Disaster relief logistics operation: an insight from Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwame Owusu-Kwateng ◽  
Munir Abdul Hamid ◽  
Bernice Debrah
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Study Finding ◽  
Emergency Relief ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Situation ◽  
Assessment Time ◽  
Effective Assessment ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Coordinating logistics in the midst of a relief operation is often an overwhelming job that can jeopardise the human life and assets if not done rapidly and practicably. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of relief logistics in a disaster situation in Ghana with emphasis on the coordination of emergency relief operation and effectiveness of inventory management. Design/methodology/approach A stratified sampling method was employed to a sample of 134 respondents from regional, district and municipal offices in the National Disaster Management Organisation in Ghana using a self-administered questionnaire. Findings The findings from this study revealed an effective assessment time but late delivery of relief items. They also revealed issues with respect to resource availability, inventory management and coordination with relief actors which resulted in slow response to affected population. Practical implications The result from this study reveals an ineffective disaster relief response. The practical implications of this issue have been highlighted. In addition, ways to effectively address this issue have been discussed. Originality/value Drawing insight from previous work and study finding, the paper presents a framework for effective relief logistics operation focussing on all relevant actors in each phase of disaster.

Overcoming the challenge of “fuzzy” assessment and feedback

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 505-519
Author(s):  
Brendan Boyle ◽  
Rebecca Mitchell ◽  
Anthony McDonnell ◽  
Narender Sharma ◽  
Kumar Biswas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Student Learning ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Central Component ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fuzzy Assessment ◽  
Management Students ◽  
Effective Assessment ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Critical Process ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis paper explores the challenge of “fuzzy” assessment criteria and feedback with a view to aiding student learning. The paper untangles three guiding principles as mechanisms to enhance the effectiveness of assessment and feedback through overcoming the inherent challenges which stem from tacit judgement during assessment.Design/methodology/approachThe paper applies a realistic evaluation methodology, with a framework for assessment and feedback consisting of three principles – Means, Opportunity and Motivation (MOM). Through in-depth interviews with undergraduate and postgraduate management students the paper identifies how and when the means, opportunity and motivation principles impact student learning through assessment and the utility of the feedback received on their learning.FindingsThe findings in the paper illustrate that students do not always understand the feedback they receive on their learning because they do not fully understand the criteria to which it refers due to the tacit dimensions of assessment. The findings substantiate the proposition that effective assessment processes must ensure that students have the means, opportunity and motivation to use feedback and to understand the criteria, a central component of which is understanding tacit dimensions of assessment.Practical implicationsThe paper deciphers three practical implications for instructors related to (1) teaching, (2) course and program design and (3) the nature of the feedback instructors should provide.Originality/valueWhile prior scholarship has flagged the challenge of “fuzzy” assessment and feedback, this paper identifies when and how the means, opportunity and motivation principles are manifested in the process of making the tacit components of assessment codified and actionable, a critical process in developing expert learners.

The impact of managing IT on business-IT alignment and firm performance: an empirical study

foresight ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aboobucker Ilmudeen
Keyword(s):  
Firm Performance ◽  
Study Finding ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
It Investment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
It Alignment ◽  
Business It Alignment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Though prior studies have attempted to explore the various effects of managing information technology (IT) investment on firm performance, the mechanism through which management of IT impact on firm performance rests less clear. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of managing IT and business-IT alignment on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on the resource-based theory and process theory, this study examines how managing IT impacts business-IT alignment and firm performance. The primary survey of 182 responses from IT and business managers from Sri Lanka was empirically examined. Findings The findings reveal that managing IT has a positive and strong impact on business-IT alignment and firm performance. Further, business-IT alignment partially mediates between managing IT investment and firm performance relationships. Research limitations/implications Today, businesses have invested a massive amount of money in IT investment, and the return on this investment is always a serious concern for managers and industry practitioners. This study finding proposes meaningful insights on managing IT, business-IT alignment and firm performance. Originality/value This study opens up the black box on the above nomological linkage and contributes to the literature by extending the theoretical lenses while suggesting insightful and practical implications.

