Seye Babatunde, Richard Oloruntoba and Kingsley Agho
Enormous numbers of people suffer from the effects of disasters and humanitarian crises in Africa, including medical and healthcare emergencies. International response to the…
Abstract
Purpose
Enormous numbers of people suffer from the effects of disasters and humanitarian crises in Africa, including medical and healthcare emergencies. International response to the 2014–2016 Ebola pandemic in West Africa and COVID 19 pandemic vividly demonstrates the need for efficient and effective logistics and supply chain systems in bringing succor to impacted and vulnerable communities. This paper critically reviews the academic literature on logistics models for sourcing, delivery and distribution of medical and healthcare products for humanitarian emergencies in Africa from 1990 to 2018. The paper suggests areas for further research and proposes an effective logistics model useful for international and national humanitarian organizations as well as public health authorities in Africa and developing areas.
Design/methodology/approach
The viewpoint paper draws upon a structured comprehensive and critical review of the academic literature on logistics and supply chain management and a qualitative analysis of the literature in 13 leading academic databases covering over 5,550 articles.
Findings
The paper finds significant gaps in the body of logistics and supply chain management research on practical deployable logistics models for sourcing, delivery, and distribution of medical and healthcare products for humanitarian emergencies. The paper suggests a model worthy of consideration by humanitarian and disaster response stakeholders as well as public health authorities in developing countries.
Research limitations/implications
This is a critical literature review paper based on a comprehensive literature research and analysis for the period from 1990 to 2018 from which a viewpoint is formed.
Social implications
This paper advocates for further research on appropriate models of logistics for the sourcing, delivery and distribution of medical and healthcare products to enhance the basic human rights and dignity of vulnerable people in developing countries.
Originality/value
The paper contributes directly to policy on logistics, humanitarian aid, disaster management, public health and health security policy in the developing world including Africa.
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Richard Oloruntoba and Ruth Banomyong
This “thought paper” is written by the special issue editors as a part of the five papers accepted and published in response to the special issue call for papers on logistics and…
Abstract
Purpose
This “thought paper” is written by the special issue editors as a part of the five papers accepted and published in response to the special issue call for papers on logistics and SCM in the context of relief for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the special issue on “refugee logistics” and analyse the nature and challenges of displacement from a displaced person’s perspective. The paper also argues for a more critical appreciation of the role and value that research in logistics, operations and supply chain management (LOSCM) can play in the delivery of services and care for refugees and IDPs from the perspective of preparedness and logistics planning of humanitarian organisations. The paper further outlines basic challenges to undertaking innovative, boundary pushing valuable and impactful research on “refugee logistics” given the difficult ideological, political and policy context in which “refugee logistics research” will be undertaken. The paper also advocates for more critical research in humanitarian logistics (HL), that explicitly acknowledges its ontological, epistemological and methodological limitations even when ethically sound. The paper concludes by suggesting a future research agenda for this new sub-field of humanitarian logistics research.
Design/methodology/approach
Conceptual paper utilising viewpoints, literature reviews as well as original ideas and thoughts of the authors.
Findings
The new field of “refugee logistics research” is important. It has been neglected in humanitarian logistics research for too long. Hence, there needs to be more research in this sub-field of humanitarian logistics.
Research limitations/implications
This is a “thought paper”. It is the basic conceptual ideas of the authors. While it is not based on empirical work or data collection, it is based on a comprehensive literature research and analysis.
Social implications
This paper advocates for the universal human rights of IDPs and refugees and their dignity, and how LOSCM can contribute to upholding such dignity.
Originality/value
It contributes indirectly to logistics policy and refugee policy as well as logistics service quality and advocacy for human rights and human dignity.
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Shams Rahman, Kamrul Ahsan, Amrik Sohal and Richard Oloruntoba
Kizito Elijah Kanyoma, Frank Wogbe Agbola and Richard Oloruntoba
This paper investigates the inhibitors and enablers of supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers in the supply chains of manufacturing-based small and medium-sized…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper investigates the inhibitors and enablers of supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers in the supply chains of manufacturing-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a qualitative approach, data were collected through face-to-face interviews across three supply chains, each consisting of a focal manufacturer, a major supplier and a retailer.
Findings
The research identified interpersonal relationships, supplier cost transparency and joint supply chain management (SCM) investments as key enablers of SCI. Concerning the inhibitors of SCI, the study found that a lack of external integration inhibited internal integration by acting as a source of disruption to intra-firm processes and relationships. Further, the research found weaker links between manufacturer–-retailer dyads than in manufacturer–supplier dyads, which constrained the ability to achieve multi-tier supplier–manufacture–retailer integration. The study also revealed that resource and infrastructural deficiencies, a culture of fear and intimidation within and between firms, corruption in sourcing transactions and a lack of inter-firm trust inhibited SCI.
