Conference PaperPDF Available

A Systemic Process Model for Procurement Decisions in Humanitarian Logistics

Authors:
Fabiana Lima at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Fabiana Lima
Bernd Hellingrath at University of Münster
Bernd Hellingrath
Adam Widera at University of Münster
Adam Widera
Mirian Buss Gonçalves at Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Mirian Buss Gonçalves
Download full-text PDFDownload full-text PDF
Read full-text
Download citation

Abstract

The relief organizations work in volatile environments involving a variety of actors with different skills and knowledge. The service of emergency for victims of natural disasters requires a rapid decision-making. The objective of the approach presented in this paper is to develop a Systemic Process Model (SPM) for procurement decisions in humanitarian logistics. The SPM aims to support procurement tasks of humanitarian organizations during the response phase in disaster relief. The approach provides a decision support tool using an appropriate quantitative model reflecting the specific area of humanitarian logistics processes.
Iscram
.pdf
Content uploaded by Fabiana Lima
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Fabiana Lima on Sep 21, 2015
Content may be subject to copyright.
294.pd
f
Content uploaded by Adam Widera
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Adam Widera on Sep 09, 2015
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
... The total quantity of purchased relief items is rising, which makes disaster relief procurement a topic of high relevance [30]. The purpose of procurement is to ensure that the humanitarian organization has the needed material resources to meet operational requirements and operational support [31,32]. Each year humanitarian relief organizations procure approximately USD 50 billion worth of goods and services from local and international suppliers [30]. ...
View
Seleção de fornecedores para atendimento às vítimas de desastres naturais considerando o lead time logístico dos produtos na fase de aquisição
Article
Full-text available
  • Jan 2015
Organizações humanitárias buscam processos eficientes e eficazes para a tomada de decisão no momento da resposta aos desastres. Evidencia-se neste estudo o uso de ferramentas logísticas para auxiliar a tomada de decisão em operações de resposta humanitária referente à coordenação de materiais para eventos em desastres naturais. Na literatura algumas abordagens têm sido propostas utilizando modelos de otimização para decisão de compras para a ajuda humanitária, sem incluir a seleção de fornecedores de forma a garantir a disponibilidade dos itens de alívio nas áreas afetadas, no momento certo. O presente trabalho visa desenvolver uma metodologia para definir o melhor conjunto de fornecedores respeitando, o tempo, a demanda e a capacidade de entrega no lugar atingido, desenvolvendo um modelo adaptado do problema do fluxo em redes. O foco desta pesquisa está nas fases da preparação e resposta, em que, com técnicas de otimização utilizada na fase da preparação, pretende-se alcançar uma resposta mais eficaz. Verificou-se que a condição de o produto estar o mais rápido possível no local de demanda foi satisfeita e foi utilizada a capacidade dos fornecedores nas datas mais próximas aos eventos com o menor custo.
View
Improving Humanitarian Logistics --- Towards a Tool-based Process Modeling Approach
Chapter
Full-text available
  • Jan 2011
The approach presented in this paper focuses on a model based identification of humanitarian logistics processes and the actors involved in a humanitarian supply chain. Therefore, a promising reference model for humanitarian logistics was applied using a process modeling tool in two different relief organizations in order to support the optimization of humanitarian logistics processes. These results put humanitarian organizations in a position to fall back on clear roles and responsibilities, to identify their core competencies, and to improve the management of logistics processes within their organization and the entire supply chain.
View
Coordination in humanitarian logistics through clusters
Article
Full-text available
  • Sep 2010
  • Int J Phys Distrib Logist Manag
Purpose In the field of humanitarianism, cluster thinking has been suggested as a solution to the lack of coordinated disaster response. Clusters for diverse functions, including sheltering, logistics and water and sanitation, can be viewed as an effort to achieve functional coordination. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to a greater understanding of the potential of cluster concepts using supply chain coordination and inter‐cluster coordination. The focus is on the conceptual level rather than on specific means of coordination. Design/methodology/approach The cluster concept in humanitarian relief, along with some key empirical issues, is based on a case study. The concept is then compared to the literature on clusters and coordination in order to develop a theoretical framework with propositions on the tradeoffs between different types of coordination. Findings The results provide important reflections on one of the major trends in contemporary development of humanitarian logistics. This paper shows that there is a tradeoff between different types of coordination, with horizontal coordination inside cluster drawing attention away from important issues of the supply chain as well as the need to coordinate among the clusters. Research limitations/implications There is a need for more in‐depth case studies of experiences with clusters in various operations. Various perspectives should be taken into account, including the field, responding agencies, beneficiaries, donors, military and commercial service providers, both during and between disasters. Practical implications The paper presents the tradeoffs between different types of coordination, in which basic aims such as standardisation through functional coordination, must be balanced with cross‐functional and vertical coordination in order to more successfully serve the users' composite needs. Originality/value The focus on possible trade‐offs between different types of coordination is an important complement to the literature, which often assumes simultaneous high degrees of horizontal and vertical coordination.
View
View
Grouping multidimensional data. Recent advances in clustering
Book
  • Jan 2006
Clustering is one of the most fundamental and essential data analysis techniques. Clustering can be used as an independent data mining task to discern intrinsic characteristics of data, or as a preprocessing step with the clustering results then used for classification, correlation analysis, or anomaly detection. Kogan and his co-editors have put together recent advances in clustering large and high-dimension data. Their volume addresses new topics and methods which are central to modern data analysis, with particular emphasis on linear algebra tools, opimization methods and statistical techniques. The contributions, written by leading researchers from both academia and industry, cover theoretical basics as well as application and evaluation of algorithms, and thus provide an excellent state-of-the-art overview. The level of detail, the breadth of coverage, and the comprehensive bibliography make this book a perfect fit for researchers and graduate students in data mining and in many other important related application areas.
