scholarly journals Humanitarian Logistics: A Disaster Relief Operations Framework During Pandemic Covid-19 in Achieving Healthy Communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Mazrul Hisyam Ab Malik ◽  
Emi Normalina Omar ◽  
Siti Noorsuriani Maon
Keyword(s):  
Time Pressure ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Efficient Manner ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Process Collaboration ◽  
Relief Operations

High levels of coordination, cooperation, and collaboration between involved aid providers are needed for efficient logistics processes. In the immediate response phase, coordination, cooperation, and collaboration are firstly required when non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assess the beneficiaries’ needs by sending field assessment and coordination teams into the disaster area. The question is, how to respond to the natural disaster in the most efficient manner to minimize the loss and maximize the efficiency of the rescue mission. This research explores the Malaysian scenario of humanitarian logistics as well as the challenges in collaborations between government agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) during disaster relief operations in Malaysia. Thus, this study used past literature to proposed a conceptual framework and identified two factors namely, trust and coordination as the key factors in the successful humanitarian logistics framework. In addition, the role of NGOs during a disaster is also important to reduce the burden on government agencies in managing the humanitarian aid distribution process. Collaboration between government and NGOs is pursued in the mitigation and long-term recovery phases, where decisions are taken with particular caution, and NGOs’ strategies are adjusted to others without time pressure. The most important driver for successful collaboration is trust. Coordination provisions will increase trust between agencies involved in disaster relief operations. Therefore, building trust between parties involved in certain task or disaster relief activities can be enhanced by adding up a contract agreement to ensure both parties will work efficiently and coordinate with the job and minimize the risk that could occur.

Logistics service providers’ engagement in disaster relief initiatives

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 269-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Cozzolino ◽  
Ewa Wankowicz ◽  
Enrico Massaroni
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Logistics Services ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the contribution of logistics service providers’ (LSPs) initiatives to disaster relief and how LSPs are engaged with humanitarian sector. In recent years, the importance of logistics services in disaster relief operations and the capacity of LSPs to improve humanitarian supply chain management have become an increasingly interesting topic for both professionals and academics. Design/methodology/approach This research follows a qualitative approach based on multiple case studies. Findings The current research, after considering the differences and similarities among collaboration, cooperation and coordination and underlining how crucial these mechanisms are in the humanitarian context, explains the contribution of LSPs to relief operations alongside humanitarians. Research limitations/implications There has been increased interest in humanitarian logistics on the part of international academic and professional communities. This study constitutes a first exploratory step in the research to build a platform for benchmarking analysis of logistics services that aims to ensure the effective implementation of social responsibility principles. Practical implications The managerial implications arising from the research offer a range of current responsible actions from which strategic and operative directions to contribute can be derived. Originality/value Humanitarian logistics represents a crucial field in logistics management. This paper addresses the innovative socially responsible initiatives undertaken by the main international LSPs in the area of humanitarian logistics.

The role of organizational culture and voluntariness in the adoption of artificial intelligence for disaster relief operations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhishek Behl ◽  
Meena Chavan ◽  
Kokil Jain ◽  
Isha Sharma ◽  
Vijay Edward Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Behavioral Intentions ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
National Level ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Relief Operations

PurposeThe study explores the readiness of government agencies to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the efficiency of disaster relief operations (DRO). For understanding the behavior of state-level and national-level government agencies involved in DRO, this study grounds its theoretical arguments on the civic voluntarism model (CVM) and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT).Design/methodology/approachWe collected the primary data for this study from government agencies involved in DRO in India. To test the proposed theoretical model, we administered an online survey questionnaire to 184 government agency employees. To test the hypotheses, we employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsOur findings confirm that resources (time, money and skills) significantly influence the behavioral intentions related to the adoption of AI tools for DRO. Additionally, we identified that the behavioral intentions positively translate into the actual adoption of AI tools.Research limitations/implicationsOur study provides a unique viewpoint suited to understand the context of the adoption of AI in a governmental context. Companies often strive to invest in state-of-the-art technologies, but it is important to understand how government bodies involved in DRO strategize to adopt AI to improve efficiency.Originality/valueOur study offers a fresh perspective in understanding how the organizational culture and perspectives of government officials influence their inclinations to adopt AI for DRO. Additionally, it offers a multidimensional perspective by integrating the theoretical frameworks of CVM and UTAUT for a greater understanding of the adoption and deployment of AI tools with organizational culture and voluntariness as critical moderators.

