Humanitarian Aid Logistics - Example

HUMANITARIAN AID LOGISTICS by Student’s name Code+ course name Professor’s name University name City, State Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 3 13 Humanitarian aid logistics Executive summary The intention of this discussion is to demonstrate critically how logistics would boost the activities of a humanitarian organization. Logistics is a member of the supply chain system, and it entails the design, formulation, implementation and management of movement of goods and information in and out of the organization. Logistics has a number of strongholds as it enhances the productivity of an organization as well as its efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, logistics has evolved tremendously and currently uses computer based software that speed up the entire process while upholding required accuracy standards. Logistics encompasses a number of activities that need to be coordinated appropriately so as to add value to the humanitarian aid program. This paper seeks to address the following activities; packaging and material handling, warehousing, transportation and coordination between logistics and other managerial activities. In addition, this paper will assess the benefit of the logistics activities in response to form, time and places utility. Introduction Logistics is a management discipline that addresses the flow of raw materials or finished goods from the point of origin to the desired final destination. Logistics overall aim at meeting the requirements of customers or corporations therefore result objectives for lead time. Logistics manages both physical products, for example; materials, equipments and staff as well as other items conceptual in nature for instance information and energy (Hardemon 2011). When dealing with physical items, logistics seeks to focus on the integration of flow of information, handling of materials, production, inventory, packaging, transportation, security and finally warehousing. Ideally, logistics has over the years been described as the process of planning, formulation, implementing and controlling the flow of materials whether physical or intellectual from the origin point to the point of consumption. The major reason behind logistics is efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency implies that the principle of logistics in an organization has to reduce the utilization of resources in an organization. On the other hand, effectiveness ensures that logistics will conform to the other organizational policies accordingly spearhead the development of the business to other levels. In the organizational setting, logistics is one of the basic functions and its objectives leads to serious issues revolving around performance and value. For instance, a few examples of targets of logistics in an organization would include; reliable fast delivery times, low levels of inventory and high utilization role in the organization. Changes have to take place in various sectors of society and logistics has not been left out. Logistics automation is on the rise the world over by organizations applying computer soft wares and other advanced models of resources to ensure that efficiency and effectiveness in the logistics training. Logistics is consequently a basic doctrine that can be implemented in various organizations that deal in multiple products. As logistics advances, the advantages accruing to organizations that use it also increase. For instance, logistics tremendously enable international business that leads to more business (Bajec 2011). Logistics also lead to the reduction of financial regulation and fosters changes in the prevailing consumer behavior. It through logistics that retailers are now more powerful compared to earlier times. Logistics creates relationships within the organizations departments which revolve around economics, marketing and production. Logistics enhances decision making as it avails vital information to the top management of the organization. In the recent organizational environment, logistics managers have various responsibilities in the company. For instance, it is the sole responsibility of the logistics head to be conversant with the current freight rates, inventory analysis, and production process, purchasing requirements, warehouse layout and the transportation laws governing the organization (Tine 2005). Procurement Procurement refers to the sourcing of raw materials, supplies and parts bought from outside the company needed to support the organizations operations. Procurement costs are cumbersome and get a large percentage of organizations revenue. The objectives of the procurement principle contain the desire to support the implementation of the organizations goals and organize the purchasing process to ensure it is strong and efficient. Procurement also creates lasting relationships with other organizations departments as well as manages the supply base. However, one of the weighty responsibilities bestowed to procurement is supplier selection and evaluation. The solution to this responsibility entails stating the needs of the company them evaluating the supplier with the ability to meet these needs. Procurement seeks to ensure that quality of the raw materials conforms to the organizations standards. This is a critical element in the supply chain as quality is essential to the final consumers of the product. Procurement has now reached the international standards which harnesses the achievement of low cost products with high quality. Global procurement also ensures that market entry strategy is possible. Humanitarian logistics Logistics has various branches to address the different organizational needs. Humanitarian logistics is one of the branches in logistics that specializes in organizing on how delivery as well as warehousing of supplies in the possibility of natural disasters. Humanitarian logistics solves complex emergencies that arise and influence people in a given region. Although initially meant for business