View
Entropy-based particle swarm optimization with clustering analysis on landslide susceptibility mapping
Article
  • Mar 2012
Generation of landslide susceptibility maps is important for engineering geologists and geomorphologists. The goal of this study is to generate a reliable susceptibility map based on digital elevation modeling and remote sensing data through clustering technique. This study focused on the landslide problems on a vast area located at Shei Pa National Park, Miao Li, Taiwan. Two stages of analysis were used to extract the dominant attributes and thresholds: (1) calculate the entropy with regard to the measure of influenced variables to the occurrence of landslide and (2) use the clustering analysis K-means with particle swarm optimization (KPSO) to resolve the difficulties in creating landslide susceptibility maps. The knowledge scope with regard to core factors and thresholds are solved. The self-organization map (SOM) is used as a parallel study for comparison. The overall accuracy of the susceptibility map is 86 and 77 % for KPSO and SOM, respectively. Then, the susceptibility maps are drawn and verifications made. The generation of a susceptibility map is useful for decision makers and managers to handle the landslide risk area.
View
View
Supply chain process modelling for humanitarian organizations
Article
  • Sep 2010
  • Int J Phys Distrib Logist Manag
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a supply chain process modelling method adapted to the requirements of humanitarian organisations. Design/methodology/approach Empirical research was conducted to identify the state of practice of supply chain management (SCM) in humanitarian organisations. An established procedure was selected, in order to develop a reference task model which forms the basis of the process modelling method. A literature review, expert interviews and other primary sources were used to identify the SCM activities that are required for the reference task model. Findings An empirical survey revealed that process modelling and optimisation are in their infancy at humanitarian organisations. A reference task model identifying over 100 SCM tasks is constructed. The applicability and feasibility of the developed process modelling method is exemplified by means of a case study. Research limitations/implications The reference task model provides the basis for further research on process modelling and optimisation in humanitarian supply chains. Practical implications The process modelling method supports humanitarian organisations in modelling and optimising their supply chain processes. Standardisation of supply chain processes is promoted which can be a key to improving operational effectiveness and efficiency as well as cooperation and coordination in humanitarian operations. Originality/value No rigorous supply chain process modelling technique adapted to the requirements of humanitarian organisations has yet been proposed. Likewise, to date, no comprehensive task model, which enables the construction of supply chain processes for humanitarian organisations, has been developed.
View
Locating cyclone shelters: A case
Article
  • May 2007
  • Disast Prev Manag
Purpose This paper aims to present the cyclone shelter location problem as a problem of grouping a set of villages into a minimum number of clusters and finding the location and capacity of the shelters. Design/methodology/approach Proposes an algorithm to solve the location problem that uses a distance matrix of the villages, applies Elzinga‐Hearn method iteratively to group them into circular clusters, and determines the shelter size. It is implemented in a software package, which reads the village records from a database, executes the steps of the algorithm, and writes the results into a file. Findings The villages are grouped into 13 clusters, eight requiring cyclone shelters to be built and five requiring no shelter, taking into consideration the available space in double‐storeyed buildings in the villages. The capacity and location of the each shelter are also obtained. Research limitations/implications The approach can be modified to address several practical constraints. For example, for the villages situated far from the coast, the limiting travel distance can be increased, considering that a lesser intensity cyclone would give more time to the villagers to reach the shelter. Practical implications Funds are available from a number of public and private organizations to construct cyclone shelters, which could be used properly only when optimal locations for the cyclone shelters are identified. Originality/value Originality of the work lies in adapting Elzinga‐Hearn method iteratively to group the villages into circular clusters and implementing the algorithm in software solution. The concerned authority, to take cyclone shelter location decisions, can use the software.
View
Improving Bid Pricing for Humanitarian Logistics
Article
  • Jun 2009
  • Int J Phys Distrib Logist Manag
Purpose – Humanitarian logistics plays a critical role in the aid response to hunger and disasters worldwide. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses a competitive bidding process to procure P.L. 480 Title II food aid, a 2billionbusinessannually.Thispaperdescribesamixed‐integerprogram(MIP)decisiontoolthatmimicstheUSDAbidapproachinordertoimproveoceancarrierandfoodsupplierbidpricingstrategy.Design/methodology/approach–First,theUSDAbidprocessisdetailedandtheMIPdecisiontoolisdescribed.ThenhowthetoolisrunagainsthistoricaldatatoapproximatefutureUSDAbidawardsisexplained,allowingtheauthorstosubsequentlyadvisefoodsupplierandoceancarrierclientsofexpectedpricecompetitionandpricingflexibilitybeforetheysubmitbids.Findings–TheMIPdecisiontoolhasdemonstrateditseffectivenessinsupporting2 billion business annually. This paper describes a mixed‐integer program (MIP) decision tool that mimics the USDA bid approach in order to improve ocean carrier and food supplier bid pricing strategy. Design/methodology/approach – First, the USDA bid process is detailed and the MIP decision tool is described. Then how the tool is run against historical data to approximate future USDA bid awards is explained, allowing the authors to subsequently advise food supplier and ocean carrier clients of expected price competition and pricing flexibility before they submit bids. Findings – The MIP decision tool has demonstrated its effectiveness in supporting 8 million in food aid bids. Bidding implications for food aid carriers and suppliers are provided as well as suggestions for additional opportunities for humanitarian logistics research are offered. Originality/value – Extant literature in procurement offers little practical support for bidder pricing preparation. Additionally, humanitarian logistics is an emerging, under‐researched field, and this paper is the first to address sourcing and distribution of Title II food aid.
View