Cécile L'Hermitte’s research while affiliated with University of Waikato and other places

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Publications (13)


What Factors Influence Building Material Supply for Post-Disaster Reconstruction and Recovery? A Systematic Review Applying Systems Thinking
  • Article

November 2024

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25 Reads

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

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Nan Li

Reconstruction and recovery projects after major natural disasters often face building material supply challenges, leading to schedule delays and cost overruns. However, extant studies lack a thorough investigation of these supply issues in a post-disaster environment. This paper aims to understand the factors influencing post-disaster building material supply and the mechanisms contributing to the supply problems. Thus, the authors analysed 49 publications from 2005 to 2023 and identified 42 influencing factors and 226 causal relationships. These factors were classified into three groups, namely, 1) contextual sub-system, 2) operational sub-system, and 3) stakeholder sub-system. Drawing on the data, a causal loop diagram (CLD) was developed, and numerous feedback loops were identified within and between systems. Through a network analysis of the CLD, five leverage factors were identified as systemic interventions for policymakers to consider in improving building material supply performance for post-disaster recovery, namely, regulatory arrangements and governance, competence and capability of stakeholders, stakeholder relationship, availability of local materials, and resource exploitation. However, CLD and network analysis also revealed the need for further investigation of the mechanisms and interventions related to building material supply in disaster contexts. To better understand and address post-disaster building material supply problems, ongoing studies can be further advanced by the better utilisation of extant knowledge, the application of systems thinking approaches and computational modelling methods.


Challenges in construction material supply for post-disaster transport infrastructure recovery: a case study of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake in New Zealand

May 2024

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21 Reads

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1 Citation

Disaster Prevention and Management An International Journal

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the challenges faced by the transport infrastructure sector in its civil construction material supply processes, following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach A case study approach was adopted, which included on-site observations, semi-structured interviews and literature-based desktop reviews. Findings The research findings show that there were supply problems for aggregates, concrete, stormwater pipes and some specialised products for the repair and rebuild of transport facilities. Those supply problems were largely caused by (1) difficulty in predicting material requirements, (2) constrained supply capability, (3) inadequate local freight capacity, (4) legal, cultural and/or environmental considerations on resource exploitation and utilisation, (5) impacts of COVID-19 and (6) ineffective communication and coordination. Research limitations/implications For future research, it is recommended that a comparative analysis of multiple disaster cases be undertaken to further explore the generalisability of the research findings. Originality/value The research findings will inform the development of post-earthquake recovery policies and material supply chain operation strategies, in order to expedite the recovery of transport networks if a future earthquake strikes.



Keeping goods moving in the wake of a disaster: a qualitative study of intermodal transport

February 2023

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63 Reads

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3 Citations

The International Journal of Logistics Management

Purpose This paper examines what facilitates the swift reconfiguration of freight movements across transport modes in the wake of a major disaster. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach focussing on the New Zealand (NZ) domestic freight transport operations in the wake of the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake is used with data collected through 19 interviews with 27 informants. The interviews are thematically analysed by using the framework method. Findings The paper provides rich and detailed descriptions of the ability of a freight transport system to recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts. This paper identifies nine factors enabling modular transport operations and highlights the critical role of physical, digital, operational and inter-organisational interconnectivity in the aftermath of a disaster. Originality/value Although the management of freight disruptions has become a prevalent topic not only in industry and policy-making circles, but also in the academic literature, qualitative research focussing on the ability of commercial freight systems to adapt and recover from a disaster through rapid modal shifts is limited. This qualitative study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the continuity of freight operations in the wake of a disaster and provides a comprehensive understanding of modular transport operations and the ability of freight systems to keep goods moving.



