Performance Management in Humanitarian Logistics: Development of a Process-driven and IT-supported Performance Measurement System

Widera, Adam

Abstract

Logistics and supply chain management are considered as the backbone of humanitarian operations, significantly influencing their performance. Consequently, it is not surprising that the academic community addressed performance measurement in humanitarian logistics early on and extensively. However, there exists a significant disparity between the academic findings on performance measurement and their practical implementation within humanitarian organizations. What factors contribute to this gap, and how can we bridge it? This book aims to provide a socio-technical solution through an action researchbased approach that designs and develops a process-driven and IT-supported performance management system for humanitarian logistics. By utilizing an iterative and participatory design methodology, an active involvement of humanitarian organizations in identifying and addressing their practitioner realities, needs, and objectives is ensured. The resulting performance management system has been designed, implemented, and evaluated within three distinct and representative humanitarian organizations. As a result, these research findings hold promise for enhancing the capabilities of humanitarian organizations to measure and manage logistics performance effectively.

Keywords
Humanitarian Logistics; Performance Measurement; Balanced Scorecard; Action Research; Simulation