reasons under supply chain, logistics is one of the essential aspects that guarantee the success of relief operations. This mainly because, it is through logistics that key elements necessitating disaster recovery occur. For instance; the type and amount of desired resources, the mode of procurement as well as storage of the supplies, means of transportation to the disaster stricken area, operation teams, cooperation and coordination among teams all fall under humanitarian logistics (Jensen 2005). When dealing with disasters, all aspects of logistics need to be appropriately inculcated in the disaster recovery measures. Warehousing for example addresses storage of all essential goods and tools utilized in the disaster response. Appropriate planning to ensure that contamination will not take place. Planning also ensures that the deliveries to the desired area in time and the desired quantity. Another aspect of humanitarian logistics is to ensure that all the distribution centers located to facilitate easy transportation of materials. A number of computer software can be used to verify the establishment of the correct location. In humanitarian aid logistics, utility is a critical factor that has to be keenly addressed. Utility primarily represents preferences that would bring restitution to the consumers of the goods or services. Utility has different categories, which include; time, form, place and possession. Form utility ensures that a product is marketable by changing its physical characteristics to adapt to those desired by the consumer. For instance, consumers may prefer liquid detergents to other forms of detergents so the liquid detergents will acquire more satisfaction. Time utility, on the other hand, ensures that the product will be available in the market at the convenient time. Time utility is crucial as it guarantees that the goods or services will be available as and when required by the customer. Place utility seeks to address the availability of the product to the client in the desired location. It is place utility that focuses on delivery of products to consumers. Possession utility applies well in commercial forums as it eases the transferability of ownership. In humanitarian aid logistics, the three utility categories; time, form and place are critical. This is because, when dealing with disaster recovery time is immense importance. Additionally, the form with which the product delivery takes place will guarantee satisfaction takes place. A logistical expertise that bears the three forms of utility will tackle the disaster recovery objectives. Packaging and handling of materials Packaging is an art as well as a science and technology of protecting products awaiting transportation, storage, sale or use. Packaging also revolves around the designing and building of the packaging products. Packaging is a coordinated approach that prepares products for distribution, sale and use. Packaging is an essential ingredient in business and, therefore, in many countries it integrates with management, business, commercial and personal use. When making packaging decisions, different factors come into play. The product physical feature for instance is essential. The physical characteristics of the product could either be liquid, solid or gas. The size or density of the materials is another crucial element considered when evaluating an appropriate packaging model. The ability of the materials to withstand exposure emanating from elements and respiration assist in determining the acceptable packaging means to be used. Some of the products used in disaster recovery might contain chemical substances. When determining the acceptable packaging technique, it is necessary to consider whether the chemical substance is compatible to products. It is necessary to create awareness to consumers with regards to the characteristics of the products (Liebmann, Schreib, Schlözer & Majschak 2012). Objectives of packaging and handling materials Physical protection Products more often than not require protection from various elements. If products interact freely with all elements in the environment, there is a high possibility that the products will not be stable. The elements that disrupt the products in disaster prone areas include; vibration, temperature, electrostatic discharge, moisture, mechanical shock, and compression among others. Barrier protection is a spur of packaging which depends on the product design. For some products, exposure to water vapor or other gases often referred to as permeation is a threat as it leads to destruction of the product. Some packaging models include oxygen absorbers or desiccants that help in extending the shelf life of the products. Containment or agglomeration applies for small objects. This packaging technique usually groups together the small objects and eases up material handling. Liquids, powders and materials in the form of powdered particles will require containment. Efficiency while dealing with small objects ensures that the objects handling process is easier. For example, it would be easy for humanitarian organizations to expedite pencils in batches of 1000 as compared to handling 1000 single pencils. Packaging seeks to ensure that there is reliable information transmission. Various organizations use packaging as a mode of communication on the desired use of the product. The packages and labels describe how to use, transport, dispose and recycle the product. Through the packages, the organizations notify the potential consumers of the product on any dangers that may result on product misuse commonly used by with pharmaceuticals. Marketing is another goal accomplished by packaging. Packaging is a tactic to entice potential users to use the product. Through the help of lucrative graphic designs and advanced physical designs packaging now is appropriate. Both marketing and communication antics use the label of the product located on the surface of the package. Packaging can be used to reduce the security threat during shipment