Competing Constraints: The Operational Mismatch between Business Logistics and Humanitarian Effectiveness

Abstract

Decades of research have been committed to developing effective business logistics systems. In contrast, the important design principles for effective humanitarian logistics systems remains poorly understood. Current research focuses largely on applying business models to humanitarian logistics, however, there remains a fundamental mismatch between business logistics models, and humanitarian logistics ways of operating. Specifically, business logistics systems are utility focused; designed to prioritize cost minimization and profit maximization, to sustain a long-term market demand for their service and to limit the opportunity for uncertainty within their supply chain. Alternatively, humanitarians and their logistics systems aim to prioritize a shared moral code over economic outcomes, reduce beneficiary dependence upon their service, and specifically operate in a contingent environment characterized by high uncertainty and context flux. Thus, we argue that business logistics models and tools designed for precision outcomes and control cannot merely be re-engineered for a humanitarian context that calls for approximation and parallel option flexibility. Instead of adapting economic-based logistics systems designed for maximizing business effectiveness, we believe academics could better contribute to the science of humanitarian logistics by pursuing new designs supporting the goals and constraints driven by humanitarian values.