Critical success factors in humanitarian logistics operations in disaster response

¹ HADR Research Centre, Strategic & Security Studies Institute, National Defense University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
² Faculty of Management and Defense Studies, National Defense University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
³ Faculty of Defense Science and Technology, National Defense University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

^* Corresponding author: haliza.mz@upnm.edu.my

Abstract

Inefficiency in disaster response is often reported to occur due to failures in humanitarian logistics operations. This operation involves a long process involving various agencies. The study was conducted to explore the critical success factors that contribute to the effectiveness of humanitarian logistics operations, emphasizing the importance of an efficient logistics system in mitigating operational inefficiencies that could impede relief efforts. This study was conducted using a qualitative methodology with the phenomenological research approach. The sampling strategy implemented is to select research participants who have experience related to this study. Five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with the research participants who are representatives from the agencies involved in Humanitarian Logistics (HL) operations during disasters. Each FGD comprises 6 to 10 research participants. The FGDs were guided by a semi-structured interview protocol, by adopting a logistics process and action. Thematic analysis was employed to systematically analyze the data collected from the FGD. Based on the results, the researchers have analyzed and categorized the HL operations challenges and limitations translated to five key critical success factors (CSFs): Man, Machine, Material, Mechanism, and Monetary (5M). It was found that the inefficiencies of 5M created a big impact on HL operations.