Research limitations/implications
The paper extends earlier evidence that internal integration is a prerequisite for external integration demonstrating that a basic level of external integration is necessary to prevent disruptions to internal integration.
Originality/value
This study is one of the few to go beyond the focal firm perspective and explore the inhibitors and enablers of SCI across multiple supply chain positions, and provides new evidence on the role of external integration in achieving internal integration.
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Kizito Elijah Kanyoma, Frank Wogbe Agbola and Richard Oloruntoba
The purpose of this paper is to explain the interrelationships in internal and external supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers of manufacturing-based small and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain the interrelationships in internal and external supply chain integration (SCI) across multiple tiers of manufacturing-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a developing country, Malawi.
Design/methodology/approach
Utilizing the resource-based view, resource-dependence and network theory perspectives, and drawing on a multiple embedded case-study approach, the research investigated the internal and external linkages within three-tier supplier, manufacturer and retailer SCs and described varying perspectives of SCI across supply chain positions.
Findings
Firms with strategic intra-firm resources were less committed to external integration, deploying their resources as a source of power to dominate and exploit their dependent partners. The SCI across multiple tiers was impaired by dependence but enhanced by interdependence strategies of firms. Although lack of trust, promotion of non-overlapping self-interests, corruption in sourcing processes and resource constraints negatively affected SCI, firm commitment to external integration promoted greater commitment among firms, thus having a positive effect on SCI.
Research limitations/implications
Further analysis of SCI of SME triads and a more systematic longitudinal analysis across other market segments should be explored to generalize the conclusions of this study.
Practical implications
The external influences on dyadic relationships go beyond the interactions of heterogeneous firms in the network to encompass interpersonal interactions across the network, where individuals may potentially prioritize personal connections and sabotage the interests of their firms.
Originality/value
The research explored the internal and external dimensions of SCI in multi-tier SCs of SMEs, and provided for the first time new evidence to show that firm commitment to engaging with partners complements the mechanisms of SCI within a developing country context. It highlights the need to develop trust, eliminate corruption, promote greater commitment of SC partners and encourage greater investment in firms’ resource capabilities to enhance SCI among SMEs.
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Mohita Gangwar Sharma, Roma Mitra Debnath, Richard Oloruntoba and Sachinder Mohan Sharma
Railway transport being a “service” is provided in a space and time dimension. Providing a better quality of service requires higher inputs, so evaluating the performance without…
Abstract
Purpose
Railway transport being a “service” is provided in a space and time dimension. Providing a better quality of service requires higher inputs, so evaluating the performance without these considerations would give a biased result. The purpose of this paper is to assess the performance of the rail transport service by including the service delivery perspective of railways and look at the holistic concept of service delivery. The quality of service parameters have been chosen within the constraints imposed by availability of data and the formulated data envelopment analysis (DEA). The quality of service parameters include: punctuality; the level of consequential train accidents (safety); and the level of public complaints (customer satisfaction). It evaluates the performance of 16 zones of Indian railways (IR) on the basis of their efficiencies and identifies the exemplar zones. The results deduced from these studies can serve as performance targets in reward systems, performance scorecards, and control systems.
Design/methodology/approach
DEA has been used as a benchmarking tool to evaluate the relative efficiency of the 16 zones. The input parameters are working expenses, number of employees, and equated track kilometers and the output parameters are loading of revenue, punctuality, passenger traffic kilometers, consequential train accidents, and public complaints. Malmquist index has been used to determine the temporal performance of each zone.
Findings
IR can use DEA to assess the performance of various zones and for improvement monitoring in the context of being a transport service provider. Inefficient zones can identify the parameters for improvement across the zones and along the time dimension. A huge working force for all the inefficient zones indicate over deployment of resources, which can be seen at the policy level. A redundancy for equated track kilometers indicates a non-optimum use of resources. Not giving enough importance to service quality could be one of the major findings of the inefficient zones.
Research limitations/implications
The scope of the quality of service variables assessed could not be enlarged in this study because of the limitation of the number of variables that can be chosen for a given number of decision-making units in the model. It is not always possible to compare each zone on an exactly equal basis as the work culture and challenges differ across zones, units, regions, and states which poses a limitation to the study.
Practical implications
The holistic evaluation of performance of IR by inclusion of the service parameters can have important implications for the industry. The choice, incorporation, and interpretation of the parameters of this study can be adopted for rail transportation industry. This also summarizes the essence of performance and quality of service in public rail transport sector.
