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Defining logistics preparedness : a framework and research agenda

Jahre, Marianne LU ; Pazirandeh, Ala LU and Van Wassenhove, Luk (2016) In Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management 6(3). p.372-398
Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a more complete understanding of logistics preparedness. By comparing extant research in preparedness and logistics with findings from empirical analysis of secondary data, the authors develop a definition of and framework for logistics preparedness, along with suggestions for future research agenda. Design/methodology/approach: The authors link the way in which humanitarian organizations define and aim to achieve logistics preparedness with extant academic research. The authors critically analyze public data from 13 organizations that are active in disaster relief and review papers on logistics preparedness and humanitarian logistics. Findings: The authors found that, despite the... (More)

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a more complete understanding of logistics preparedness. By comparing extant research in preparedness and logistics with findings from empirical analysis of secondary data, the authors develop a definition of and framework for logistics preparedness, along with suggestions for future research agenda. Design/methodology/approach: The authors link the way in which humanitarian organizations define and aim to achieve logistics preparedness with extant academic research. The authors critically analyze public data from 13 organizations that are active in disaster relief and review papers on logistics preparedness and humanitarian logistics. Findings: The authors found that, despite the increased attention, there is no unified understanding across organizations about what constitutes logistics preparedness and how it can contribute to improvements in operations. Based on the review of the academic literature, the authors found that the same is true for humanitarian logistics research. The lack of a common understanding has resulted in low visibility of efforts and lack of knowledge on logistics preparedness. Research limitations/implications: On the basis of extant research and practice, the authors suggest a definition of and framework for logistics preparedness with related suggestions for future studies. Practical implications: Findings can help the humanitarian community gain a better understanding of their efforts related to developing logistics preparedness and can provide a better basis for communicating the need for, and results from, funding in preparedness. Social implications: Results can support improvements in humanitarian supply chains, thereby providing affected people with rapid, cost-efficient, and better-adapted responses. Originality/value: The findings contribute to humanitarian logistics literature, first by identifying the issues related to the lack of a common definition. Second, the authors extend the understanding of what constitutes logistics preparedness by proposing an operationalized framework and definition. Finally, the authors add to the literature by discussing what future topics and types of research may be required.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Disaster relief, Emergency preparedness, Framework, Humanitarian, Logistics preparedness
in
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
volume
6
issue
3
pages
27 pages
publisher
Emerald Group Publishing Limited
external identifiers
  • wos:000392176500006
  • scopus:85002590963
ISSN
2042-6747
DOI
10.1108/JHLSCM-04-2016-0012
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
44a2914b-ddb8-4de8-9141-1088a1cfe348
date added to LUP
2017-02-22 10:29:45
date last changed
2024-01-28 12:41:20
@article{44a2914b-ddb8-4de8-9141-1088a1cfe348,
  abstract     = {{<p>Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a more complete understanding of logistics preparedness. By comparing extant research in preparedness and logistics with findings from empirical analysis of secondary data, the authors develop a definition of and framework for logistics preparedness, along with suggestions for future research agenda. Design/methodology/approach: The authors link the way in which humanitarian organizations define and aim to achieve logistics preparedness with extant academic research. The authors critically analyze public data from 13 organizations that are active in disaster relief and review papers on logistics preparedness and humanitarian logistics. Findings: The authors found that, despite the increased attention, there is no unified understanding across organizations about what constitutes logistics preparedness and how it can contribute to improvements in operations. Based on the review of the academic literature, the authors found that the same is true for humanitarian logistics research. The lack of a common understanding has resulted in low visibility of efforts and lack of knowledge on logistics preparedness. Research limitations/implications: On the basis of extant research and practice, the authors suggest a definition of and framework for logistics preparedness with related suggestions for future studies. Practical implications: Findings can help the humanitarian community gain a better understanding of their efforts related to developing logistics preparedness and can provide a better basis for communicating the need for, and results from, funding in preparedness. Social implications: Results can support improvements in humanitarian supply chains, thereby providing affected people with rapid, cost-efficient, and better-adapted responses. Originality/value: The findings contribute to humanitarian logistics literature, first by identifying the issues related to the lack of a common definition. Second, the authors extend the understanding of what constitutes logistics preparedness by proposing an operationalized framework and definition. Finally, the authors add to the literature by discussing what future topics and types of research may be required.</p>}},
  author       = {{Jahre, Marianne and Pazirandeh, Ala and Van Wassenhove, Luk}},
  issn         = {{2042-6747}},
  keywords     = {{Disaster relief; Emergency preparedness; Framework; Humanitarian; Logistics preparedness}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{372--398}},
  publisher    = {{Emerald Group Publishing Limited}},
  series       = {{Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management}},
  title        = {{Defining logistics preparedness : a framework and research agenda}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-04-2016-0012}},
  doi          = {{10.1108/JHLSCM-04-2016-0012}},
  volume       = {{6}},
  year         = {{2016}},
}