Using containers as storage facilities in humanitarian logistics

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayşenur Şahin ◽  
Mustafa Alp Ertem ◽  
Emel Emür
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Earthquake Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Security Planning ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Real Earthquake ◽  
Storage Facilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of freight containers to store relief items instead of operating a permanent warehouse building. Design/methodology/approach – A mathematical model is developed to determine the location and quantity of containers as well as the type and amount of relief supplies to store in order to investigate the practicality of using freight containers for storage. The model is tested using earthquake risk data, estimates of population under risk, and the distances between cities. An experimental study is performed using Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (abbreviated as AFAD in Turkish) data for total number of relief supplies. Findings – Considering the earthquake risk of possible locations, the results of the study indicate the target locations for containers. The idea of using containers as storage facilities helped beneficiaries to be reached within a short distance and in an efficient way. Research limitations/implications – The presented model is not implemented in real life disaster relief operations even if it is tested with real earthquake risk, demand and distance data. Practical implications – To apply this model in practice, the container locations within cities should be determined and managerial operations such as maintenance, environmental, and security planning have to be considered. Originality/value – This study presents the first analysis of three sub-topics’ intersection: warehousing, pre-positioning in disaster relief, and containerization. To the best of authors’ knowledge, containers have not been considered for storage of relief items in humanitarian logistics before.

Lessons from the humanitarian disaster logistics management

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1455-1473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Asif Salam ◽  
Sami A. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Humanitarian Logistics ◽  
Logistics Management ◽  
Military Establishment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disaster Relief Operations ◽  
Disaster Logistics ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
The Military

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to draw lessons for logistics management in humanitarian disasters, using the earthquake in Haiti as a case study. In Haiti, there were problems with the logistical response. This study investigates the humanitarian logistics challenges faced by various stakeholders in Haiti during the disaster-relief operations.Design/methodology/approachIn this exploratory case study, the central methodology used was data triangulation. Data triangulation involved interviews with respondents grouped into three categories, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the military establishment and the governmental agencies. Prominence is given to the common themes expressed by each group. These common themes are then compared to the themes of other groups to identify opportunities and problems for future disaster relief operations.FindingsThe study indicates that there is a clear gap in terms of how the humanitarian efforts were coordinated between different actors. Lack of civil–military cooperation and coordination was one of the findings from the interviews, and many of the resources and initiatives were overlapping or redundant. Timeliness and efficiency need to be at the forefront of all planning and would result in more saved lives and reduced human suffering. The key goal of humanitarian logistics stipulates is to form connections and relationships, which was well illustrated through the informants' interviews. It was found that organizing different stakeholders/actors to work together by sharing processes and distribution channels demands a vision that goes beyond logistics management. Government agencies, the military establishment, NGOs, locals and victims need to collaborate to create a synergy in generating solutions that are tailored to the shock of the disaster in the first place.Research limitations/implicationsThe current study relies on a single case study approach as disaster scenarios are unique in terms of their impact, magnitude, timing and location. Despite these limitations, this study provides a detailed account of the logistical challenges in dealing with the disaster that took place in Haiti. The logistics-related lessons learned from this case study should be carefully applied in other settings, taken into consideration contextual differences.Practical implicationsOne important aspect of measuring efficiency for any commercial logistics system is key performance indicators (KPIs) that indicate how well the firm is doing in managing its inbound and outbound operations. From a practical standpoint, the Haiti case raised a challenging concern with regard to how to measure the performance of humanitarian disaster logistics. This is a starting point to understand the dynamics of disaster system efficiency and logistics interplay and offers a few lessons to improve the resource availability in the case of future emergencies.Originality/valueThis study lays the groundwork for future researchers to explore and debrief on the topic once disaster relief draws to a close and time has allowed logisticians and relief workers to analyze the response mechanisms used in disasters.

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

Evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on human rights: from sociolegal perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheshadri Chatterjee ◽  
Sreenivasulu N.S. ◽  
Zahid Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Government Agencies ◽  
Unique Contribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The Government ◽  
Unique Study ◽  
Rights Issues

Purpose The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in different sectors have become agendas for discussions in the highest circle of experts. The applications of AI can help society and can harm society even by jeopardizing human rights. The purpose of this study is to examine the evolution of AI and its impacts on human rights from social and legal perspectives. Design/methodology/approach With the help of studies of literature and different other AI and human rights-related reports, this study has taken an attempt to provide a comprehensive and executable framework to address these challenges contemplated to occur due to the increase in usage of different AI applications in the context of human rights. Findings This study finds out how different AI applications could help society and harm society. It also highlighted different legal issues and associated complexity arising due to the advancement of AI technology. Finally, the study also provided few recommendations to the governments, private enterprises and non-governmental organizations on the usage of different AI applications in their organizations. Research limitations/implications This study mostly deals with the legal, social and business-related issues arising due to the advancement of AI technology. The study does not penetrate the technological aspects and algorithms used in AI applications. Policymakers, government agencies and private entities, as well as practitioners could take the help of the recommendations provided in this study to formulate appropriate regulations to control the usage of AI technology and its applications. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive view of the emergence of AI technology and its implication on human rights. There are only a few studies that examine AI and related human rights issues from social, legal and business perspectives. Thus, this study is claimed to be a unique study. Also, this study provides valuable inputs to the government agencies, policymakers and practitioners about the need to formulate a comprehensive regulation to control the usage of AI technology which is also another unique contribution of this study.

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