scholarly journals Designing Sustainable Humanitarian Supply Chains

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen S.Y. CHEN
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainable Operations ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Humanitarian Operations ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

This is a multidisciplinary study on operationalizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in humanitarian operations through supply chain management methods. It is motivated by the belief that for SDGs to be pursued in humanitarian operations, they need to be contextualized in the idiosyncratic settings and approached systematically. Towards this end, this paper develops and operationalizes a strategic sustainable humanitarian supply chain framework using the design science approach. The study starts with analyzing the humanitarian operations characteristics and identifying the critical supply chain capabilities required for sustainable operations. It then re-conceptualizes sustainability in the humanitarian context and proposes a formula of sustainability performance in humanitarian operations. After that, the humanitarian supply chain structural components are delineated and decomposed into operational elements in order to identify the configurations that lead to optimal sustainability performance. The findings then converge into a framework to enable the identification of context-contingent sustainable supply chain strategies in humanitarian operations. This paper makes three contributions to SDG research: 1) it contextualizes sustainability in the humanitarian setting through postulating the concept and formula of net sustainability value as the single bottom line in humanitarian operations; 2) it increases operationality of SDGs in the humanitarian sector through the design of a strategic framework for sustainable humanitarian supply chains; and 3) it increases the interdisciplinarity of SDG research by using a generic supply chain framework that can be applied to integrate multilevel multidisciplinary sustainability studies.

Measuring humanitarian supply chain performance in a multi-goal context

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 300-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ira Haavisto ◽  
Jarrod Goentzel
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Supply Chain Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Humanitarian Operations ◽  
Setting Theory ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to deepen the understanding of supply chain performance objectives in the humanitarian context by striving to understand the underlying goals and conceptual variables behind the measurement of performance, such as efficiency. Design/methodology/approach – The research is an in-depth case study with one humanitarian organization. The data are gathered with mixed methods over a two-year period. Interviews were conducted in August 2010 and April 2012, and a survey conducted in October 2012. Findings – Misalignments are detected among different groups in humanitarian operations and between their goals and processes. These misalignments could possibly be corrected through long-term thinking in short-term operations by considering sustainability aspects throughout humanitarian assistance, for example. In addition, efficiency was a commonly identified objective in the case organization, although the definition varied widely and extended beyond the traditional definition of productivity to include planning, accountability and quality. Practical implications – Better communication and definition of terms is necessary to align goals and the power hierarchy in humanitarian supply chains, where operations seem to be structured more according to donor requirements then beneficiary needs. Originality/value – This is an in-depth case study, applying goal-setting theory to study supply chain performance. The study further responds to the public “aid efficiency” discussion by striving to recognize how efficiency is understood and how it can be measured in a humanitarian supply chain.

scholarly journals Humanitarian supply chain performance management: a systematic literature review

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 592-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hella Abidi ◽  
Sander de Leeuw ◽  
Matthias Klumpp
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Performance Management ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
The State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

Purpose – This paper aims to identify the state of the art of performance measurement and management in humanitarian supply chains; to categorize performance measurement indicators in the five supply chain phases of Gunasekaran and Kobu (2007) and evaluate them based on the evaluation criteria of Caplice and Sheffi (1995); and to define gaps and challenges in this field and give insights for future research in this domain. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review has been conducted using a structured method based on Denyer and Tranfield (2009) and Rousseau et al. (2008). The state of the art on humanitarian supply chain performance management with a focus on measurement frameworks and indicators and their applications in practice is classified in three categories. The first category is the definition and measurement of success in humanitarian supply chains. The second category is managing performance, which focuses on describing and analyzing the actual practice of managing performance. The third category shows the challenges in performance management that humanitarian supply chain actors deal with. Findings – Findings reveal that performance measurement and management in humanitarian supply chains is still an open area of research, especially compared to the commercial supply chain sector. Furthermore, the research indicates that performance measurement and management in humanitarian supply chains has to be developed in support of the supply chain strategy. Based on the findings of the literature review on performance measurement and management in the commercial and humanitarian field, a first classification of 94 performance measurement indicators in humanitarian supply chains is presented. Furthermore, the paper shows key problems why performance measurement and management systems have not been widely developed and systematically implemented in humanitarian supply chains and are not part of the supply chain strategy. The authors propose performance measurement guidelines that include input and output criteria. They develop a research agenda that focuses on four research questions for designing, deploying and disseminating performance measurement and management in humanitarian supply chains. Practical implications – The result helps the humanitarian supply chain community to conduct further research in this area and to develop performance measurement frameworks and indicators that suit humanitarian supply chains. Originality/value – It is the first systematic approach to categorize research output regarding performance measurement and management in humanitarian supply chains. The paper shows the state of the art in performance measurement and management in humanitarian supply chains and develops a research agenda.

