Abstract:Although resources are scarce and outputs incorporate the potential to save human lives, efficiency measurement endeavors with data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods are not yet commonplace in the research and practice of non-government organizations (NGO) and states involved in humanitarian logistics. We present a boot-strapped DEA window analysis and Malmquist index application as a methodological state of the art for a multi-input and multi-output efficiency analysis and discuss specific adaptions to typic… Show more
“…Some of most recent studies in the area of HSCs include Heaslip et al (2018), Khan et al (2020); Moshtari et al (2021), Klumpp and Loske (2021); Wagner et al (2021), Pascucci (2021); Kovács and Falagara Sigala (2021); Renteria et al (2021), Yang (2021); Dhamija et al (2021), Caballero-Anthony et al (2021); and Hezam and Nayeem (2021). Heaslip et al (2018) emphasized on the importance of incorporating the spirit of servitization in humanitarian logistics and emergency relief chains to their competitive advantage.…”
Section: Literature Reviewmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Moshtari et al (2021) concentrated their research on the procurement practices and related issues among the humanitarian organizations. Klumpp and Loske (2021) examined only the economic sustainability of the humanitarian logistics efforts by taking two historical datasets: one related to certain African countries and the other related to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Wagner et al (2021) highlighted how an emerging industry of consultants is intervening and creating an impact in the humanitarian operations in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness.…”
Purpose
The continual onset of natural and manmade disasters propels the humanitarian supply chain (HSC) efforts (by organizations, groups and individuals) to always be on a stand-by mode with more and more sustainable solutions. Despite all the sincere and coordinated efforts from all the humanitarian agents and bodies, the likely sustainable outputs are hampered by certain barriers (impediments) which exist at different levels of the HSCs. A better understanding of such barriers and their mutual relationship is deemed helpful in improving the outcomes of humanitarian efforts. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore, refine, establish and classify these barriers which thwart the sustainable efforts of the HSCs individually as well as collectively.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review is conducted to identify these barriers which were followed by soliciting the experts’ inputs to update, refine and retain the contextually relevant ones. The opinions about the nine identified and refined barriers are taken from eight experts based in the Northern India who are having at least five years of experience in humanitarian operations. Fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) is used to examine and establish a hierarchical relationship among these barriers, whereas fuzzy Matrice d’impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment analysis is carried out to further classify these barriers into dependent, autonomous, linkage and dependent barriers.
Findings
The analysis led to the formation of a FISM model where the operational challenges affecting the performance occupy the topmost position in the hierarchy. The results reveal that inconsistent motives, coordination and communication and operational challenges affecting the performance are the dependent, poor strategic planning, capacity-related challenges and poor performance measurement system are the autonomous, and financial challenges, locational challenges and lack of proper awareness are the independent barriers.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of the researchers was to study and examine these barriers to sustainable HSCs with special reference to the epidemics and pandemics (especially COVID-19), and it sheds light particularly arising during and post disaster phases.
Practical implications
The structural model contributed by this study is expected to be meaningful for practitioners besides enriching the body of literature. In the context of pandemics, it distinguishes itself from the other available frameworks.
Social implications
As this research has been carried out in the context of the novel COVID-19, the framework is expected to assist policymakers in comprehending the issues impeding the sustainability of noble humanitarian efforts. Thus, ultimately it is expected to contribute to the ultimate cause of society at large.
Originality/value
This research endeavor distinguishes itself from the other accessible published resources in terms of the specific context, the methodological approach and the nature of respondents. This paper concludes with the practical implications and directions for future research.
“…Some of most recent studies in the area of HSCs include Heaslip et al (2018), Khan et al (2020); Moshtari et al (2021), Klumpp and Loske (2021); Wagner et al (2021), Pascucci (2021); Kovács and Falagara Sigala (2021); Renteria et al (2021), Yang (2021); Dhamija et al (2021), Caballero-Anthony et al (2021); and Hezam and Nayeem (2021). Heaslip et al (2018) emphasized on the importance of incorporating the spirit of servitization in humanitarian logistics and emergency relief chains to their competitive advantage.…”
Section: Literature Reviewmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…Moshtari et al (2021) concentrated their research on the procurement practices and related issues among the humanitarian organizations. Klumpp and Loske (2021) examined only the economic sustainability of the humanitarian logistics efforts by taking two historical datasets: one related to certain African countries and the other related to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Wagner et al (2021) highlighted how an emerging industry of consultants is intervening and creating an impact in the humanitarian operations in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness.…”
Purpose
The continual onset of natural and manmade disasters propels the humanitarian supply chain (HSC) efforts (by organizations, groups and individuals) to always be on a stand-by mode with more and more sustainable solutions. Despite all the sincere and coordinated efforts from all the humanitarian agents and bodies, the likely sustainable outputs are hampered by certain barriers (impediments) which exist at different levels of the HSCs. A better understanding of such barriers and their mutual relationship is deemed helpful in improving the outcomes of humanitarian efforts. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore, refine, establish and classify these barriers which thwart the sustainable efforts of the HSCs individually as well as collectively.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive literature review is conducted to identify these barriers which were followed by soliciting the experts’ inputs to update, refine and retain the contextually relevant ones. The opinions about the nine identified and refined barriers are taken from eight experts based in the Northern India who are having at least five years of experience in humanitarian operations. Fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) is used to examine and establish a hierarchical relationship among these barriers, whereas fuzzy Matrice d’impacts croisés multiplication appliquée á un classment analysis is carried out to further classify these barriers into dependent, autonomous, linkage and dependent barriers.
Findings
The analysis led to the formation of a FISM model where the operational challenges affecting the performance occupy the topmost position in the hierarchy. The results reveal that inconsistent motives, coordination and communication and operational challenges affecting the performance are the dependent, poor strategic planning, capacity-related challenges and poor performance measurement system are the autonomous, and financial challenges, locational challenges and lack of proper awareness are the independent barriers.
Research limitations/implications
The focus of the researchers was to study and examine these barriers to sustainable HSCs with special reference to the epidemics and pandemics (especially COVID-19), and it sheds light particularly arising during and post disaster phases.
Practical implications
The structural model contributed by this study is expected to be meaningful for practitioners besides enriching the body of literature. In the context of pandemics, it distinguishes itself from the other available frameworks.
Social implications
As this research has been carried out in the context of the novel COVID-19, the framework is expected to assist policymakers in comprehending the issues impeding the sustainability of noble humanitarian efforts. Thus, ultimately it is expected to contribute to the ultimate cause of society at large.
Originality/value
This research endeavor distinguishes itself from the other accessible published resources in terms of the specific context, the methodological approach and the nature of respondents. This paper concludes with the practical implications and directions for future research.
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