Course program
Spring (V)12
MTTN45/TFRN60
- Humanitarian Logistics
Course responsible:
Professor Marianne Jahre
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Welcome to the course
Why would you want to choose this course?
 You want to work abroad in challenging contexts
 The humanitarian world needs good logisticians
 The course combines practice and theory with teachers who practiced as logisticians in the Tsunami, Pakistan, Haiti,..
 It is the first time this course is offered at LTH
 It is an interactive course with lectures and case discussions
 No exam, but project task to be handed in at end of course
 ….you’d like to do something different Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must:
 be able to use theories, models and tools to describe, analyse and evaluate supply chains in a humanitarian context.
This means that the students will have:
 an overall picture of specifics about the humanitarian context and how this (may) impact on the design of the supply chain
 an understanding of the relationships between key elements in the supply chain and how to use it in this particular context
 capacity to understand, explain, and compare a set of specific models for managing the humanitarian supply chain
 and understanding of how to measure performance and implement changes to improve overall supply chain efficiency
 basic knowledge of information and documentation requirements
Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must independently be able to:
 methodically analyse needs and how they impact on supply chain design
 use established technical terms to communicate and discuss supply chain related issues in the humanitarian context
 put into practice models and tools presented in the course
 use reference literature and scientific publications to analyse, evaluate and develop solutions
Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must:
 have acquired self-confidence and deeper insight into the humanitarian logistics area
 be confident with methods to be used for the analysis of humanitarian supply chains
 be able to apply critical thinking to humanitarian logistics problems
 have developed their interest in humanitarian logistics issues
 have improved their insight into the role of logistics in the humanitarian context
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MTTN45 - Humanitarian Logistics: Lp 2, V12 for - 7,5 ECTS
Contents
The humanitarian context: actors, activities and resources involved in disaster relief; designing, managing and measuring supply chains;
sourcing and procurement; outsourcing and cooperation with logistics service providers, coordination needs and means; infrastructure,
transportation and warehousing; trends in logistics/SCM strategies and structures.
Credits: 7,5 Grading scale: TH Cycle: A
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English
Course coordinator/s: Professor Marianne Jahre
E-mail: marianne.jahre@tlog.lth.se
Recommended prerequisites: MTT105/F01 Logistics, MTTN01 Logistics in the Building Process or minimum 3 years of experience working
with logistics
Assessment: To qualify for a final grade, the student must have completed a compulsory project and cases. Evaluation of course
performance is based on the project and participation in class. Parts: 2.
Home page: http://www.tlog.lth.se
Aim
The course will give students fundamental and advanced knowledge about humanitarian logistics and the design, management and
measurement of supply chains in the humanitarian context with focus on disaster preparedness and response. The scope of the course is to
provide an overview of the specific context of humanitarian logistics and a set of important available concepts, models and tools. The
course will furnish an understanding of the important role of logistics and supply chain management in the humanitarian context. It will also
convey the knowledge and skills to methodically analyse needs, and consequently to design, manage and measure the supply chain.
The proposed approach is designed to give the participants specific information that they can add to their general logistics knowledge, to
better understand how humanitarian logistics operates. This can provide the basis for the participant to become involved in, and hopefully
improve, humanitarian logistics as a practitioner, supplier or researcher.
Content
Lectures and facilitation:
Student work: (project task/reading/case)
Examiner
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47 hours
153 hours
Marianne Jahre
Course responsible
Marianne Jahre - easiest to reach by e-mail.
Phone: +4746410475 (Norway)
E-mail: marianne.jahre@tlog.lth.se
Course lecturers
From industrial management and logistics
MJ
Marianne Jahre
marianne.jahre@tlog.lth.se
AP
Ala Pazirandeh
ala.pazirandeh@tlog.lth.se
JK
Joakim Kembro
joakim.kembro@tlog.lth.se
From
HvD
IH
DD
Everywhere Humanitarian Response and Logistics Services
Hetty van Doorn
Hetty.vanDoorn@everywhereservices.org
Ian Heigh
Ian.Heigh@everywhereservices.org
Dan Dieckhaus
Dan.Dieckhaus@everywhereservices.org
Guests
Svein Hapnes, Senior Business Analyst (SCM), UNHCR GSC, Budapest, hapnes@unhcr.org
Alexander Blecken, Procurement Specialist at UNICEF, Copenhagen, alexander.blecken@gmail.com
Course secretary
Högskolesekr. Jessica Arvidsson
Phone: 046 - 222 9151
E-mail: Jessica.Arwidsson@tlog.lth.se
Department of Industrial Management and Logistics
M-house offices
4 vån (3rd floor).
