Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Volume 6 Issue 3 2016
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/toc/jhlscm/6/2

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Type: Research paper
Technology Innovation and Big Data for Humanitarian Operations
Tina Comes

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Drivers of government restrictions on humanitarian supply chains: an exploratory study
Type: Case study
Nathan Kunz , Gerald Reiner
Abstract
Purpose
Foreign governments do not always welcome international humanitarian organizations responding to a disaster in their country. Many governments even impose restrictions on humanitarian supply chains through import barriers, travel restrictions or excessive bureaucracy. We analyze these restrictions and try to identify the government characteristics that best explain the tendency to impose such restrictions.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a multiple case study among four international humanitarian organizations we identify and analyze the restrictions imposed on humanitarian supply chains in 143 different programs. We compare the average number of restrictions per country with different governmental and socio-economic situational factors.
Findings
We find that state fragility, a combination of government ineffectiveness and illegitimacy, is the characteristic that best explains the tendency of a government to impose restrictions on humanitarian supply chains.
Practical implications
Knowing that fragile states tend to impose a high number of restrictions helps humanitarian organizations to prepare adequately before entering a country with a fragile government. The organization can for example anticipate possible concerns and establish trust with the government. Commercial companies starting to do business in such country can learn from this knowledge.
Originality/value
Multiple studies have mentioned the strong impact of governments on humanitarian supply chains, but no paper has yet analyzed this problem in detail. Our paper is the first to identify the characteristics that explain the number of restrictions governments impose on humanitarian supply chains, and what humanitarian organizations can do to address them.

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Multi objective optimization for humanitarian logistics operations through the use of mobile technologies
Type: Technical paper
Marco Antonio Serrato-Garcia , Jaime Mora-Vargas , Roman Tomas Murillo
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the development and implementation of a multiobjective optimization model and information system based on mobile technology, to support decision-making in humanitarian logistics operations.
Design/methodology/approach
The trade-off between economic and social (deprivation) costs faced by governmental and nongovernmental organizations involved in humanitarian logistics operations is modeled through a Pareto frontier analysis, which is obtained from a multiobjective optimization model. Such analysis is supported on an information system based on mobile technology.
Findings
Results show useful managerial insights for decision-makers by considering both economic and social costs associated to humanitarian logistics operations. Such insights include the importance of timely and accurate information shared through mobile technology.
Research limitations/implications
This research presents a multiobjective approach that considers social costs, which are modeled through deprivation functions. The authors suggest that a future nonlinear approach be also considered, since there will be instances where the deprivation cost is a nonlinear function throughout time. Also, the model and information system developed may not be suitable for other humanitarian aid instances, considering the specific characteristics of the events considered on this research.
Practical implications
The inclusion of several types of goods, vehicles, collecting points off the ground, distributions points on the ground, available roads after a disaster took place, as well as volume and weight constraints faced under these scenarios, are considered.
Originality/value
A numerical illustration in the Latin American context is presented, the model and information system developed can be used in other developing countries or regions that face similar challenges towards humanitarian logistics operations.