or transportation of the product. Modernization has enhanced the development of appropriate packaging models that help reduce vulnerability. For example, the tamper resistant and tamper evident packaging tremendously helps deter and evidence tampering. Seals presently indicate pilferage thus ensuring that the products remain safe. Packaging also includes authentication seals, which help to prove that the contents are not counterfeit. In addition, electronic surveillance tags currently used in various exit points in retail stores prevent loss arising from theft. Packaging adds convenience while handling, distributing, displaying, opening, and disposing as well as recycling the product. Material handling refers to the movement of products within a short distance usually in the confines of the plant or building. Material handling currently uses equipment that eases up the tasks required. In addition to using forklifts or the pallet jack, packaging methods ensure that the material handling task is doable. Small objects are for illustration packed together to improve relevant material handling. Material handling ensures that fragile items can be stack into a bundle with minimal or no breakages. Proper handling of materials minimizes pilferage as it implies more security. In addition, mechanical devises used in material handling substitute for hand labor and this amounts to saving more organizational resources. Packaging inefficiencies Packaging inefficiencies have detrimental consequences and logistical consequences which include; increased loss, damage increase, ineffective materials handling, higher storage costs, and increased transportation costs. The substantial disadvantage attributed to material handling is the fact that, products might be in large bundles that would be of little value to the retailers dealing in smaller quantities. Warehousing A warehouse is mainly a commercial building used for the storage of goods. Manufacturers, importers, retailers, exporters, wholesalers, customs and transporters can all use warehouses. Warehouses are downright buildings and require large room for them to be constructed, and therefore many of them settle city outskirts that are accessible for development. Warehouses have loading locks used to load and unload goods from trucks or ships. Cranes and forklifts are necessary in warehouses to facilitate easy moving of goods in the warehouse. Goods stored in the warehouse range from raw materials, spare parts, components or finished goods awaiting sale or consumption. Warehousing refers to the organizations logistic system that facilitates storage of products between the point of origin and the point of sale or consumption. Over the years, warehousing has evolved and now entails value adding services. Theses services include; custom labeling, promotional pack, price marking, knitting for building, sorting and grouping products and show assembly, as well as packaging (Bock 2011). Warehousing activities in the disaster stricken regions is critical. Warehousing ensures that the stored commodities will be safe and free from any kind of tampering. The stored goods are in turn used to relieve the prevailing living conditions therefore resolving disasters. Warehousing encompasses various activities including, receiving goods, identifying the products and dispatching the goods for storage. Holding the stock, picking the products, marshaling the goods for shipment, dispatching the shipment are all activities in a warehouse (Iyengar, Rao & Goldsby 2012). An operating system is usually in place to ensure that the activities flow cohesively. Receiving the goods into the warehouse entails acceptance of the goods from an attached plant or transportation company. On arrival, inspect the products and compare with the bill of lading, verify the amount, check for any transit damages and if necessary, inspect the goods. When dispatching the goods for storage, documentation is important. Holding the stock provides protection against temperature, explosives or any other factor that may damage the goods (Zevgolis, Mavrikos & Kaliampakos 2004). Goods picked from storage are available, and the current location forms part of the documentation. Checking for any missing items, correct items and any changes in the order information takes place once all the goods required are available. The order preparation involves all documents required for shipment and loading on the right vehicle securely. The operating system in the warehouse coordinates all activities and provides details as the need arises. With the operating system, information regarding the current amount at hand, the quantity in the warehouse and the quantity in dispatch as well as the location of stock available (Consuelos, Cárdenas & Zhang 2012). Humanitarian aid needs proper planning as a lot of aspects come into play. Warehouses yield different designs and the ones used for humanitarian aid should include distinctive features to accommodate a wide range of products. Distribution centers and transportation Transport is the movement of goods from one place to another. There is a collection of the available modes of transport which include; air, rail, cable, pipeline, water and space. Transport is a essential element in the business industry as it enhances trade. When dealing in humanitarian aid efforts, shipping is also a key element. This is because; transport ensures that support services will come to the disaster stricken areas as quickly as possible. When deciding on the suitable means of transport, it is vital to consider the infrastructure in place. This implies that it is only to use the means of transport with the available infrastructure. In addition, urgency should also be considered when dispatching humanitarian aid. This is because; when addressing disaster, time is of the essence. The material in transit should also be considered when deciding on the suitable means of transport (Hurwitz, Heaslip & Moore 2012). When setting up the distribution centers, utility should be