For mail:
Teknisk logistik, LTH, Box 118, 221 00 Lund
For visits:
Ole Römers väg 1
Fax:
046 - 222 4615
Website:
www.tlog.lth.se
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Relevant information
To be found in the website of the department. Click "Courses", then go to lp 4 and click on the course name. In order to have full access to
all information about the course, you need a password which is hl_student, Password: MTTN45
Literature
Articles provided by the department (at course website) ahead of course. There may be additional articles, case, presentations handed out
during the course.
Depending on students’ previous education and experience, we recommend one or more of the following books as a basis:
Tomasini, R. and van Wassenhove, L. (2009) Humanitarian Logistics, INSEAD Business Press and Palgrave Macmillan, UK
Simchi-Levi, D., Kaminsky, P. and Simchi-Levi, E. (2004) Managing the supply chain: The definitive guide for the business professional,
McGraw-Hill
Christopher, M. (2010) Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 4th edition, Financial Times Prentice Hall
Compulsory course components
1. Project task: You must attend all discussions/presentations.
2. Cases and participation in class: You must attend all presentations and discussions.
3. Lectures: In principle all lectures are compulsory and you must apply to the course responsible in case you cannot attend.
Evaluation and grading
Project task
Cases and participation in class
weight 67% (5 ECTS)
weight 33% (2,5 ECTS)
Project Task
By independently choosing and working with projects, the students are trained in small groups in identifying, theorizing, analyzing and
understanding problems related to humanitarian logistics and supply chains. Information sources will be internet, reports, etc. and they can
choose between issues related to supply chain design, management and measurement.
Cases and participation in class
In the assignment/case studies, the students will work in groups to analyze and solve cases and to write and orally present and participate in
discussions.
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Schedule (Can be due to change)
Module
Date
Time
Place
Subject
Responsible
HvD/MJ
1
13.03
09-12
Mx2(a+b)
Structure & content of the course
Humanitarian Context and activities
2
14.03
08-12
MD
Strategic & tactical planning
Hand-out of IFRC-case
IH/MJ
3
14.03
13-17
MD
Accountability and performance measurement
MJ
4
15.03
13-17
MD
Sourcing & procurement
AP/MJ
5
20.03
08-12
ME
International Transport & use of 3PL in principle and practice
SH/MJ
6
20.03
15-17
Mx2(a+b)
Course responsible available for supervision. Students work with
project task part 1.
MJ
7
27.03
8-12
M:E
Warehousing & materials management
JK
8
24.04
08-12
ME
Distribution mechanisms in principle and practice
MJ
9a
24.04
15-17
MD
Coordination in principle
MJ
9b
25.04
15-17
MD
Coordination and accountability in practice
HvD
10a
08.05
08-12
Mx2(a+b)
Main Case 1
IH/ DD/HvD MJ
10b
09.05
08-12
MD
Main Case 2
IH/ DD/HvD MJ
10c
10.05
08-12
Mx2(a+b)
Main Case 3
IH/ DD/HvD MJ
11
10.05
15-17
Mx2(a+b)
Student project presentations
MJ
st
6
13.03 – 08.05
Read, prepare for lectures and work with project. Hand-in 1 part
15.4. Hand-in 2nd part 10.5.
Work with IFRC-case, hand-in 8.5.
Students/
MJ
Normal teaching hours: starts 15 minutes past announced timing. Each teaching ‘hour’ is 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes
break, but this may be adjusted to fit with the content and structure and will be informed accordingly.
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Project Task (67%)
With basis in the teaching materials (literature, report(s), lectures and mini-cases/examples) for each module, students are to form groups
of 4 and make reflection notes on what you have learnt and how this can be used in future work in the humanitarian context. This task
constitutes 2 hand-ins and 1 presentation.
Part 1 (25%):
The objective is: identify issues and challenges for each module 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 and how theoretical concepts, models and tools suggested in
the according literature can be applied.
The deliverables are: Document in Word-format handed in electronically. Reasonable length per module is 2-3 type-written pages on paper
size A4, with line spacing of 1 ½ lines. Recommended layout is 5 cm left margin, 1 cm right margin, 2 cm at the top of the page and 3 cm at
the bottom. All pages must be numbered. An abstract should be provided as well as a table of contents directly following the front page.
Hand-out 13th March, Hand-in 15th April by e-mail to marianne.jahre@tlog.no. In addition you are to individually fill in the evaluation forms
for each module and hand in together with the reflection note.
Part 2 (25%):
The objective is: identify issues and challenges for each module 8 and 9 and how theoretical concepts, models and tools suggested in the
according literature can be applied. In addition you are to summarise the course overall, presenting an overview of modules 1-9 and how you
see they are linked as well as providing feedback on the course itself according to a given format handed out.
