Research and Management Insights

Humanitarian operations pose challenges for production and operations management researchers and practitioners that differ markedly from those of conventional supply chains associated with profitable enterprises. The overlap provides learning opportunities for those on both sides of the divide (which differ by objectives and consequent logistics). Further differentiation occurs in the role of policy makers, financial managers and socially responsible agencies. In an era of big data, one of the most vexing problems is the lack of robust data in the humanitarian domain which is as richly varied as the types of disasters that can occur. In addition to wanting to be cost effective, the issue of equity fairness is pervasive. Whose interests are foremost is a dilemma especially when considering the “last-mile logistics” of getting aid to those in most need. Efficiency-equity tension which characterizes the domain of humanistic operations and crisis management (who is the client, where do funds and supplies come from?) is not present in commercial situations. The complexity and unstructured nature of humanitarian systems demand systemization. How do theory and practice relate in this domain which desperately needs good scouts to map the territory? Study is required to use technology and training to eliminate and/or mitigate the impact of accidents, natural cataclysms and malevolent behavior.