Managing the humanitarian supply chain: a fuzzy logic approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 521-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kunal K. Ganguly ◽  
R.K. Padhy ◽  
Siddharth Shankar Rai
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Inventory Management ◽  
Humanitarian Relief ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Situation ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Approach ◽  
Logic Approach ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM) in today’s environment faces the challenges such as information availability, inventory management, collaboration, logistics related issues and preparedness. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the HSCM performance, considering the consequences in terms of operation, recovery and responsiveness based on the fuzzy estimates of the components presented. Design/methodology/approach In the study, triangulation approach was adapted for collecting data and developing a hierarchical structure for humanitarian supply chain performance assessment. The relationships between HSCM performance and its suddenness and required preparedness are depicted by cause and effect diagrams. The concepts of fuzzy association and fuzzy composition are applied to identify relationships. Findings In the hierarchy presented, the performance in a disaster situation, preparedness and suddenness of the situation and factors that influence the above are modeled. The taxonomy is developed for describing the relationship between factors, their likelihoods and impacts to achieve consistent quantification. Research limitations/implications The study considers case studies from Indian conditions; however, conditions in other countries and their practices for the disaster management may vary to certain extent. Practical implications A methodology presented for evaluating the exposures in considering the consequences in terms of responsiveness, operations, recovery, mitigation and emergency response. The study may help the humanitarian relief practitioners to understand the insights of the disaster situations using the proposed framework. Originality/value A common language for describing the different factors of HSCM is presented, which includes terms for quantifying likelihoods and impacts. The concept of fuzzy association and fuzzy composition has been applied to identify relationships between sources and consequences on HSCM performance. The use of descriptive linguistic variables is ensured through the implementation of fuzzy logic.

Online grocery retailing – exploring local grocers beliefs

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonal Kureshi ◽  
Sujo Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Control Belief ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Grocery Retailing ◽  
Online Retailers ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the beliefs of local grocery retailers about online grocery retailing. Using the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the study explores the outcome, normative and control beliefs held by the local grocers about online grocery retailing which would eventually translate into behavior. Factors influencing local grocers intention to participate or refusing to participate in the online grocery retailing was investigated. Design/methodology/approach In total, 20 in-depth interviews with local grocery retailers were conducted ranging from small to large sized retail stores from a city in the western part of India. The sample included two groups of local grocers – first, grocers who partnered with online retailers as suppliers. This group included those retailers who had partnered but discontinued later and second, grocers who had not partnered with online retailers. In-depth interviews with the local grocery retailers were conducted using TPB as a basis to uncover local grocers’ beliefs toward online grocery retailing and predict their behavior. Findings The outcome beliefs were classified into five broad heads – business expansion; gaining visibility and reputation; customer expectations; inventory management; and margins, costs and technical issues. The normative belief was that the actions and response to online grocery retailing would be governed by their referent group – the consumers. The main control belief was that partnering with online grocery retailing would result in loss of control regarding their business operations. Research limitations/implications The results indicated that in a country like India especially in small to medium size towns, online grocery retailers would have to think of creative ways to involve the local grocery retailers to grow their business. The local grocers due to their size were able to adapt to the requirements of their referent consumers without any additional cost. They were unlikely to give up control regarding how they run their business. The main limitation of this study was the exploratory nature of this study which makes it difficult to prioritize the importance given to each belief. The study sample was restricted to one city in India, and future studies could include other cities. Practical implications The findings have practical implications for online grocery retailers who wish to expand into emerging markets like India. It provides understanding about the local grocery retailers who were the major competitors of online grocery retailers. It provides direction to integrate and partner with the local grocers and utilize them for mutual benefits. Originality/value Given the absence of academic literature in the public domain, this study provides a platform for future studies in this area. This paper is a systematic attempt to uncover the underlying beliefs of local grocery retailers who were the key players in the grocery retailing business.

