Assessment Of Humanitarian Logistics Coordination Practice, Roles And Performance The Case Of ERCS
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Date
2019-06
Authors
Taye, Wasihun
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Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
As a result of the dramatic increase in natural and man-made disaster losses, humanitarian practitioners and academicians are seeking effective and efficient means of minimizing the tremendous losses. Although various theoretical underpinnings are beneficial to understand the importance of supply chain in a humanitarian context, the management of logistics coordination mechanism along the humanitarian supply chain has yet to be explored. This study seeks to examine the antecedents and outcomes of coordination in logistics management to mitigate the coordination challenges and enhance humanitarian logistics performance. In particular, the factors (resource sharing, information sharing and organizational relationship) are identified to evaluate their causal relationship of coordination mechanism initiatives that are presumed to influence humanitarian logistics performance concerting the moderating role of relief environmental uncertainty. Drawing on social network theory, the resource based theory and relief coordination theory, a conceptual model was developed and tested using 56 respondents working in ERCS. Based on the research finding it was recommended that ERCS to consider: mechanisms of assurance of funding by implementing partnership preconditions with donors and other stakeholders, increase the amount exchange of information with partners, improved specialization in HL management and cross-cutting tasks and forge long term collaboration and partnership with other actors to enhance performance of logistics coordination. In addition ERCS needs to establish appropriate policy, procedures and mechanisms to facilitate logistical coordination by forming strategic relationship with other actors, align logistics capability and devise ways to ensure sufficiency of donors funding for logistics infrastructure, capabilities and long term disaster preparedness. It is also stipulated that ERCS design improved standardization of operations and common guidelines and/or service requirements, invest in logistics expertise and knowledge management practice by employing continuous improvement mechanisms towards logistics coordination optimization and enhanced HL performance
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Keywords
humanitarian logistics., humanitarian logistics coordination, humanitarian logistics performance