Category Archives: humanitarian

Humanitarian logistics articles and other resources

Still some years ago, humanitarian logistics was seen as a novel and trendy field – at least in research. In practice, it is a bit more of business as unusual, agile, flexible, responsive, you name it, but still logistics.

Over time, the research buzz has stabilised a bit with dedicated conference, conference tracks, masters and doctoral programmes, and through the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management (JHLSCM). Already prior to that there have been a lot of special issues in different journals (over 10 of these since 2007). Here’s a bit of help for those just starting out in this area:

- Peter Tatham’s bibliography (which is quite frequently updated), and
- Emerald’s ListAssist (compiled and also categorised according to different topics by Ira Haavisto)

Plus a list of special issues apart from JHLSCM:

- IJPDLM: Vol.39 No.5/6/7 and Vol.40 No.8/9
- TRE: Vol.43 No.6
- IJSTM: Vol.12 No.4
- IJRAM: Vol.13 No.1 – and with a current CFP on the topic
- MRN: Vol.32 No.11
- IJPE: Vol.126 No.1 – plus articles for another one can be found in the “articles in press” section
- and other journals such as Omega and POM have special issues in their pipeline.

There are some books as well, many of which have been noted on this blog previously. No need to reinvent the wheel, rather, push the envelope :-)

That said, one cannot stress it enough that beyond looking at all the publications, humanitarian logistics research also needs to be relevant for practice. And to close the loop between practice and research, here’s a CFP for research on humanitarian logistics education and training.

Gyöngyi

New book: Relief Supply Chain for Disasters: Humanitarian, Aid and Emergency Logistics

Out at last, a more research-oriented anthology on humanitarian logistics called “Relief Supply Chain for Disasters: Humanitarian, Aid and Emergency Logistics“.

And if the entire book isn’t necessary, one can always get just individual chapters on e.g. different types of partnerships, comparisons of different disasters, various aspects of peacekeeping activities (e.g. local sourcing in peacekeeping) etc., greening relief supply chains, or even an analysis that looks into the impact of disasters in light of the logistics performance of a country. Enjoy!

Gyöngyi

First issue of JHLSCM now online

Following up on its announcement, the first number of the brand new Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management is finally out – follow this link!

And the next one’s already in the publication process :-)

Gyöngyi

PS edited 3.6. – the journal has a free access period right now, check it out!

New book: Humanitarian Logistics

Fresh from the oven, it arrived today on my desk, Christopher & Tatham‘s new book on “Humanitarian Logistics: Meeting the challenge of preparing for and responding to disasters“. It collects important insights from practitioners as well as academics. A wonderful read.

Recently, another book came out as well, Pamela Steele‘s “Humanitarian Logistics: A career for women“. It is a mosaic of inspiring stories of humanitarian logisticians, mostly from the field – and complements the academic view rather well.

The next related book (called “Relief Supply Chain for Disasters: Humanitarian, aid and emergency logistics“) is on its way, coming out in May and in that coinciding with the first number of the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management.  Stay tuned :-)

Gyöngyi

New journal: Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Humanitarian logistics research now has a new, dedicated outlet: the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management. The first call for papers can be accessed here – and the first number is scheduled to come out in early 2011.

Gyöngyi

Call for chapters in relief supply chain management

Post the Ottawa conference on “Relationship building in humanitarian logistics” and a doctoral course on “Supply chain management in disaster relief“, here’s a first call for chapters for a book on relief supply chain management, with an intended audience comprised of academics, students, and interested practitioners. Deadline for chapter proposals extended to Dec 5, 2009, follow this link for further details.

Gyöngyi

Women in SCM – a survey

No, this is not about women and leadership, but yes about links between skills, gender, and logistics performance – a comparative survey of logisticians and their managers in three fields: business logistics, humanitarian logistics, and military logistics. Click here to fill in the survey – and send the link to your colleagues in the field!

Gyöngyi

PS. Here’s the link to be sent out: http://www.webropol.com/P.aspx?id=276853&cid=55080033

Calls for humanitarian logistics research

Good news for researchers in humanitarian logistics, there are more and more conferences setting up specific tracks, and a number of special issues calling for papers on humanitarian logistics, humanitarian supply chains, humanitarian operations… Here’s a bit of a selection:

Apart from POMS’ humanitarian group and INFORMS’ humanitarian track, now also the Transportation Research Forum (TRF) agreed to have a track on humanitarian logistics. (Abstract deadline Oct 31, 2008; contact Paul Larson). A track on “Humanitarian actions and operations” has also been included to the International Conference on Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM) conference. (Paper deadline Jan 11, 2009, contact Alexander Blecken.) Last but not least, both NOFOMA 2009 (Jönköping) and LRN 2009 (Cardiff) have humanitarian logistics tracks! (no wonder, both are arranged by HUMLOG Group members ;-) )

Now to some interesting CFPs for special issues of different journals:
- Production and Operations Management calls for papers on “POM research on emerging markets“. Deadline Dec 1, 2008
- Interfaces calls for papers on “Humanitarian applications: doing good with good OR“. Deadline May 15, 2009

Updates can always be found on our wall :-)

Gyöngyi

PS. Note the NOFOMA website having changed to http://www.nofoma.net
PPS. More for humanitarian logisticians, the HUMLOG Group has a self-subscription newsletter (check out the instructions on their website) that is administered by the HUMLOG Institute.

Doctoral students in humanitarian logistics

This is for potential PhD students: Hanken is seeking doctoral students in humanitarian logistics to start in Sep 2008 within the Relief Supply Chain Management project. Applications are due on Aug 4, 2008.

Gyöngyi