scholarly journals Putting sustainability into supply chain management

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 322-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Beske ◽  
Stefan Seuring
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Key Aspects

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify key categories of Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) and related practices that are required to fulfill the demands of sustainability and, therefore, contributing to sustainability performance. As part of this, the authors will identify different approaches in practice implementation in SSCM and supply chain management (SCM). SSCM has become a topic of great interest and is linked to the assumption that a more sustainable performance for businesses would be achieved on its implementation. Such performance has to be achieved with respect to all three dimensions of sustainability. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is conceptual in nature. The authors draw from literature on SSCM and examine frameworks and critical accounts on the topic. This allows identifying key aspects of SSCM and pointing out differences and overlaps with SCM. Findings – The authors identify five key categories which are of high importance for the sustainable management of supply chains: orientation toward SCM and sustainability, continuity, collaboration, risk management and proactivity. In a second step, the authors describe distinctive practices which allow organizations to follow the goals formulated in the five key categories. Finally, they highlight issues preventing companies that follow a rather “conventional” approach to SCM to reach the level where it can be called SSCM, i.e. how to reach sustainability performance in SCM. Research limitations/implications – The work presented is conceptual in nature. It would be required to operationalize respective categories and, therefore, test them in empirical research. Practical implications – The categories and practices identified within the framework can be used for guiding managers toward the implementation of SSCM. This is the case when management takes performance implication into account without solely considering rather simplistic indicators. At the same time, differentiating a company based on the implementation of sustainability practices has become more difficult, due to the proliferation of sustainability in a wider field. Social implications – Social aspects are integrated into the framework on the same level as environmental and economic aspects, emphasizing the triple bottom line orientation. Originality/value – While all practices applied in SSCM have originally been identified and described by researchers for the case of “conventional” SCM, their particular interrelation and joint implementation makes up SSCM and ensures a contribution to sustainability performance.

scholarly journals Creating Competitive Advantage through Sustainable Supply Chains: A Theoretical Framework for the Assessment of Practices, Dynamic Capabilities, and Enterprise Performance of Manufacturing Firms

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 7863-7875
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Dynamic Capabilities ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain Management

The continuous enhancement and network complexity of Global supply Chains (G-SC)are accentuating the need of incorporating social, economic and ecological dimension (Also known as Triple- Bottom Line (TBL)) in strategic planning. Therefore, the blending business aims with Sustainable Supply Chain Management (S-SCM) practices and dynamic capabilities has steadily increased in improving the firm’s performance. In this paper an attempt is made to conceptualize a scale for measuring the Sustainable- supply chain management (S-SCM) practices, development of sustainable capabilities of manufacturing firms while evaluating the performance of the organization on TBL. Based on systematic review, the researchersh as identified five major determinants of S-SCM practices, namely Supply-Chain Coordination & Trust (S-CCT); Supply-Chain Learning (S-CL); Supply-Chain Continuity(S-CC); Supply-Chain Orientation(S-CO) and Supply -Chain Risk Management(S-CRM) and further additional five determinants were identified as Supply-Chain Dynamic Capabilities (S-CDC): Knowledge generation and absorptive capacity of the firm (KG-AC);Demand-0rientation(D-O), Innovative-Ability(I-A), Renovation Ability(R-A) and Social Network enhancement-Ability (SNE-A).Further three determinants of S-SCM performance namely Environmental-Performance (E-P); Social-Performance (S-P) and Economic- Performance(E-P) are identified. In order to collect data from 172 automobile and electronic goods companies in India, a research survey was being carried out. The SEM measurement and Structural Model Analysis was carried to find the association between the three determinants. The result of the analysis makes a significant contribution to SCM literature. The research outcomes of this research aim to enable practitioners to design execute and monitor the different elements of S-SCMfirm level activities, its dynamic capabilities and assess the effect of these activities on the firms’ operational efficiency.