A blockchain-enabled framework for sharing logistics resources in emergency operations

April 2020

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119 Reads

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55 Citations

Disasters

This paper presents a conceptual research work designed to study how the sharing economy concept can be leveraged to increase the participation of commercial organisations (transporters, retailers, etc.) in disaster relief operations. Drawing on Social Exchange Theory, the academic literature on the sharing economy and blockchain, as well as existing resource sharing practices in both commercial and humanitarian logistics operations, this paper develops a theoretical framework for analysing the structure, benefits and prerequisites of a logistics sharing system in emergency responses. It also proposes to utilise the blockchain technology to facilitate the interactions and enhance trust between emergency responders and commercial organisations. It is argued that leveraging commercial logistics resources such as emergency supplies, transport capacity and storage space has the potential to improve the mobilisation and deployment of urgently needed relief items and increase the flexibility of emergency responses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved


Best practice relief supply for emergency services in a developed economy: Evidence from Queensland Australia
  • Article
  • Full-text available

March 2018

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1,009 Reads

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21 Citations

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the challenges inherent in planning and responding to disaster events in a multi-agency context where numerous governmental and non-governmental actors and agencies are involved in the planning and response phases. In particular, the authors examine a situation where a lead agency has recently been delegated the responsibility for emergency relief logistics and how it might determine and implement best practice. Design/methodology/approach Adopting an iterative inductive approach, the authors gather data and insights from academic literature, emergency management policies, frameworks and documents and exploratory in-depth interviews with 12 key informants who have considerable experience with the challenges of logistic preparation and response to disasters in a developed country context. The data and context are limited to developed counties, especially the state of Queensland, Australia. Findings The authors discuss the challenge of achieving coordinated supply chain management where mandated/lead response agencies are required to meet stakeholder and local community expectations and outcomes. From these findings, the authors offer 11 practical recommendations to assist the delivery of best practice in emergency logistics. Originality/value Humanitarian logistics is usually examined from a low/middle-income country perspective, yet an efficient and effective disaster response is no less important for developed economies. In this respect, the authors offer a fresh examination of the challenges of delivering best practice for emergency logistics in order to achieve expected community outcomes.

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Investigating the strategic antecedents of agility in humanitarian logistics

December 2016

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86 Reads

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23 Citations

Disasters

This study investigates the strategic antecedents of operational agility in humanitarian logistics. It began by identifying the particular actions to be taken at the strategic level of a humanitarian organisation to support field-level agility. Next, quantitative data (n=59) were collected on four strategic-level capabilities (being purposeful, action-focused, collaborative, and learning-oriented) and on operational agility (field responsiveness and flexibility). Using a quantitative analysis, the study tested the relationship between organisational capacity building and operational agility and found that the four strategic-level capabilities are fundamental building blocks of agility. Collectively they account for 52 per cent of the ability of humanitarian logisticians to deal with ongoing changes and disruptions in the field. This study emphasises the need for researchers and practitioners to embrace a broader perspective of agility in humanitarian logistics. In addition, it highlights the inherently strategic nature of agility, the development of which involves focusing simultaneously on multiple drivers.


Supply chain agility in humanitarian protracted operations

August 2016

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323 Reads

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55 Citations

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the concept of agility in humanitarian logistics beyond emergency operations. Since the humanitarian logistics literature focuses primarily on emergencies and sees longer term and regular operations as being conducted in relatively stable and predictable environments, agile practices are usually not associated with humanitarian protracted operations. Therefore, this paper explores the logistics and supply chain environment in such operations in order to identify their basic features and determine if agility is an important requirement. Design/methodology/approach – Using a case study of the United Nations World Food Programme, the authors collected and analysed qualitative and quantitative data on the characteristics of protracted operations, the risks and uncertainties most frequently encountered, their impact, and the ways that field logisticians manage contingencies. Findings – The research demonstrates that unpredictability and disruptions exist in protracted operations. Therefore, short-term operational adjustments and agile practices are needed in order to support the continuity of humanitarian deliveries. Research limitations/implications – Future research should focus on a wider range of humanitarian organisations and move from a descriptive to a prescriptive approach in order to inform practice. Notwithstanding these limitations, the study highlights the need for academics to broaden the scope of their research beyond emergencies and to address the specific needs of humanitarian organisations involved in longer term operations. Originality/value – This paper is the first empirical research focusing exclusively on the logistics features of humanitarian protracted operations. It provides a more concrete and complete understanding of these operations.


