Localization of Humanitarian Logistics : Moving from Strategic Intent to Implementation
(2025)- Abstract
- The international humanitarian system has, since the 19th century, been activated during large-scale disasters when the capacities of the affected countries are overwhelmed. It comprises international humanitarian organizations (IHOs) and is funded by a variety of donors. Recently, this system has faced increasing criticism, mainly because of its failure to empower and include local and national actors (LNAs). LNAs should have the legitimacy to control disaster response, and they often play a vital role within their own countries. However, within the current system, they often function as subcontractors without decision-making authority over resources. Localization aims to address these shortcomings by making aid more locally led. This is... (More)
- The international humanitarian system has, since the 19th century, been activated during large-scale disasters when the capacities of the affected countries are overwhelmed. It comprises international humanitarian organizations (IHOs) and is funded by a variety of donors. Recently, this system has faced increasing criticism, mainly because of its failure to empower and include local and national actors (LNAs). LNAs should have the legitimacy to control disaster response, and they often play a vital role within their own countries. However, within the current system, they often function as subcontractors without decision-making authority over resources. Localization aims to address these shortcomings by making aid more locally led. This is seen as “the right thing to do” through rebalancing power and as a way to make humanitarian assistance more efficient, effective, sustainable, and culturally sensitive. Although localization is not new, it has gained momentum over the past decade through various initiatives. Localization encompasses all aspects of humanitarian assistance. This doctoral thesis focuses on humanitarian logistics, which involves managing goods, services, and related information through supply chains. Since logistics account for up to 80% of humanitarian aid costs, localizing logistics would significantly shift responsibility to national and local actors. Progress on the localization agenda has been slow, and several challenges still persist. There is little agreement within the system on what localization actually means. Different interpretations lead IHOs to strengthen their own local offices instead of external actors who are more locally embedded and aligned with local norms and values. IHOs are influenced by external pressures that push them away from localization. Localization also encounters country-specific contextual challenges that require adjustments. This thesis addresses these issues primarily from the perspective of IHOs, as their role is crucial for advancing the localization agenda. The aim is to explore and explain the concept of localization of humanitarian logistics from a top-down perspective, focusing on the path from strategic intent to implementation. This objective is achieved through three qualitative studies. The first is an interview study, the second is an expert elicitation study, and the third is a case study. Together, the three studies offer different perspectives and nuances on localization in humanitarian logistics. The findings reveal that actors within the humanitarian system perceive localization in three main ways, which hinder the development of a clear strategic plan. The studies also highlight several challenges to localization. These include reasons for IHOs to either centralize or decentralize, instead of localizing. The thesis further suggests measures to address several of these challenges. Above all, the humanitarian system needs greater unity to tackle issues that span the system as a whole. Individual IHOs can also develop new strategies for internal organization. This thesis is the first to examine the localization of humanitarian logistics, making significant contributions to research and practice. Most importantly, it enhances the understanding of localization and its complexity by clarifying what localization involves, why its implementation has been slow, and what solutions may help overcome current barriers. Other theoretical contributions to humanitarian logistics include updating the definition of humanitarian logistics, challenging the assumptions of IHOs as the primary decision-makers and implementers, and reconceptualizing the role of IHOs in this context. The thesis also adds to paradox theory by engaging a growing research stream that distinguishes between interorganizational and intraorganizational tensions in supply chain studies. Practically, the thesis can help stakeholders build a shared vision of localization and help IHOs understand the forces pushing them in different directions. Furthermore, it offers pathways for IHOs by proposing a roadmap, responses to tensions, and a concrete example of how localization can be achieved. Societally, understanding localization deepens the comprehension of the humanitarian system, which is shaped not only by aid objectives but also by global forces and broader mandates. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/5d508155-ff55-450a-8709-e5a7f83eba7f
- author
- Frennesson, Lina LU
- supervisor
-
- Joakim Kembro LU
- Marianne Jahre LU
- opponent
-
- Dr. Stumpf, Jonas, Kühne Logistics University, Germany.
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Thesis
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Localization, Humanitarian logistics, Humanitarian supply chains, Preparedness, Paradox theory, The international humanitarian system, Locally led, Logistics capacities, Multinational corporations
- pages
- 118 pages
- publisher
- Department of Industrial and Mechanical Sciences
- defense location
- Lecture Hall M:B, building M, Ole Römers väg 1F, Faculty of Engineering LTH, Lund University, Lund.
