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The optimal assignment of spontaneous volunteers

Author

Listed:
  • Maria E. Mayorga

    (North Carolina State University)

  • Emmett J. Lodree

    (University of Alabama)

  • Justin Wolczynski

    (North Carolina State University)

Abstract

Spontaneous volunteers are ordinary citizens who assist in disaster relief efforts, while they are a great resource they also pose a difficult logistical challenge. Unlike classical labor assignment problems, the management of these volunteers is characterized by uncertainty regarding the size, availability, and commitment of the labor pool. We model this problem as a multi-server queueing system with both stochastic server arrival and abandonment. This model is intended to be applied to the relatively stable work associated with recovery efforts, e.g., debris clearing. We model this system as a continuous time Markov decision process and compare the optimal policy to several common-sense heuristics; one of which performs close to optimal and makes a practical alternative. We conduct extensive sensitivity analysis around model parameters and assumptions.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria E. Mayorga & Emmett J. Lodree & Justin Wolczynski, 2017. "The optimal assignment of spontaneous volunteers," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 68(9), pages 1106-1116, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jorsoc:v:68:y:2017:i:9:d:10.1057_s41274-017-0219-2
    DOI: 10.1057/s41274-017-0219-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Gabriel Zayas‐Cabán & Emmett J. Lodree & David L. Kaufman, 2020. "Optimal Control of Parallel Queues for Managing Volunteer Convergence," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(10), pages 2268-2288, October.
    2. Abualkhair, Hussain & Lodree, Emmett J. & Davis, Lauren B., 2020. "Managing volunteer convergence at disaster relief centers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    3. Wang, Qingyi & Reed, Ashley & Nie, Xiaofeng, 2022. "Joint initial dispatching of official responders and registered volunteers during catastrophic mass-casualty incidents," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    4. Sperling, Martina & Schryen, Guido, 2022. "Decision support for disaster relief: Coordinating spontaneous volunteers," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 299(2), pages 690-705.
    5. Emmett J. Lodree & Nezih Altay & Robert A. Cook, 2019. "Staff assignment policies for a mass casualty event queuing network," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 283(1), pages 411-442, December.
    6. Kaur, Milan Preet & Smith, Safron & Pazour, Jennifer A. & Duque Schumacher, Ana, 2022. "Optimization of volunteer task assignments to improve volunteer retention and nonprofit organizational performance," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    7. Paret, Kyle E. & Mayorga, Maria E. & Lodree, Emmett J., 2021. "Assigning spontaneous volunteers to relief efforts under uncertainty in task demand and volunteer availability," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    8. Escallon-Barrios, Mariana & Noham, Reut & Smilowitz, Karen, 2024. "Dual mode scheduling in volunteer management," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

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