Supply chain design and coordination in humanitarian logistics through clusters
Author
Summary, in English
Purpose of this paper:
The cluster thinking in the humanitarian world has been suggested as a solution to the lack
of coordinated disaster response in the past 10 years. Clusters on diverse functions
including sheltering, logistics and water sanitation can be viewed as an effort of functional
coordination, i.e. horizontal coordination within a functional area. The purpose of this
paper is to contribute to more understanding of the cluster concept’s potential effects for
vertical, i.e. supply chain coordination as well as coordination between clusters.
Design/methodology/approach:
The cluster concept and some main empirical issues are presented based on a set of
interviews and secondary materials. Literature on clusters and coordination is used to
develop a theoretical framework with propositions concerning what potentially negative
effects and increased focus on horizontal coordination may have for a supply chain
oriented approach.
Findings:
Results provide important reflections concerning one of the major trends in today’s
development of humanitarian logistics. Coordination in one dimension may have negative
impacts from other viewpoints.
Research limitations/implications
More in-depth case studies of experiences with clusters in various operations are needed.
Care should be taken in applying various perspectives including the field, humanitarian
organizations, beneficiaries, donors, private logistics service providers and during
(response) as well as between disasters (preparedness).
Practical implications:
Results provide important reflections concerning one of the major trends in today’s
development of humanitarian logistics.
What is original/value of paper?
Focusing on the possible trade-offs between different types of coordination is an important
complement to the literature which often assumes a high degree of both horizontal and
vertical coordination. This is a general challenge which is well illustrated in the
humanitarian context.
The cluster thinking in the humanitarian world has been suggested as a solution to the lack
of coordinated disaster response in the past 10 years. Clusters on diverse functions
including sheltering, logistics and water sanitation can be viewed as an effort of functional
coordination, i.e. horizontal coordination within a functional area. The purpose of this
paper is to contribute to more understanding of the cluster concept’s potential effects for
vertical, i.e. supply chain coordination as well as coordination between clusters.
Design/methodology/approach:
The cluster concept and some main empirical issues are presented based on a set of
interviews and secondary materials. Literature on clusters and coordination is used to
develop a theoretical framework with propositions concerning what potentially negative
effects and increased focus on horizontal coordination may have for a supply chain
oriented approach.
Findings:
Results provide important reflections concerning one of the major trends in today’s
development of humanitarian logistics. Coordination in one dimension may have negative
impacts from other viewpoints.
Research limitations/implications
More in-depth case studies of experiences with clusters in various operations are needed.
Care should be taken in applying various perspectives including the field, humanitarian
organizations, beneficiaries, donors, private logistics service providers and during
(response) as well as between disasters (preparedness).
Practical implications:
Results provide important reflections concerning one of the major trends in today’s
development of humanitarian logistics.
What is original/value of paper?
Focusing on the possible trade-offs between different types of coordination is an important
complement to the literature which often assumes a high degree of both horizontal and
vertical coordination. This is a general challenge which is well illustrated in the
humanitarian context.
Department/s
Publishing year
2009
Language
English
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Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Transport Systems and Logistics
Keywords
- humanitarian logistics
- disaster management
- Supply chain design
- coordination
- cluster.
Conference name
21th Annual NOFOMA Conference, 2009
Conference date
2009-06-11 - 2009-06-12
Conference place
Jönköping, Sweden
Status
Unpublished