Enhancing service delivery in humanitarian relief chains: the role of relational capital

Abstract

PurposeThe study examined the influence of relational capital on inter-cluster coordination and service delivery of humanitarian organisations; the mediating and moderating role of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service delivery.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from 60 humanitarian organisations. Potential respondents were five officers from each humanitarian organisation involved in delivering humanitarian assistance. Respondents from the different organisations were selected using purposive sampling. The SPSS software, SMART PLS and CB-SEM software were used to obtain results on the influence of relational capital on inter-cluster coordination and service delivery in humanitarian organisations; and the mediating and moderating role of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service delivery.FindingsFindings indicated that relational capital influences inter-cluster coordination and service delivery in humanitarian relief chains; inter-cluster coordination partially mediates the relationship between relational capital and service delivery in humanitarian relief chains; and no interactive effect was found when the moderation effect of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service delivery in humanitarian organisations was examined.Research limitations/implicationsThe study was mainly focused on humanitarian organisations excluding beneficiaries and the logistics suppliers. The research has implications to decision-makers in government and humanitarian organisations concerned with providing relief aid to beneficiaries.Originality/valueThe influence of relational capital on inter-cluster coordination and service delivery in humanitarian relief chains; the mediating role and moderating role of inter-cluster coordination on the relationship between relational capital and service in humanitarian relief chains are aspects that have not been given significant attention empirically.

Can intercluster coordination mediate the relationship between supply chain flexibility and humanitarian supply chain performance?

“…Recently, ICC has gained significant attention in the context of the humanitarian organization as an efficient strategy of disaster operations management (Moshtari, 2016;Prasanna and Haavisto, 2018;Dubey et al, 2019). However, it is important to note that ICC heavily relies on traditional SC concept (Namagembe, 2020). According to Moshtari (2016) Supply chain flexibility and performance (Madhaven, Koka and Prescott, 1998).…”

“…In highly uncertain situations, such as those involving disaster relief activities, responsibility interdependence is more beneficial than task interdependence. It allows actors to concentrate their efforts on the contributions they make to their own and other clusters (Namagembe, 2020). Due to the complex nature and increase in the number of disasters, coordination and specialization has become essential and challenging (Schulz, 2008; Van Wassenhove, 2006: Oloruntuba, 2005; Beamon, 2004).…”

“…Situations of this nature depict the importance of coordination with regards to preparedness and response (Oloruntuba, 2005). This explains why intercluster coordination is very key in humanitarian relief operations (Namagembe, 2020, Mutebi et al , 2020a, b; Jahre and Jensen, 2010). “Inter-cluster coordination is a cooperative effort among sectors/clusters” (Namagembe, 2020, p. 170).…”

“…This explains why intercluster coordination is very key in humanitarian relief operations (Namagembe, 2020, Mutebi et al , 2020a, b; Jahre and Jensen, 2010). “Inter-cluster coordination is a cooperative effort among sectors/clusters” (Namagembe, 2020, p. 170). Even though intercluster coordination has received a lot of attention in the literature, exploratory studies on its role is still very limited (Namagembe, 2020).…”

Influence of Supply Chain Leagility on Performance of Humanitarian Aid Organizations in Kenya

“…According to Namagembe, humanitarian entities participate majorly in two forms of activities; relief and development activities [34]. Despite the huge chunks of money pumped into humanitarian sector, stringent oversight by donors and expectations from vulnerable populations, humanitarian supply chains still respond in a sluggish, inefficient and poorly coordinated manner to emergencies [35].…”