Requirements for Relief Distribution Decision-Making in Humanitarian Logistics

2020 ◽  
pp. 93-112
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tafiqur Rahman ◽  
Tim A. Majchrzak
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Relief Distribution

Pragmatism in Decision Support System Research

2021 ◽  
pp. 1471-1493
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tafiqur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
Support System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Relief Distribution ◽  
Distribution Process ◽  
Complex Knowledge

Decision making on relief distribution is a complex multidisciplinary task in humanitarian logistics. It incorporates decision makers from different but related problem areas. The failure to perform assigned decision-making tasks in any area makes the entire system unstable and delays the relief distribution process. An organized, well-planned, and practical decision support system (DSS) can assist practitioners in making rapid decisions on delivering relief items. Hence, DSS researchers in humanitarian logistics require rigorous thinking, close and critical analysis, and the identification of challenges to conduct research or validate the generated knowledge properly. To perform such complex knowledge-based tasks, the philosophical understanding of DSS in the humanitarian context is necessary. After analyzing the commonly used philosophical paradigms, this research identifies the pragmatic approach as the adequate support for solving decision-making problems in relief distribution during large-scale disasters.

Pragmatism in Decision Support System Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-83
Author(s):  
Mohammad Tafiqur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support System ◽  
Support System ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Relief Distribution ◽  
Distribution Process ◽  
Complex Knowledge

Decision making on relief distribution is a complex multidisciplinary task in humanitarian logistics. It incorporates decision makers from different but related problem areas. The failure to perform assigned decision-making tasks in any area makes the entire system unstable and delays the relief distribution process. An organized, well-planned, and practical decision support system (DSS) can assist practitioners in making rapid decisions on delivering relief items. Hence, DSS researchers in humanitarian logistics require rigorous thinking, close and critical analysis, and the identification of challenges to conduct research or validate the generated knowledge properly. To perform such complex knowledge-based tasks, the philosophical understanding of DSS in the humanitarian context is necessary. After analyzing the commonly used philosophical paradigms, this research identifies the pragmatic approach as the adequate support for solving decision-making problems in relief distribution during large-scale disasters.

scholarly journals A multi-criteria vertical coordination framework for a reliable aid distribution

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 789 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiola Regis-Hernández ◽  
Jaime Mora-Vargas ◽  
Angel Ruíz
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Vertical Coordination ◽  
Coordination Costs ◽  
Relief Distribution ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: This study proposes a methodology that translates multiple humanitarian supply chain stakeholders’ preferences from qualitative to quantitative values, enabling these preferences to be integrated into optimization models to ensure their balanced and simultaneous implementation during the decision-making process.Design/methodology/approach: An extensive literature review is used to justify the importance of developing a strategy that minimizes the impact of a lack of coordination on humanitarian logistics decisions. A methodology for a multi-criteria framework is presented that allows humanitarian stakeholders’ interests to be integrated into the humanitarian decision-making process.Findings: The findings suggest that integrating stakeholders’ interests into the humanitarian decision-making process will improve its reliability.Research limitations/implications: To further validate the weights of each stakeholder’s interests obtained from the literature review requires interviews with the corresponding organizations. However, the literature review supports the statements in this paper.Practical implications: The cost of a lack of coordination between stakeholders in humanitarian logistics has been increasing during the last decade. These coordination costs can be minimized if humanitarian logistics’ decision-makers measure and simultaneously consider multiple stakeholders’ preferences.Social implications: When stakeholders’ goals are aligned, the humanitarian logistics response becomes more efficient, increasing the quality of delivered aid and providing timely assistance to the affected population in order to minimize their suffering.Originality/value: This study provides a methodology that translates humanitarian supply chain stakeholders’ interests into quantitative values, enabling them to be integrated into mathematical models to ensure relief distribution based on the stakeholders’ preferences.

Hybrid simulation modeling for humanitarian relief chain coordination

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline C Krejci
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Simulation Modeling ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Hybrid Simulation ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Data Collection And Analysis ◽  
Over Time

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a conceptual framework for a hybrid simulation model that can be used to study the decision making and behaviors of humanitarian logistics actors to determine how/whether certain coordination mechanisms enable better relief chain efficiency and effectiveness over time. Design/methodology/approach – The agent-based portion of the model is used to represent human decision making and interactions in a more realistic way than has been done previously, and the discrete-event simulation (DES) portion of the model allows the movement of vehicles, materials, and information throughout a supply network to be represented in a way that allows for dynamic and stochastic behavior. Findings – Coordinated efforts by actors in humanitarian logistics operations involve complex interactions and adaptations over time, which can be capture and explored via hybrid agent-based model (ABM)-DES modeling. Research limitations/implications – This paper describes a framework for a hybrid ABM-DES model. The actual development and implementation of the model, including input data collection and analysis, model development, experimentation, and output data collection and analysis, will be the subject of future work. Practical implications – The hybrid model framework provides other researchers with a starting point for model development. Social implications – This paper provides a basis for future modeling and assessment of coordination in humanitarian logistics, an area that is in need of research. Originality/value – The hybrid simulation modeling framework presented in this paper is a novel application of a new modeling methodology to the problem of coordination in humanitarian logistics.

