Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics

Purpose – – Complementing the importance of adequate relief supplies and transportation capacity in the first two weeks of post-disaster logistics, efficient communication, information sharing, and informed decision making play a crucial yet often underestimated role in reducing wasted material res...

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Main Authors: Danilo R. Diedrichs, Kaile Phelps, Paul A. Isihara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Emerald Publishing 2016-04-01
Series:Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Online Access:https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JHLSCM-09-2014-0031/full/pdf
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author Danilo R. Diedrichs
Kaile Phelps
Paul A. Isihara
author_facet Danilo R. Diedrichs
Kaile Phelps
Paul A. Isihara
author_sort Danilo R. Diedrichs
collection DOAJ
description Purpose – – Complementing the importance of adequate relief supplies and transportation capacity in the first two weeks of post-disaster logistics, efficient communication, information sharing, and informed decision making play a crucial yet often underestimated role in reducing wasted material resources and loss of human life. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method of quantifying these effects. Design/methodology/approach – – A mathematical discrete dynamical system is used to model transportation of different commodities from multiple relief suppliers to disaster sites across a network of limited capacity. The physical network is overlaid with the communication network to model information delays and communication breakdowns between agents. The cost in human lives and the monetary cost are measured separately. Findings – – Simulations results highlight quantitatively how communication deficiencies and indiscriminate shipping of resources result in material convergence and shortage of urgent supplies observed in actual emergencies. Originality/value – – The model provides an example of a simple, objective, quantitative tool for decision making and training volunteer managers in the importance of a smart response protocol.
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spelling doaj-art-3db9ff03587149fc8187b85fc5eb4dae2025-08-20T02:11:49ZengEmerald PublishingJournal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management2042-67472016-04-0161244510.1108/JHLSCM-09-2014-0031Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logisticsDanilo R. DiedrichsKaile PhelpsPaul A. IsiharaPurpose – – Complementing the importance of adequate relief supplies and transportation capacity in the first two weeks of post-disaster logistics, efficient communication, information sharing, and informed decision making play a crucial yet often underestimated role in reducing wasted material resources and loss of human life. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method of quantifying these effects. Design/methodology/approach – – A mathematical discrete dynamical system is used to model transportation of different commodities from multiple relief suppliers to disaster sites across a network of limited capacity. The physical network is overlaid with the communication network to model information delays and communication breakdowns between agents. The cost in human lives and the monetary cost are measured separately. Findings – – Simulations results highlight quantitatively how communication deficiencies and indiscriminate shipping of resources result in material convergence and shortage of urgent supplies observed in actual emergencies. Originality/value – – The model provides an example of a simple, objective, quantitative tool for decision making and training volunteer managers in the importance of a smart response protocol.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JHLSCM-09-2014-0031/full/pdf
spellingShingle Danilo R. Diedrichs
Kaile Phelps
Paul A. Isihara
Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management
title Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics
title_full Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics
title_fullStr Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics
title_full_unstemmed Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics
title_short Quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics
title_sort quantifying communication effects in disaster response logistics
url https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JHLSCM-09-2014-0031/full/pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT danilordiedrichs quantifyingcommunicationeffectsindisasterresponselogistics
AT kailephelps quantifyingcommunicationeffectsindisasterresponselogistics
AT paulaisihara quantifyingcommunicationeffectsindisasterresponselogistics