considered. This means that the distribution centers should be close to the warehouses, and this will ease the transport activities. Transport requirements also consider the cost factor. Transport will ensure that the staff required to provide the humanitarian aid is in place and time. When planning on how to tackle the humanitarian aid endeavors, transportation will be a crucial element. This is because; commodities will only be useful once delivered. This implies that the humanitarian aid program has to devise an established transportation system that will conform to place utility. Place utility asserts that commodities are of value once delivered and not while in the warehouse. The paramount challenge facing the transport sector is unacceptable infrastructure. The humanitarian aid will have to use the available infrastructure and plan well in advance to neutralize instances of lateness. In addition, one mode of transportation cannot be solely relied upon. For instance, it is not possible to rely on one mode of transport when there is a water body as well as dry land lying on the same travel route. The humanitarian aid has to come up with an appropriate strategy to integrate the different modes of transportation cohesively (Fries, Gahrooei, Chowdhury & Conway 2012). Coordination in logistics Depending on organizational design and organizational structure, logistics differs from one organization to another. Generally, logistics improves the organization's level of efficiency as it offers an insight into efficiency and effectiveness. It is noteworthy that logistics is labor intensive as it is dependent on human labor. Warehouses and the transport sectors heavily rely on human capital. This means that there is a need to promote a cordial relationship within human resource management and logistics. For logistics to do well and generate the desired results, it is essential that all aspects of the organization work hand in hand to achieve a common goal. Finally, corporate social responsibility directly relates to logistics. Organizations should ensure that the principle of logistics implemented conforms to the prevailing social responsibility (Hou Yang & Chen 2012). Conclusion It is evident that the humanitarian emergency aid is a whopping benefactor of logistics. Logistics ensures that appropriate planning, design and implementation of strategies takes place. This has a tremendous impact on the overall productivity of the organization. Logistics involves a number of activities that have to be in close coordination. In addition, logistics is a management ideology and intertwines various departments in the organizational setting. Delivery of the humanitarian emergency aid depends on three essential elements of utility. This includes the form, place and time utility which are achievable when logistics is in place. Logistics has received a radical boost in recent times from the use of computer software and other information technology tools. This will ensure that logistics will adapt to upcoming changes hence organizations will assimilate easily to the future changes. Reference list Bajec, P 2011, 'An analysis of the logistics innovation development process at logistics service providers', Scientific Papers Of The University Of Pardubice. Series D, Faculty Of Economics & Administration, 16, 22, pp. 5-18, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Bock, JG 2011, 'Humanitarian Aid and the Struggle for Peace and Justice: Organizational Innovation after a Blind Date', Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare, 38, 2, pp. 37-51, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Consuelos Salas, L, Robles Cárdenas, M, & Zhang, M 2012, 'Inventory policies for humanitarian aid during hurricanes', Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 46, 4, pp. 272-280, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Fries, R, Gahrooei, M, Chowdhury, M, & Conway, A 2012, 'Meeting privacy challenges while advancing intelligent transportation systems', Transportation Research: Part C, 25, pp. 34-45, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Hardemon, RA 2011, 'General Logistics Paradigm: A Study of the Logistics of Alexander, Napoleon, and Sherman', Air Force Journal Of Logistics, 35, 1/2, pp. 78-95, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Hou, J, Yang, S, & Chen, C 2012, 'An operator scheduling model for logistics service providers', Journal Of The Chinese Institute Of Industrial Engineers, 29, 8, pp. 544-558, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Hurwitz, D, Heaslip, K, & Moore, D 2012, 'Relating Transportation Systems Management and Operations Strategies to Policy Goals: A Framework for Quantitative Decision Making', Engineering Management Journal, 24, 3, pp. 32-42, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Iyengar, D, Rao, S, & Goldsby, T 2012, 'The Power and Centrality of the Transportation and Warehousing Sector within the US Economy: A Longitudinal Exploration Using Social Network Analysis', Transportation Journal (Pennsylvania State University Press), 51, 4, pp. 373-398, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Jensen, B 2005, 'Logistical Problems Marred Tsunami Relief Efforts', Chronicle Of Philanthropy, 17, 19, p. 39, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Liebmann, A, Schreib, I, Schlözer, R, & Majschak, J 2012, 'Practical Case Studies: Easy Opening for Consumer-Friendly, Peelable Packaging', Journal Of Adhesion Science & Technology, 26, 20/21, pp. 2437-2448, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Tine, GC 2005, 'Berlin Airlift: Logistics, Humanitarian Aid, and Strategic Success', Army Logistician, 37, 5, pp. 39-41, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Zevgolis, I, Mavrikos, A, & Kaliampakos, D 2004, 'Construction, storage capacity and economics of an underground warehousing – logistics center in Athens, Greece', Tunneling & Underground Space Technology, 19, 2, p. 165, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 13 January 2013. Read More