose
In humanitarian logistics operations, performance measurement is crucial for effective operation. We seek to develop a set of indicators for humanitarian relief organizations (HROs) for their organizational level logistics operations.
Design/methodology/approach
We apply the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) framework to the context of humanitarian supply chains. By taking a bottom-up approach with the support of a large HRO, we identify the most important metrics through examining its supply chain processes. The initial metrics are then validated by seven HROs to ensure their applicability in humanitarian logistics operations.
Findings
A hierarchical benchmarking framework is proposed, and a set of twenty-six metrics is identified. The validation of these metrics supports our initial work with all metrics deemed important. It also highlights the implementation difficulty as only five indicators are readily available. We further suggest the automation of key logistics processes, which would significantly increase the number of implementable metrics to fourteen.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size of the validation is small, and the last mile delivery is not covered by our metrics.
Practical implications
With these performance metrics, HROs are able to monitor their logistics performance better with processed-based measures, which may lead to their policy and process adjustments for performance improvement.
Originality/value
Our work contributes to performance measurement in humanitarian logistics with a framework of a generic metrics set. The validation result is also original to reveal the state of performance measurement on the ground.

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Capabilities and competencies in humanitarian operations
Type: Research paper
Aruna Apte , Paulo Goncalves , Keenan Yoho
Abstract:
Purpose
Both the military and non-military Organizations (NMO) bring assets, skills and capabilities to a humanitarian crisis, however, their competencies and capacities are very diverse. Identification of the specific competencies and capabilities that are core to these types of organizations can enable better planning by both military and NMOs, allowing them to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency in the humanitarian response. For this purpose our research explores the core capabilities of the military and NMOs engaged in humanitarian operations.
Design/methodology/approach
Our work builds on existing literature on the core competency of the corporation. We extend the concept of the ability to identify, cultivate and exploit the core capabilities in the private sector to the organizations that want to respond efficiently and effectively to disasters. We develop a Core Competencies Test for such organizations.
Findings
Our research identifies the competencies and capabilities that are core to the U.S. military and NMOs for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. By identifying such abilities we establish a vein of research for exploring the role of such organizations to facilitate greater understanding among academics, policy makers and decision makers in public administration, public health, and international aid.
Originality/value
Existing literature in humanitarian logistics does not adequately address identification of those competencies and capabilities that are core to the military organizations and NMOs and are most needed during the operational life cycle of a humanitarian crisis. In addition to identifying them, we compare the core capabilities of the military and non-military organizations.