Multi objective optimization for humanitarian logistics operations through the use of mobile technologies

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Serrato-Garcia ◽  
Jaime Mora-Vargas ◽  
Roman Tomas Murillo
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information System ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Multiobjective Optimization ◽  
Mobile Technology ◽  
Optimization Model ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Social Costs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Deprivation Costs

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 (NGOs) 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. Social implications Deprivation costs faced by affected population after a disaster took place are considered, which supports decision making in governmental and NGOs involved in humanitarian logistics operations toward welfare of such affected population in developing countries. 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 toward humanitarian logistics operations.

Including decision-makers preferences in the cost-deprivation trade-off during disaster interventions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Diehlmann ◽  
Patrick Siegfried Hiemsch ◽  
Marcus Wiens ◽  
Markus Lüttenberg ◽  
Frank Schultmann
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Weighted Sum ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Conflicting Objectives ◽  
The Cost

Purpose In this contribution, the purpose of this study is to extend the established social cost concept of humanitarian logistics into a preference-based bi-objective approach. The novel concept offers an efficient, robust and transparent way to consider the decision-maker’s preference. In principle, the proposed method applies to any multi-objective decision and is especially suitable for decisions with conflicting objectives and asymmetric impact. Design/methodology/approach The authors bypass the shortcomings of the traditional approach by introducing a normalized weighted sum approach. Within this approach, logistics and deprivation costs are normalized with the help of Nadir and Utopia points. The weighting factor represents the preference of a decision-maker toward emphasizing the reduction of one cost component. The authors apply the approach to a case study for hypothetical water contamination in the city of Berlin, in which authorities select distribution center (DiC) locations to supply water to beneficiaries. Findings The results of the case study highlight that the decisions generated by the approach are more consistent with the decision-makers preferences while enabling higher efficiency gains. Furthermore, it is possible to identify robust solutions, i.e. DiCs opened in each scenario. These locations can be the focal point of interest during disaster preparedness. Moreover, the introduced approach increases the transparency of the decision by highlighting the cost-deprivation trade-off, together with the Pareto-front. Practical implications For practical users, such as disaster control and civil protection authorities, this approach provides a transparent focus on the trade-off of their decision objectives. The case study highlights that it proves to be a powerful concept for multi-objective decisions in the domain of humanitarian logistics and for collaborative decision-making. Originality/value To the best of the knowledge, the present study is the first to include preferences in the cost-deprivation trade-off. Moreover, it highlights the promising option to use a weighted-sum approach to understand the decisions affected by this trade-off better and thereby, increase the transparency and quality of decision-making in disasters.

scholarly journals Engaging Stakeholders for Collaborative Decision Making in Humanitarian Logistics Using System Dynamics

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuesong Guo ◽  
Naim Kapucu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
System Dynamics ◽  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
System Thinking ◽  
System Dynamics Modeling ◽  
Dynamics Modeling ◽  
Collaborative Decision Making ◽  
Collaborative Decision ◽  
Sd Model

Abstract Participatory System Dynamics modeling is presented as a methodology to engage stakeholders in collaborative decision making in scenarios involving humanitarian logistics. Using the System Dynamics (SD) model, we simulated different scenarios, the results of which yielded factors that influence performance of humanitarian logistics. Once these were identified and discussed, different options on performance improvement were tested. This approach showed that the SD model can facilitate system thinking for stakeholders and form shared mental models critical to reaching consensus-based decisions in humanitarian logistics situations.

scholarly journals A Systematic Literature Review on Mathematical Models of Humanitarian Logistics

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Ibrahim M. Hezam ◽  
Moddassir k. Nayeem
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Mathematical Optimization ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Optimization Models ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Deterministic Models ◽  
Relief Distribution

Humanitarian logistics (HL) is considered one of the most significant issues of disaster operations and management. Thus, HL operation should be viable enough to function well under the uncertain and complex nature of the disaster. Many difficulties in pre-and post-disaster phases bring both human and economic losses. Therefore, it is essential to make sure that the HL operations are designed efficiently. In the last two decades, several publications have emphasized efficient HL operations and proposed several mathematical models and algorithms to increase the efficiency of HL operations and motivated the necessity of a systematic literature review. A systematic literature review is deemed pertinent due to its transparent and detailed article searching procedure. In this study, due to the importance of the mathematical optimization model, we reviewed more than one hundred articles published between 2000 and 2020 to investigate the optimization models in the field of HL. We classified the optimization models into three main problems: facility location problems, relief distribution, and mass evacuation where each of the classified areas includes both deterministic and non-deterministic models.

scholarly journals Enhancing Decision Making Capabilities in Humanitarian Logistics by Integrating Serious Gaming and Computer Modelling

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-410
Author(s):  
Za’aba Bin Abdul Rahim ◽  
Giuseppe Timperio ◽  
Robert de Souza ◽  
Linda William
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Computer Modelling ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Serious Gaming
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