Premium
On the use of evidence in humanitarian logistics research
Author(s) -
PedrazaMartinez Alfonso J.,
Stapleton Orla,
Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
disasters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1467-7717
pISSN - 0361-3666
DOI - 10.1111/disa.12012
Subject(s) - human factors and ergonomics , poison control , occupational safety and health , injury prevention , suicide prevention , business , forensic engineering , medical emergency , engineering , medicine , political science , law
This paper presents the reflections of the authors on the differences between the language and the approach of practitioners and academics to humanitarian logistics problems. Based on a long‐term project on fleet management in the humanitarian sector, involving both large international humanitarian organisations and academics, it discusses how differences in language and approach to such problems may create a lacuna that impedes trust. In addition, the paper provides insights into how academic research evidence adapted to practitioner language can be used to bridge the gap. When it is communicated appropriately, evidence strengthens trust between practitioners and academics, which is critical for long‐term projects. Once practitioners understand the main trade‐offs included in academic research, they can supply valuable feedback to motivate new academic research. Novel research problems promote innovation in the use of traditional academic methods, which should result in a win—win situation: relevant solutions for practice and advances in academic knowledge.