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Coordination in humanitarian relief chains: chain coordinators

Akhtar, P., Marr, N.E., Garnevska, E.V. (2012) Coordination in humanitarian relief chains: chain coordinators. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 2 (1). pp. 85-103. ISSN 2042-6747. (doi:10.1108/20426741211226019) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:75455)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1108/20426741211226019

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify chain coordinators and to explore their roles. The paper also highlights certain advantages of coordination, specific competencies of the coordinators, and challenges in the coordination. Design/methodology/approachThis is a case study research. The data were collected through interviews, observations, and personal experiences of working as a logistics manager and a project manager in the 2005 South Asian earthquake. FindingsThe coordinated organizations manage a number of complex relationships to respond to the disasters effectively and efficiently. An umbrella organization plays a chain coordinator role in horizontal coordination. The umbrella organization leads, directs, and makes major decisions. A country director/programme manager acts as a strategic coordinator in vertical coordination. However, logistics managers, procurement managers and project managers (operations coordinators) also handle coordination activities. The coordinators’ tangible (finance, technology, and people) and intangible (leadership, extra efforts, relevant experiences and education, relationship management skills, research abilities, and performance measurement skills) assets are the key determinants of chain-coordination success. The success of coordination is achieved if these characteristics of the coordinators are effectively matched with the unpredictable nature of humanitarian relief chains. However, coordination does not guarantee success in all situations because organizations may face coordination challenges such as cultural and structural differences. Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides specific and detailed information from the selected humanitarian relief chains of the South Asian earthquake 2005. The paper explores the useful and enhanced understanding of fundamentals to achieve the success of coordination in the chains. Therefore, it is an endeavour to enable a better practical strategy for chain coordinators/managers. Originality/valueThe conceptual and empirical research on the characteristics of chain coordinators and their impact on coordination success is very limited. This paper provides new thoughts to investigate relationships between the characteristics of chain coordinators or coordination and the success of humanitarian relief chains.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1108/20426741211226019
Uncontrolled keywords: Chain coordinators, Challenges, Competences, Coordination success, horizontal, Humanitarian chains, Humanitarian logistics, Interviews, Supply chain management, Vertical
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Depositing User: Pervaiz Akhtar
Date Deposited: 15 Aug 2019 14:00 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:26 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/75455 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Akhtar, P..

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