- defense date
- 2025-11-21 09:00:00
- ISBN
- 978-91-8104-744-8
- 978-91-8104-743-1
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 5d508155-ff55-450a-8709-e5a7f83eba7f
- date added to LUP
- 2025-10-22 15:36:53
- date last changed
- 2025-10-28 09:30:16
@phdthesis{5d508155-ff55-450a-8709-e5a7f83eba7f,
abstract = {{The international humanitarian system has, since the 19th century, been activated during large-scale disasters when the capacities of the affected countries are overwhelmed. It comprises international humanitarian organizations (IHOs) and is funded by a variety of donors. Recently, this system has faced increasing criticism, mainly because of its failure to empower and include local and national actors (LNAs). LNAs should have the legitimacy to control disaster response, and they often play a vital role within their own countries. However, within the current system, they often function as subcontractors without decision-making authority over resources. Localization aims to address these shortcomings by making aid more locally led. This is seen as “the right thing to do” through rebalancing power and as a way to make humanitarian assistance more efficient, effective, sustainable, and culturally sensitive. Although localization is not new, it has gained momentum over the past decade through various initiatives. Localization encompasses all aspects of humanitarian assistance. This doctoral thesis focuses on humanitarian logistics, which involves managing goods, services, and related information through supply chains. Since logistics account for up to 80% of humanitarian aid costs, localizing logistics would significantly shift responsibility to national and local actors. Progress on the localization agenda has been slow, and several challenges still persist. There is little agreement within the system on what localization actually means. Different interpretations lead IHOs to strengthen their own local offices instead of external actors who are more locally embedded and aligned with local norms and values. IHOs are influenced by external pressures that push them away from localization. Localization also encounters country-specific contextual challenges that require adjustments. This thesis addresses these issues primarily from the perspective of IHOs, as their role is crucial for advancing the localization agenda. The aim is to explore and explain the concept of localization of humanitarian logistics from a top-down perspective, focusing on the path from strategic intent to implementation. This objective is achieved through three qualitative studies. The first is an interview study, the second is an expert elicitation study, and the third is a case study. Together, the three studies offer different perspectives and nuances on localization in humanitarian logistics. The findings reveal that actors within the humanitarian system perceive localization in three main ways, which hinder the development of a clear strategic plan. The studies also highlight several challenges to localization. These include reasons for IHOs to either centralize or decentralize, instead of localizing. The thesis further suggests measures to address several of these challenges. Above all, the humanitarian system needs greater unity to tackle issues that span the system as a whole. Individual IHOs can also develop new strategies for internal organization. This thesis is the first to examine the localization of humanitarian logistics, making significant contributions to research and practice. Most importantly, it enhances the understanding of localization and its complexity by clarifying what localization involves, why its implementation has been slow, and what solutions may help overcome current barriers. Other theoretical contributions to humanitarian logistics include updating the definition of humanitarian logistics, challenging the assumptions of IHOs as the primary decision-makers and implementers, and reconceptualizing the role of IHOs in this context. The thesis also adds to paradox theory by engaging a growing research stream that distinguishes between interorganizational and intraorganizational tensions in supply chain studies. Practically, the thesis can help stakeholders build a shared vision of localization and help IHOs understand the forces pushing them in different directions. Furthermore, it offers pathways for IHOs by proposing a roadmap, responses to tensions, and a concrete example of how localization can be achieved. Societally, understanding localization deepens the comprehension of the humanitarian system, which is shaped not only by aid objectives but also by global forces and broader mandates.}},
author = {{Frennesson, Lina}},
isbn = {{978-91-8104-744-8}},
keywords = {{Localization; Humanitarian logistics; Humanitarian supply chains; Preparedness; Paradox theory; The international humanitarian system; Locally led; Logistics capacities; Multinational corporations}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Department of Industrial and Mechanical Sciences}},
school = {{Lund University}},
title = {{Localization of Humanitarian Logistics : Moving from Strategic Intent to Implementation}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/231150799/Doctoral_thesis_Lina_Frennesson.pdf}},
year = {{2025}},
}