Social implications
The global public transport sector, and the rail mode in particular faces the challenge of identifying, and using appropriate service quality indicators and financial parameters to ascertain the efficiency and effectiveness of the transport system, rather than considering financial parameters alone. The context of this study is IR which is an engine for the continued socio-economic development of India. The overarching constraint is that the inputs are already established. Within this socio-economic contextual framework the analysis has been done to have an efficient and effective public transport system.
Originality/value
This is the first study which incorporates the quality of service dimensions in performance measurement and benchmarking of the railway zones that make up a national railway system which is under public domain. Each of these characteristics offers its unique challenges and dimensions which makes the problem complex.
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Richard Oloruntoba and Richard Gray
The purpose of this paper is to explore, analyse and discuss the published concepts of “the customer” and “customer service” in the context of managing international emergency…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore, analyse and discuss the published concepts of “the customer” and “customer service” in the context of managing international emergency relief chains.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a literature‐based approach that extends concepts usually applied in a commercial context to the area of humanitarian aid and emergency relief chains in particular.
Findings
Based on the most common associations of the terms in the literature, the paper proposes adopting a customer and customer‐service perspective in managing international emergency relief chains. An understanding of the various perspectives of customers described in this paper provides a starting point in the development of emergency relief chains that can deliver customer service and satisfaction to all concerned.
Practical implications
As managers of emergency relief chains strive to improve the performance of their organizations and supply chains in a highly challenging environment, the paper provides a useful and enhanced understanding of the roles that the “customer” and “customer service” play in their operations strategies. Although it is sometimes assumed that all participants in emergency relief chains are highly co‐operative, this is often not the case. Therefore, the concept of “humanitarian competitive advantage” is also presented to enable a better practical focus for managers of emergency relief chains.
Originality/value
The paper is believed to be the first to apply the terms “customer” and “customer service” systematically in a humanitarian context and thereby propose a customer service perspective in emergency relief chains.
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Richard Oloruntoba and Richard Gray
The purpose of this article is to investigate the nature of the humanitarian aid supply chain and discuss the extent to which certain business supply chain concepts, particularly…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to investigate the nature of the humanitarian aid supply chain and discuss the extent to which certain business supply chain concepts, particularly supply chain agility, are relevant to humanitarian aid.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper identifies elements of good practice in conventional business supply chains and applies them to the humanitarian aid supply chain, making use of published practice‐based literature and web sites associated with humanitarian aid. Particular emphasis is placed on the concept of “agility” in supply chain management. A model of an agile supply chain for humanitarian aid is developed.
Findings
Humanitarian supply chains have similarities with business supply chains, but there are significant differences. Many humanitarian supply chains have a short and unstable existence with an inadequate link between emergency aid and longer‐term developmental aid. Unlike many business supply chains, typical emergency aid appeals assign inventory to a particular destination at the supply chain source.
Practical implications
This research note is a starting‐point for empirical studies to test the agile humanitarian supply chain model.
Originality/value
This paper seeks to integrate humanitarian aid practice with concepts in the academic supply chain literature. In particular, proposes that humanitarian donors need convincing of the value of supply chain processes.
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Richard Oloruntoba and Gyöngyi Kovács
This paper aims to provide a commentary and an overview of developments in the field of humanitarianism that could impact theoretical understanding of agility in humanitarian aid…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to provide a commentary and an overview of developments in the field of humanitarianism that could impact theoretical understanding of agility in humanitarian aid supply chains over the past decade.
Design/methodology/approach
Authors review papers published on agility in humanitarian aid supply chains from 2006 to 2015 in the four leading Emerald-published logistics and supply chain management journals. These are: Supply Chain Management: An International Journal (SCMIJ); International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management (IJPDLM); International Journal of Operations and Production Management (IJOPM); and Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management (JHLSCM). This paper presents an overview and update of developments that have the potential to influence current thinking and understanding about agility in humanitarian aid supply chains, and humanitarian aid supply chains in general.
Findings
Humanitarianism and the environment of Humanitarian organisations are evolving. Such evolution has potential impacts on theoretical discussions and understanding of agility in humanitarian aid supply chains and humanitarian aid supply chains in general.
Research limitations/implications
This is not a critical literature review but an overview. The paper is based on four logistics and supply chain management journals only. However, the paper is based on the work published over a decade.
Practical implications
Points scholars and practitioners to the impacts of Humanitarian Organisations using the relief-development continuum on supply chain design decisions including the pursuit of agility.
Social implications
It may be the time to consider the relief-development continuum in fresh light and its implications for agility in humanitarian aid supply chains.
Originality/value
This paper seems to be the first paper that highlights the influence of the relief-development continuum model on humanitarian aid supply chain design strategies.