Big data and predictive analytics in humanitarian supply chains

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 485-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rameshwar Dubey ◽  
Zongwei Luo ◽  
Angappa Gunasekaran ◽  
Shahriar Akter ◽  
Benjamin T. Hazen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Predictive Analytics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Swift Trust ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand how big data and predictive analytics (BDPA), as an organizational capability, can improve both visibility and coordination in humanitarian supply chains.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conceptualize a research model grounded in contingent resource-based view where the authors propose that BDPA capabilities affect visibility and coordination under the moderating effect of swift trust. Using ordinary least squares regression, the authors test the hypotheses using survey data collected from informants at 205 international non-government organizations.FindingsThe results indicate that BDPA has a significant influence on visibility and coordination. Further, the results suggest that swift trust does not have an amplifying effect on the relationships between BDPA and visibility and coordination. However, the mediation test suggests that swift trust acts as a mediating construct. Hence, the authors argue that swift trust is not the condition for improving coordination among the actors in humanitarian supply chains.Research limitations/implicationsThe major limitation of the study is that the authors have used cross-sectional survey data to test the research hypotheses. Following Guide and Ketokivi (2015), the authors present arguments on how to address the limitations of cross-sectional data or use of longitudinal data that can address common method bias or endogeneity-related problems.Practical implicationsManagers can use this framework to understand: first, how organizational resources can be used to create BDPA, and second, how BDPA can help build swift trust and be used to improve visibility and coordination in the humanitarian supply chain.Originality/valueThis is the first research that has empirically tested the anecdotal and conceptual evidence. The findings make notable contributions to existing humanitarian supply chain literature and may be useful to managers who are contemplating the use of BDPA to improve disaster-relief-related activities.

The Humanitarian Supply Chain Assessment Tool (HumSCAT)

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-249
Author(s):  
Ruth Banomyong ◽  
Puthipong Julagasigorn ◽  
Paitoon Varadejsatitwong ◽  
Pairach Piboonrungroj
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Preparation Phase ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

Purpose An understanding of the “AS-IS” stage of a relief operation is the basis for further action in humanitarian supply chain management. The purpose of this paper is to develop a toolbox called the Humanitarian Supply Chain Assessment Tool (HumSCAT). This toolbox is comprised of a set of basic tools which can be classified into each phase of disaster relief. Design/methodology/approach The HumSCAT is proposed by paralleling frequently used tools in commercial supply chains with the objectives and characteristics of relief phases. A case study was used to validate the HumSCAT along with six tools provided in the preparation phase. Findings The HumSCAT consists of seven tools in the preparation phase, nine tools in the response phase and ten tools in the recovery phase. The case study illustrates how to use the HumSCAT and the six tools. The latter were found to be useful for improving the relief chain. Research limitations/implications The list of tools is not exclusive. Other tools might be applicable as long as they meet the objectives and characteristics of the phase. A tool should be adjusted accordingly to the contexts. Tools in other phases should be validated in future research. Practical implications The HumSCAT may serve as a reference toolbox for practitioners. Its output can be used for further designing of the “TO-BE” status of humanitarian relief chains. Originality/value The HumSCAT is proposed as a toolbox for academics and practitioners involved in humanitarian supply chains.

The potential role of philanthropy in humanitarian supply chains delivery: the case of Thailand

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Banomyong ◽  
Puthipong Julagasigorn
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Multinational Firm ◽  
Supply Chain Collaboration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Strategic Philanthropy ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework on how strategic philanthropy can be included in humanitarian supply chains delivery. This framework explains the modalities where strategic philanthropy can be successful when collaborating with key humanitarian supply chain actors. Design/methodology/approach A philanthropy delivery framework is developed based on the literature related to strategic philanthropy and humanitarian supply chains. The delivery framework is further validated with the real-life case study of a multinational firm during the 2011 Thai floods. Findings Procter and Gamble (P&G) was involved in the Thailand flood 2011 relief efforts in three phases: preparation, immediate response, and reconstruction phase. The company supported and distributed a water purifier through a non-governmental relief agency, the Princess Pa Foundation, under the Thai Red Cross Society, that enabled P&G to not only gain the trust of the targeted community during all the phases but in the continued usage of their water purifier after the event. Community leaders and P&G’s modern trade retailers played an important role in collaborating in this humanitarian supply chain to enable the successful delivery and usage of the donated water purifier. Research limitations/implications This proposed delivery framework is appropriate for in-kind products and services philanthropy. The case study describes how strategic philanthropy can be implemented in a specific case, i.e. flood disaster. Practical implications Academia, practitioners, and companies who are involved in humanitarian reliefs may adopt and adapt this framework in order to enable a win-win situation for all stakeholders in the humanitarian supply chain. Originality/value The delivery framework suggests that firms can develop successful strategic philanthropy through systematic humanitarian supply chain collaboration. It explains how a company can operate its philanthropic programs through collaboration with others as well as describes how these different actors can work together.