scholarly journals Fool’s gold? A critical assessment of sources of data on heritage crime

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-21
Author(s):  
Louise Grove ◽  
Suzie Thomas ◽  
Adam Daubney
Keyword(s):  
Data Availability ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
High Quality Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
Effective Assessment ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Collection Methods

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore critically various sources of data available on heritage crime, and consider how these may be utilised and improved. Design/methodology/approach This study is primarily a scoping review of the current heritage crime data climate, embedding examples from a range of existing and potential information sources. It highlights opportunities to improve data resources. Findings A lack of consistency in reporting and recording practices means there is little meaningful evidence about heritage crime trends and patterns. This needs to change in order to develop and evaluate appropriate strategies to reduce the problem of heritage crime nationally and internationally. Research limitations/implications It is hoped that urging improvement of data resources in the heritage crime sector will inspire a greater number of researchers to analyse and address key problems within heritage crime. Practical implications This paper encourages the development of new and improved data collection methods to foster effective assessment of existing heritage crime reduction schemes and better support victims of heritage crime. Social implications Increasing availability and accessibility of high-quality data on heritage crime would allow for developing better protections and resource allocation for vulnerable heritage. Originality/value This paper has drawn together, for the first time, evidence of the existing state of affairs of data availability within heritage crime. It is a position paper which encourages the development of improved recording and reporting practices both formally and informally across heritage and criminal justice sectors in order to support further research and understanding of the heritage crime problem.

Assessing lifetime profitability of customers with purchasing cycles

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Zhang ◽  
P.B. Seetharaman
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Probability Model ◽  
Customer Relationship ◽  
Customer Profitability ◽  
Scoring Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Buying Behaviors ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a method to help firms assess lifetime profitability of customers whose buying behaviors are characterized by purchasing cycles, which are determined by both intrinsic purchasing cycles and cumulative effects of firms’ marketing solicitations. Design/methodology/approach This paper first proposes a probability model to predict customers’ responses to firms’ marketing solicitations in which a customer’s inter-purchase times are assumed to follow a Poisson distribution, whose parameters vary across customers and follow a gamma distribution. The paper then proposes a customer profitability scoring model that uses customers’ responses as an input to assess their lifetime profitability at a given point of time. Findings The paper illustrates the proposed method using individual-level purchasing data of 529 customers from a catalog firm. The paper shows that the proposed model outperforms the benchmark model in terms of both explaining and predicting customers’ purchases. The paper also demonstrates significant profit consequences to the firm if incorrect methods are used instead of the proposed method. Practical implications The proposed method can help firms select or eliminate customers based on their lifetime profitability so that firms can focus their marketing efforts in a more targeted manner to increase total profits. Originality/value The proposed Gamma-Poisson probability model and the profitability scoring method are easy to implement due to the attractive conjugacy property. It is valuable for firms’ customer relationship management applications from the standpoint of making customer selection and inventory management decisions.

Agile and lean principles in the humanitarian supply chain

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Cozzolino ◽  
Silvia Rossi ◽  
Alessio Conforti
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lean Principles ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain ◽  
Logistics Process ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the specific stages of the humanitarian logistics process in which the agile and lean principles are needed.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this purpose, the authors propose an original conceptual framework and apply it to evidence from a “best practice” case study in the humanitarian sector: the United Nations World Food Programme and its efforts in the Darfur (Sudan) crisis.FindingsAlthough several previous works introduced the agile principle as suitable for disaster relief, when and how to embrace the agile and lean principles remained unclear. This paper demonstrates the proper combination of the agile and lean principles in disaster relief phases. The correspondence is based on the coincidence of the objectives that arises in every stage and that each principle is capable of achieving.Research limitations/implicationsFurther empirical research is needed to support the framework and to enrich the results that arise from this first explorative work.Practical implicationsThe proposed framework is targeted at leading actors involved in the operation and planning of humanitarian logistics when a crisis emerges. This approach, which is based on the combination of the agile and lean principles, is not exclusive to the humanitarian sector. This perspective may be useful to create business logistics that address disruptions to traditional supply chain flows and other forces that disrupt logistics, production and information handling.Originality/valueThe paper clarifies how agility and leanness should be emphasised in specific stages of the humanitarian logistics process, to reach a higher level of effectiveness and efficiency when planning disaster relief.

