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Defining and measuring the network flexibility of humanitarian supply chains: insights from the 2015 Nepal earthquake

Author

Listed:
  • Hossein Baharmand

    (University of Agder)

  • Tina Comes

    (University of Agder
    Delft University of Technology)

  • Matthieu Lauras

    (IMT Mines Albi- University of Toulouse)

Abstract

The efficient and effective response to disasters critically depends on humanitarian supply chains (HSCs). HSCs need to be flexible to adapt to uncertainties in needs, infrastructure conditions, and behavior of other organizations. The concept of ‘network flexibility’ is, however, not clearly defined. The lack of an unanimous definition has led to a lack of consistent understanding and comparisons. This paper makes a threefold contribution: first, it defines the concept of network flexibility for HSC in the context of sudden onset disasters. Second, it proposes a framework to measure network flexibility in HSCs. Third, we apply our framework to the 2015 Nepal earthquake case and provide evidence-based insights regarding how humanitarian organizations can improve network flexibility in HSCs. Our analyses for Nepal case show that delivery, IT support, and fleet criteria have the most influence on flexibility. Also, the application of our framework on the downstream network of nine humanitarian organizations shows low levels of network flexibility in all but one. This finding explains why several disruptions happened in relief distributions during the Nepal response.

Suggested Citation

  • Hossein Baharmand & Tina Comes & Matthieu Lauras, 2019. "Defining and measuring the network flexibility of humanitarian supply chains: insights from the 2015 Nepal earthquake," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 283(1), pages 961-1000, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:annopr:v:283:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1007_s10479-017-2713-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10479-017-2713-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Serap Ergün & Pınar Usta & Sırma Zeynep Alparslan Gök & Gerhard Wilhelm Weber, 2023. "A game theoretical approach to emergency logistics planning in natural disasters," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 324(1), pages 855-868, May.
    4. Sachin Modgil & Rohit Kumar Singh & Cyril Foropon, 2022. "Quality management in humanitarian operations and disaster relief management: a review and future research directions," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 319(1), pages 1045-1098, December.
    5. K. Katsaliaki & P. Galetsi & S. Kumar, 2022. "Supply chain disruptions and resilience: a major review and future research agenda," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 319(1), pages 965-1002, December.
    6. Mojtaba Salem & Niels Van Quaquebeke & Maria Besiou, 2022. "Aid worker adaptability in humanitarian operations: Interplay of prosocial motivation and authoritarian leadership," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(11), pages 3982-4001, November.

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