The deliverables are: Document in Word-format handed in electronically. Reasonable length per module/summary is 2-3 type-written pages
on paper size A4, with line spacing of 1 ½ lines. Recommended layout is 5 cm left margin, 1 cm right margin, 2 cm at the top of the page
and 3 cm at the bottom. All pages must be numbered. An abstract should be provided as well as a table of contents directly following the
front page. Hand-in 10th May by e-mail to marianne.jahre@tlog.no. In addition you are to individually fill in the evaluation forms for each
module and the overall course and hand in together with the reflection note.
Presentations (17%):
The students will make a presentation of one module each and hand in power-point slides with facilitator notes. Groups will be selected for
presentation on 10th May.
Case assignments (33%)
Case 1: 14th March-8th May. Case 2: Interactive exercise with compulsory participation and deliverables 8th-10th May.
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Module 1: INTRODUCTION: THE COURSE & THE HUMANITARIAN CONTEXT (3hrs)
Learning Objective:
Students should have an overall picture of specifics about the humanitarian context and how this is linked to humanitarian logistics and
supply chain management in disaster response.
Topics:




The course outline with modules and concepts
SCM in Disaster Response
The humanitarian context - trends and challenges
The operational context – doing logistics in the field
Literature:
Compulsory articles:
 GHA Report 2011, Global Humanitarian Assistance, Development Initiatives, UK,
http://www.globalhumanitarianassistance.org/report/gha-report-2011
 Beiser, V. (2010) Organizing Armageddon: What We Learned From the Haiti Earthquake, Wired Magazine, 19th April.
 Majewski, B., Navangul, K.A. and Heigh, I. (2010) A Peek into the Future of Humanitarian Logistics: Forewarned is Forearmed, Supply
Chain Forum: An International Journal, 11(3), 4-20.
Film:
Inside Disaster: Part 1: Emergency (50 mins)
Recommended readings:
Tomasini and van Wassenhove (2009) Chapter 1 & 2; Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 1 & 9; Christopher (2010) Chapter 1, 10 & 14
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Module 2: STRATEGIC & TACTICAL PLANNING (4hrs)
Learning Objective:
Students should have an understanding of strategic and tactical planning in the humanitarian context and how this (may) impact on disaster
response performance.
Topics:




Main resources needed and activities (process) undertaken in humanitarian supply chains
Preparedness/Response/Recovery: Strategic and tactical planning in practice – examples
The permanent and temporary supply chain and links with preparedness, response and recovery
Design principles: Agility, Adaptation and Alignment: pull versus push applications in disaster response.
Literature:
Compulsory articles:
 Lee, H.L. (2004) The Triple-A Supply Chain, Harvard Business Review, October, 102-112.
 Jahre, M. and Heigh, I. (2008) Does the Current Constraints in Funding Promote Failure In Humanitarian Supply Chains? Supply Chain
Forum: An International Journal, 9(2), 44-54.
Case:
Jahre, M. (2008) The Organisational Change of Logistics in International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - A Case
Study, Unpublished, BI Norwegian School of Management.
IFRC Logistics (2010) Logistics 2015. Strategic Plan 2011-2015. Providing Service to deliver Strategy 2020. IFRC, Geneva.
Recommended readings:
Tomasini and van Wassenhove (2009) Chapter 3; Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 2, 3 & 4; Christopher (2010) Chapter 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8
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MODULE 3: ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT (4hrs)
Learning Objective:
Students should understand the importance of accountability in the humanitarian sector, how it links with visibility and transparency and
how performance measurement can support accountability.
Topics:
 The importance of accountability - benefits
 How to ascertain accountability - challenges
o The Humanitarian Principles – Defining the Humanitarian Space
o Importance of information for accountability
o Evaluations – basis for accountability
 Example of evaluating disaster response – lessons learned from Haiti
 How performance measurement can support accountability
 Improving supply chain performance through measurements
Literature:
Compulsory articles:
 Persson, G. (1995) Logistics Process Redesign: Some Useful Insights, The International Journal of Logistics Management, 6(1), 13-26.
 Hofman, D. (2007) Supply Chain Measurement: Turning Data into Action, Supply Chain Management Review, November, 20-26
Recommended readings:
Tomasini and van Wassenhove (2009) Chapter 5; Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 8; Christopher (2010) Chapter 2 & 3
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Module 4: SOURCING & PROCUREMENT (4hrs)
Learning Objective:
Students should know how to work with sourcing and procurement strategy and process in the humanitarian context with particular focus on
new developments such as local sourcing, supplier relationships, framework agreements and procurement centres.
