The impact of using outsourcing strategy by humanitarian organizations on logistical performance: An empirical investigation from a developing country

Abstract

This paper empirically investigates the potential benefits of outsourcing humanitarian logistics activities to commercial logistics service providers (LSPs) to improve rescue missions in the Al Zaatari Syrian refugee camp in Jordan. The study uses a quantitative research approach, a survey data set of 140 questionnaires was collected from the managers and managerial staff dealing with logistical activities. First, a comprehensive review of related literature was performed to guide this research and then to test the main hypotheses of this study, correlation and regression analysis were carried out. The findings confirmed that humanitarian organizations in Al Zaatary camp can get benefits from collaborating with LSPs on delivering primary logistic services (shelter, food, medicine, transportation, etc.) (Nurmala, de Leeuw, & Dullaert, 2017). Moreover, the findings showed that outsourcing is preferred in the response phase (Vega & Roussat, 2015). This paper contributes to the growing body of knowledge on humanitarian logistics in ways that fills a gap by empirically investigate the phenomenon, as well as it is considered well timed in the context of the still current situation due to political instability in the region. As far as the authors are aware, this research represents the first study within the humanitarian logistics sector in Jordan.