Squaring the circle

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanne Grosvold ◽  
Stefan U. Hoejmose ◽  
Jens K. Roehrich
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain Management ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Tightly Coupled

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships between management, measurement and performance of sustainability in supply chains. The authors develop a framework which explores these links through decoupling as articulated by the institutional theory. They draw on a conceptual continuum of reactive-proactive sustainable supply chain practices and identify clusters of companies along these dimensions and evaluate the theoretical and managerial implications of this for sustainability performance. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses primary and secondary datasets from 12 inductive, multiple case studies across different industries. This method ensures that we are better able to encapsulate a broader and more diverse set of practices and settings which in turn adds robustness to the theory we induced from our findings. Findings – The authors find varying degrees of alignment between management practices and measurement systems of sustainable supply chains. Some firms better align their sustainable supply chain management and measurement practices than others, resulting in tighter coupling and ultimately improved sustainability performance in the supply chain. Research limitations/implications – Further research may explore the conditions under which firms decouple their practices and the contextual settings that are associated with decoupling, loosely and tightly coupled alignment. Additionally, the conceptual framework should be tested across countries, industries and different relationships between public and private organisations. Originality/value – This is one of the first empirical explorations of the decoupling theory and the reactive-proactive continuum in sustainable supply chain management.

Measuring and managing sustainability performance of supply chains

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Schaltegger ◽  
Roger Burritt
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Sustainable Supply Chain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Management Approaches ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss what a fully sustainable supply chain might look like and the consequences that can be drawn from this view. Also, it develops a practical approach towards sustainability supply chain performance measurement and management. The paper develops an analytical framework for the assessment of approaches for the measurement and management of sustainability performance of supply chains (SPSCs). Little research has been conducted on the issues, existing methods and possible approaches to measure and manage SPSCs. Design/methodology/approach – Literature review and conceptual development of framework. Findings – The paper develops an analytical framework for the assessment of approaches for the measurement and management of SPSCs. Existing approaches discussed in the vein of improving supply chains and increasing recycling are examined in the light of our framework, and areas to extend the research on sustainability performance measurement and management are identified. Research limitations/implications – Opportunities for extension of research on sustainability performance measurement and management of supply chains are identified. Practical implications – The framework offers help to managers in their choice of sustainability performance measurement and management approaches. Originality/value – The paper provides a structured overview of sustainability performance measurement and management literature and approaches to supply chain management. The framework proposed provides a foundation for further research.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Blockchain in overcoming barriers in Humanitarian Supply Chain

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 2228-2235
Author(s):  
Hrishikesh Palande, Dr. Shilpa Parkhi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Independent Contractors ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chains ◽  
Global Institutions ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Environmental Causes ◽  
Humanitarian Supply Chain

In the era of Industry 4.0 many new technologies are emerging and changing the status quo in many industries and sectors. On the other hand, people around the world are grappling with serious humanitarian issues of hunger, poor infrastructure effecting housing, education, healthcare. These problems are a result of complex causes ranging from natural disasters, environmental causes and human enforced causes such as ill governance, terrorism and forceable displacement of population belonging to certain communities. To address the humanitarian crisis global institutions are tirelessly working to assuage the suffering of people in crisis. Back bone of such initiatives is the Humanitarian Supply Chains which are often a complex linkage of Global non-profit organizations, private players, independent contractors, and local volunteers This paper aims at identifying the areas in humanitarian supply chain which can be improved by implementation of Blockchain technology. Barriers to humanitarian supply chains are identified from the extensive literature review. Using the responses received from experts in Humanitarian Supply Chains and Blockchain, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted giving us 4 factors in the context of Blockchain Implementation.

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