Framework to manage humanitarian logistics in disaster relief supply chain management in India

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the issues and challenges in humanitarian logistics and to develop a framework for effectively managing the humanitarian logistics in disaster relief supply chain operations in India.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a framework to manage humanitarian logistics effectively in disaster management through qualitative analysis. First, the author examines the challenges facing the humanitarian logistics and supply chain through the reviews of the literature on various disasters. Then, the author presented a framework based on the best practices and initiatives taken worldwide in the preparedness and response stage of the humanitarian supply chain to manage and reduce the aftermath of any disaster in context to India.FindingsA framework has been developed to manage humanitarian logistics in the disaster relief operation, which would improve the humanitarian supply chain in India and help to effectively manage natural disasters in the preparedness and response stage at the state and district levels.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper mainly emphasises on the preparedness and response stage of disaster supply chain management in Indian context.Practical implicationsNone of the disaster incidents can be stopped from taking place, but the impact can be minimised by proper preparedness and effective response during the operations of humanitarian logistics. With this hope, the framework has been developed, which if implemented would help to plan and manage any disaster incident in an effective manner, which ultimately would save millions of lives and cost in terms of infrastructure, property, assets etc.Originality/valueAs natural disaster incidents are occurring frequently in Indian states, there is an urgent need for a framework to manage the logistics operations effectively and efficiently during any disaster relief operations. Limited literature is found on developing and presenting a framework focusing on the preparedness and response phase of disaster supply chain management in context to India. Hence, this paper is believed to be the first to fulfil this gap with main emphasis on the preparedness and response stage of disaster supply chain management in Indian scenario.

Designing a Structural Equation Model for Creative Leadership in the Relief Supply Chain in Isfahan Hospitals

INTRODUCTION: Despite the fact that natural disasters are on the rise in Iran, no study has yet explained the performance indicators in the relief supply chain in crisis situations. Creative leadership in the relief supply chain can be of great help to the enhancement of internal strengths, provision of creative solutions to potential threats, and maintenance and promotion of public health. The present study aimed to provide a Structural equation model of creative hospital leadership. METHODS: The present exploratory research was conducted on 215 cases that were selected as the sample size using Cochranchr('39')s formula. The data collection tool was a standard questionnaire which was completed by managers, supervisors, and experts of hospitals in Isfahan province. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was assessed using SPSS software based on Cronbachchr('39')s alpha test, which indicated the high reliability of the research tool. FINDINGS: A hierarchical structure was established using DEMATEL software, which is a variety of decision-making methods based on pairwise comparisons, and benefiting from expert opinion in extracting the factors of a system and their systematical structuring based on the principles of graph theory. CONCLUSION: Finally, the effectiveness and affectability of the components were expressed as the output of DEMATEL software in a way that their interaction effect was denoted as numerical values. Thereafter, the data were analyzed in linear structural relations (LISREL) software using structural equation modeling, and the creative leadership model was designed.

Inventory relief chain model with deterioration and disposal of relief commodity

Our environment can be hit by disasters such as earthquake, flood, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc., and if any happens, organizations (private or government) start to provide facilities for evacuation and supply of relief commodities in the affected regions. This paper formulates an inventory-relief-chain (IRC) model with the relief supply chain for the relief commodity distribution. The results of the model provide the optimal number of intermediate distribution and relief centers. However, in the study, every center is considered to distribute relief commodities. The model is formulated with a core objective to optimize the total cost of the relief operation. An algorithm is proposed to find the optimal solution of the model. Furthermore, a numerical analysis is carried out on a numerical example to validate the efficiency of the algorithm. The sensitivity analysis is done over the optimal solution and the respective parameters of the model, at the same time representing the strength of the model,i.e., the extent these parameters are sensitive to the objective. The model can help relief organizations when managing relief supplies to the disaster areas.