Collaborative distributed decision making for large scale disaster relief operations: Drawing analogies from robust natural systems

Complexity ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto G. Aldunate ◽  
Feniosky Pena-Mora ◽  
Gene E. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Distributed Decision Making ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Distributed Decision

Evidence-Based Decision-Making (Part II): Applications in Disaster Relief Operations

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Bradt
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Disaster Management ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Disaster Medicine ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Evidenced Based

AbstractRecognized limitations to data in disaster management have led to dozens of initiatives to strengthen data gathering and decision-making during disasters. These initiatives are complicated by fundamental problems of definitions of terms, ambiguity of concepts, lack of standardization in methods of data collection, and inadequate attempts to strengthen the analytic capability of field organizations. Cross-cutting issues in needs assessment, coordination, and evaluation illustrate additional recurring challenges in dealing with evidence in humanitarian assistance. These challenges include lack of agency expertise, dyscoordination at the field level, inappropriate reliance on indicators that measure process rather than outcome, flawed scientific inference, and erosion of the concept of minimum standards.Decision-making in disaster management currently places a premium on expert or eminence-based decisions. By contrast, scientific advances in disaster medicine call for evidence-based decisions whose strength of evidence is established by the methods of data acquisition. At present, disaster relief operations may be data driven, but that does not mean that they are soundly evidence-based.Options for strengthening evidence-based activities include rigorously adhering to evidenced-based interventions, using evidence-based tools to identify new approaches to problems of concern, studying model programs as well as failed ones to identify approaches that deserve replication, and improving standards for evidence of effectiveness in disaster science and services.

scholarly journals Collaborative relationships between logistics service providers and humanitarian organizations during disaster relief operations

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 118-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Bealt ◽  
Jair Camilo Fernández Barrera ◽  
S. Afshin Mansouri
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Humanitarian Organizations ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Relief Operations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore barriers and benefits of establishing relationships between humanitarian organizations (HOs) and logistics service providers (LSPs) in order to improve humanitarian disaster relief operations (DROs). The perceptions of a variety of actors are explored to determine key factors which influence collaboration. Design/methodology/approach – This study comprises of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches. A comprehensive literature review was undertaken alongside an online survey with a variety of respondents. Descriptive statistics, data visualization and qualitative data analysis were implemented to analyse survey results. A follow-up survey and interviews with LSPs validated the results. Findings – The research presents the opinions of a variety of actors involved in DROs and reveals barriers which affect HO/LSP collaboration. Explanations for these barriers and possible solutions to mitigate them are disclosed. The findings also uncover gaps between research and practice; providing new insights into behaviour in the humanitarian field. Practical implications – The authors provide an in-depth understanding of the barriers and challenges faced in this field and suggest a reevaluation of corporate decision making in order to increase trust between LSPs and HOs. The authors identify future research topics including the impact of donors and military organizations on HO decision making, and analysis of variables which may affect the formation of collaborative partnerships. Originality/value – The authors introduce a unique empirical insight into the perspectives of HOs, LSPs and academics and offers suggestions for mitigating the numerous barriers associated with successful collaborative partnerships between HOs and LSPs.

The role of intermodal transportation in humanitarian supply chains

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Zhang, MS ◽  
Lesley Strawderman, PhD ◽  
Burak Eksioglu, PhD
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chains ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Current Response ◽  
Intermodal Transportation ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Transportation Modes ◽  
Relief Operations

After a natural or man-made disaster, effective and efficient disaster relief support is needed. People affected by disasters should be moved from impacted areas, and staff and disaster relief supplies need to be moved to affected destinations in a timely manner. Disaster relief supply chains facilitate the transportation of personnel and supplies that directly affect the humanitarian aid performance. Utilizing appropriate transportation modes in the relief chain is critical to maintain effective relief operations. The main objective of this study is to identify the role of intermodal transportation and related decision making in disaster relief transportation. This objective will be achieved through the following specific aims: identify and assess the current response operations; determine how, if at all, and why humanitarian organizations utilize different modes of transportation to move goods and personnel effectively and efficiently when responding to and recovering from disasters; and identify factors that will potentially enhance the attractiveness of using intermodal transportation. To achieve these aims, two rounds of interviews were conducted first, and second, a large-scale online survey was distributed. Data analysis found that intermodal transportation is not frequently used in disaster relief operations. Decision makers in disaster relief agencies consider multiple factors when choosing transportation modes, but among the factors identified by participants, travel distance was the transportation mode considered most often, regardless of whether supplies or people were being transported. Finally, the organizations that cover larger areas and preposition supplies in their relief operations tend to use intermodal transportation more frequently.

scholarly journals Evolutionary optimization for disaster relief operations: A survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 553-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Jun Zheng ◽  
Sheng-Yong Chen ◽  
Hai-Feng Ling
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Evolutionary Optimization ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Operations
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