Topics:
 Sourcing and procurement process in the humanitarian context
o Determining specifications in the humanitarian context
o Selecting suppliers in the humanitarian context
o Contracting and negotiation in the humanitarian context
o Ordering in the humanitarian context
o Follow-up and supplier evaluation in the humanitarian context
 Global vs. Local sourcing strategies
 Supplier relationship management
 UN procurement and cooperation in procurement
Literature:
Compulsory articles:
 Jahre, M. and Spens, K. (2007) Buy Global Or Go Local –That’s The Question!, Proceedings from the 1st conference of humanitarian
logistics November CCHLI, UK
 Thomas, A. and Fritz, L. (2006) Disaster Relief, Inc., Harvard Business Review, November.
 International Trade Center (2001) Humanitarian and Development Procurement - A Vast and Growing Market, International Trade
Forum, available at: http://www.tradeforum.org/Humanitarian-and-Development-Procurement---A-Vast-and-Growing-Market,
(accessed February 2012)
Recommended readings:
Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 6 & 7; Christopher (2010) Chapter 9 & 10
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Module 5: INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT & 3PL (4hrs)
Learning Objective:
Students shall have a set of tools for working with transport strategy and process in the humanitarian context, focusing new developments
such as 3PL and development of relationships with service providers, transport contracting and use information technology as well as choice
of alternative transport modes.
Topics:




Use of commercial service providers – reporting from previous research
Relationship development and transparency
Transport tendering, contracting and management in humanitarian practice
Specific challenges of using LSPs in humanitarian practice
Literature:
Compulsory articles:
 Hammervoll, T. and Bø. E. (2010) Shipper-carrier integration – Overcoming the transparency problem through trust and
collaboration, European Journal of Marketing, 44(7/8), 1121-1139.
 Fabbe-Costes, N., Jahre, M.and Roussat, C. (2008) Towards a Typology of the Roles of Logistics Service Providers as ‘Supply Chain
Integrators’, Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 9(2), 28-43.
Recommended readings:
Tomasini and van Wassenhove (2009) Chapter 7; Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 5; Christopher (2010) Chapter 11 & 13
Module 6: SUPERVISION AND STUDENT WORK (2hrs)
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Module7: WAREHOUSING & MATERIALS MANAGEMENT (4hrs)
Learning Objective:
Students shall have a good understanding of warehousing and materials management in the field in the humanitarian context – planning,
receiving, maintenance and distribution of stock.
Topics:
 Prepositioning and inventory management
 The levels of warehousing: global, national and per operation
 Risk pooling
 Forecasting, uncertainties and safety stock
 Field solutions
Literature:
Egan, M.J. (2010) Private goods and services contracts: Increased emergency response capacity or increased vulnerability?, International
Journal of Production Economics, Vol. 126, 46-56.
Recommended readings:
Tomasini and van Wassenhove (2009) Chapter 3; Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 2 & 4; Christopher (2010) Chapter 4 & 10
Interactive exercise
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Module 8: DISTRIBUTION MECHANISMS IN PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE (4hrs)
Learning Objective:
Students should understand challenges in disaster relief distribution, the various solutions to overcome the challenges and important issues
to take into considerations.
Topics:
 Distribution in the humanitarian context: truck/airdrop/using water-based, collections and cash
 Planning for distribution: coordination and cooperation with communities (humanitarian versus military and commercial)
 Distribution modes – fleet management; packaging
 Safety and security
 Quality and accountability
Literature:
Compulsory articles:
 Martinez, A.J.P, Stapleton, O. and van Wassenhove, L. (2011) Field vehicle fleet management in humanitarian operations: A
casebased approach, Journal of Operations Management, Vol.29, 404-421
Film:
Insidedisaster.com: Part 2: Relief (50 mins)
Recommended readings:
Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 8; Christopher (2010) Chapter 2
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Module 9a+b: COORDINATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY (2*2hrs)
Learning Objectives:
Students should understand the needs for and possible solutions to coordination challenges and how this links with accountability, neutrality
and impartiality.
Topics:
 Coordination and cooperation in preparedness and response
 Challenges of coordination and the mechanisms suggested to solve them
 Q&A on working in the humanitarian world
 Division of tasks and roles, accountability and coordination – introduction to interactive exercise
 Interactive exercise
Literature:
Compulsory articles:
 Jahre, M. and Jensen, L-M. (2010) Coordination in Humanitarian Logistics Through Clusters, International Journal of Physical
Distribution and Logistics Management, 40(8/9), 657-674
Recommended readings:
Tomasini and van Wassenhove (2009) Chapter 4, 5 & 6; Simchi-Levi et al. (2004) Chapter 10; Christopher (2010) Chapter 11 & 12
Interactive exercise
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Module 10a+b+c: MAIN CASE (3*4hrs)
Module 11: PRESENTATIONS OF PROJECTS (2hrs)
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