The question is which is to be master – that’s all

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 339-341
Author(s):  
Tom P. Abeles
Keyword(s):  
Science Fiction ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Critical Characteristics ◽  
Affective Skills ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
And Robotics

Purpose – The author, Geoff Colvin, argues that education, particularly in the STEM area, has given the USA a global economic edge and that this technology now has given rise to an increasingly sophisticated and powerful set of tools in the form of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. The book in its first quarter argues for the increasing capabilities that will give humans access to technologies for advancing its well-being and that of the environment. Design/methodology/approach – The review notes that the remaining ¾ of the volume is an argument as to why soft or affective skills will be the critical characteristics that will allow the technology to advance but not dominate. This review questions whether the length of the defense succeeds in its effort to validate the human–computer relationship in favor of humans. Findings – The author is unable to neutralize his opinion and that of others that if it can be imagined that AI/robots can replace humans, then they will. The author is unable to shake the idea that if affective skills such as emotions can be developed by AI, then it will happen. Only in Science Fiction literature such a possibility exists and its consequences have been explored. Practical implications – AI/robotics will continue to advance providing technological solutions to the issues surrounding the environment and the improvement of human life. Originality/value – There is significant uncertainty as to what the socio/economic and political ramifications are or will be for an increasingly rapid evolution of both AI and robotics.

Adapting warehouse operations and design to omni-channel logistics

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 890-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joakim Hans Kembro ◽  
Andreas Norrman ◽  
Ebba Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Channel Management ◽  
Value Proposition ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Organization And Management ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Warehouse Operations ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Limited Coverage

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of how warehouse operations and design are affected by the move toward integrated omni-channels. Design/methodology/approach A structured literature review is conducted to identify and categorize themes in multi- and omni-channel logistics, and to discuss how aspects related to these themes impact and pose contingencies for warehouse operations and design. Findings The review revealed a lack of focus on warehouse operations and design in multi- and omni-channels. Instead, most articles published in scientific journals discuss changes in consumer demand and implications for the network level, concerning aspects such as the organization and management of material and information flows, inventory management, resources, actors and relationships. Ten themes in omni-channel logistics were identified and grouped into two categories: the value proposition and channel management; and the physical distribution network design. The themes and related aspects have implications for warehousing, and by combining these with general warehousing knowledge, the authors derive a comprehensive and structured agenda is derived to guide future research on omni-channel warehousing. Research limitations/implications This paper outlines a research agenda, including detailed research questions, for advancing the theory on warehouse operations and design in omni-channels. Practical implications The agenda can inspire practitioners in their work to understand the upcoming challenges and address relevant issues in omni-channel warehousing, taking into consideration its interdependence with value proposition, channel management and network decisions. Originality/value This is the first comprehensive review focusing on and synthesizing available literature on omni-channel warehousing. This topic has until now received limited coverage but is of increasing importance to scholars in the field.

Developing social skills

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Social Skills ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Social Skills Interventions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conversational Skills ◽  
Effective Assessment ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the different features of social skills and outline a hierarchy of social skills model. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on clinical work over 25 years and presents the results of research using a hierarchical approach to developing social skills. Findings Social skills interventions delivered according to a hierarchy of social skills (self-awareness and self-esteem; body language; conversational skills; friendship skills; assertiveness) are effective in improving social skills. Practical implications Effective assessment should determine which skills to start with. Intervention should involve the environment, peers and a variety of direct instructional approaches to maximise the potential for success and generalisation into everyday life. Originality/value This paper provides an overview of social skills and social competence, stresses the importance of good assessment to target the start point for intervention and emphasises the need to involve others to maximise success and generalisation.

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