Citations (7)


... This impenetrable ledger ensures the integrity of dealings between multiple entities involved in supply chain operations. Supported by research from Transitioning from theoretical frameworks to practical applications, BT exhibits promise in HSCs (Aranda et al., 2019;Baharmand and Comes, 2019;Baharmand et al., 2021;Chen et al., 2023;Coppi, 2020;Dubey et al., 2020;Dubey et al., 2022b;Hunt et al., 2022;Izadi et al., 2023;Khadke and Parkhi, 2020;Khan et al., 2021;L'Hermitte and Nair, 2020;Ozdemir et al., 2021;Patil et al., 2021;Ramadurai and Bhatia, 2019;Rodriguez-Espindola et al., 2020;Sahebi et al., 2020;Zwitter and Boisse-Despiaux, 2018). The BT's applications in HSC operations include tracking relief funding, preventing corruption and implementing smart contracts, all contributing to trust, transparency, traceability, human error risk mitigation and improving efficiency of fund distribution throughout the HSCs (Aranda et al., 2019;Baharmand et al., 2021;Dubey et al., 2020;Gorey, 2016;Hunt et al., 2022;Kenny, 2017;Kewell et al., 2017;Saad et al., 2022;Verhulst, 2018;Zwitter and Boisse-Despiaux, 2018). ...

Reference:

A blockchain technology for improving financial flows in humanitarian supply chains: benefits and challenges
A blockchain-enabled framework for sharing logistics resources in emergency operations
  • Citing Article
  • April 2020

Disasters

... Despite these varied terminologies, the underlying concept and purpose of CVA consistently aligns with the literature. While some authors explicitly define CVA (Khoury, 2019;Wilson et al., 2018), others imply it by discussing programmes that provide cash transfers or vouchers to beneficiaries for goods and services (Heaslip et al., 2018a(Heaslip et al., , 2018b. Recent studies have emphasised CVA's role in enhancing financial inclusion by utilising digital technologies, with successful implementations in Niger and Tanzania (Abiona and Koppensteiner, 2022;Aker et al., 2011). ...

Best practice relief supply for emergency services in a developed economy: Evidence from Queensland Australia

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

... Therefore, leaders should know how to enhance motivation, manage expectations, and maintain high efficiency and effectiveness. L'Hermitte et al. [39] added that humanitarian supply chain managers manage the network of interconnected stakeholders. ...

Investigating the strategic antecedents of agility in humanitarian logistics
  • Citing Article
  • December 2016

Disasters

... While a stark contrast exists between commercial and post-disaster settings, regular humanitarian logistics are more similar to commercial operations. Multiple studies explicitly call for a more nuanced view of different types of humanitarian response contexts, including certain response types and characteristics (L'Hermitte et al., 2016b;Chari et al., 2020). ...

Supply chain agility in humanitarian protracted operations
  • Citing Article
  • August 2016

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

... They suggested building a public-private collaboration space for innovative procurement strategies. L'Hermitte et al. [103] explored the strategic dimension of agile HSCs and reported collaboration as one of the most soughtafter strategies. Jahre [104] also reported similar findings and discussed collaborations to improve inventory management activities. ...

Developing organisational capabilities to support agility in humanitarian logistics
  • Citing Article
  • April 2016

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

... Additionally, these organisations encounter a variety of risks and uncertainties when transporting, storing, and delivering essential supplies. There have not been many studies done on risk management in emergency supply chains, and more specifically, clear categories of risks and uncertainties experienced along emergency supply chains and mitigation strategies currently implemented still need to be empirically established and tested (L'Hermitte et al. 2015). In order to effectively manage supply chain risks, it is necessary first to identify risk events, then evaluate the probability and severity of these events, and finally devise preventative and corrective measures. ...

An Integrated Approach to Agility in Humanitarian Logistics

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

... They go on to explain how abnormal risks, like natural and man-made catastrophes, can affect normal risks, like those associated with supply, demand, and infrastructure. Relief organisations face intricate contextual factors, in addition to the risks and uncertainties related to demand and supply, during the provision of aid (L'Hermitte, Tatham, and Bowles 2014). In their study, Chukwuka et al. (2023) classified risk factors in emergency supply chains into two overarching categories, namely internal and external risks. ...

Classifying logistics-relevant disasters: conceptual model and empirical illustration
  • Citing Article
  • October 2014

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management