Title: Understanding the role of logistics in humanitarian operations: key findings and analysis from literatures

Authors: V. Raja Sreedharan; Vimal Kek; M. Dhanya; S. Anjali; P. Arunprasad

Addresses: Department of Management – Kochi, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Patna, India ' Department of Management – Kochi, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, India ' Department of Management – Kochi, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kerala, India ' Dubai Business School, University of Dubai, Dubai, UAE

Abstract: The study aims to provide a prevalent and systematised understanding into the contemporary publications on humanitarian logistics to observe trends and to propose an agenda for future exploration, based on gaps detected through the systematic analysis. A thorough review of scholarly articles from conference proceeding and peer-reviewed journal articles addressing humanitarian logistics (HLs) was attained. The content analysis (CA) approach comprising of four-step put forward by Mayring (2004) was used to conduct the review of the literature. In conducting the study, the researchers understood the core of logistics in humanitarian operations and proposed a MAPA model, to manage challenges and to address the precise needs of relief measures. The reliability of the study could be further enlarged by testing the CSF and challenges of HL. Humanitarian logistics is a subject that formerly has been discussed qualitatively in the study. This work bestows researchers with a new model to address the challenges faced in HL.

Keywords: humanitarian logistics; relief operation; MAPA model; supply chain.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLSM.2020.108961

International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, 2020 Vol.36 No.4, pp.463 - 494

Received: 16 Jan 2018
Accepted: 27 Nov 2018
Published online: 10 Aug 2020 *

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