A leaner, meaner lifeline: How supply chain efficiency boosts the performance of humanitarian aid in Kenya
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Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025)
Keywords:
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supply chain efficiency, supply chain waste elimination, cost optimization, process improvement
Abstract
Purpose: This study examines how supply chain efficiency influences the performance of humanitarian aid organizations in Kenya, focusing on the moderating role of organizational characteristics such as size, age, and structure. Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from a census survey of 330 humanitarian organizations with qualitative insights from supply chain managers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and thematic content analysis to assess supply chain efficiency's direct and moderated effects on organizational performance. Results: Findings reveal that supply chain efficiency significantly impacts the performance of humanitarian aid organizations (β=0.547, p<0.05), accounting for 43.6% of the variance in performance. When organizational characteristics are included, the explanatory power increases to 66.5%. Qualitative analysis highlights that waste elimination, cost optimization, and robust internal controls are critical for improving efficiency. Corruption and diversion of resources were identified as key forms of waste, while mechanisms such as audits and checks and balances effectively mitigate these issues. Theoretical Contribution: The study extends the Theory of Constraints to the humanitarian context, demonstrating that addressing organizational bottlenecks and inefficiencies can substantially enhance aid delivery outcomes. It also integrates lean supply chain principles into the unique challenges of humanitarian logistics. Practical Implications: The results underscore the importance of adopting lean management practices, investing in modern supply chain technologies, and tailoring supply chain strategies to organizational characteristics. These actions can enhance responsiveness, accountability, and resource utilization, ultimately improving the impact of humanitarian operations in crisis settings.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
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Chirchir, S. K. (2018). Logistics management practices and organizational performance of dairy firms in Kenya (Dissertation, University of Nairobi).
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Clarke, P. K., & Campbell, L. (2018). Coordination in theory, coordination in practice: The case of the Clusters. Disasters, 42(4), 655-673. https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12282
Clarke, W. S. (2018). Learning from Somalia: the lessons of armed humanitarian intervention. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429499289
Cockton, G., Lárusdóttir, M., Gregory, P., & Cajander, Å. (2016). Integrating User-Centered Design in Agile Development. In Integrating User-Centered Design in Agile Development (pp. 1-46). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32165-3_1
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Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2017). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2017). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage publications.
Dubey, R., & Gunasekaran, A. (2016). The sustainable humanitarian supply chain design: agility, adaptability and alignment. International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications, 19(1), 62-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/13675567.2015.1015511
Dubey, R., Gunasekaran, A., Childe, S. J., Roubaud, D., Wamba, S. F., Giannakis, M., & Foropon, C. (2019). Big data analytics and organizational culture as complements to swift trust and collaborative performance in the humanitarian supply chain. International Journal of Production Economics, 210, 120-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.01.023
Dufour, É, Laporte, G., Paquette, J., & Rancourt, M. È. (2018). Logistics service network design for humanitarian response in East Africa. Omega, 74, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2017.01.002
Frennesson, L., Kembro, J., de Vries, H., Van Wassenhove, L., & Jahre, M. (2021). Localisation of logistics preparedness in international humanitarian organisations. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 11(1), 81-106. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-06-2020-0048
Goldratt, E.M. (1990). Theory of constraints: What is this thing called and how should it be implemented. The North River, Press Croton on Hudson NY.
Gorman, R. F. (2019). Private voluntary organizations as agents of development. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429303043
Gunasekaran, A., Papadopoulos, T., Dubey, R., Wamba, S. F., Childe, S. J., Hazen, B., & Akter, S. (2017). Big data and predictive analytics for supply chain and organizational performance. Journal of Business Research, 70, 308-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.08.004
Hassani, Y., Ceauşu, I., & Iordache, A. (2020, July). Lean and Agile model implementation for managing the supply chain. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence (Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 847-858). Sciendo. https://doi.org/10.2478/picbe-2020-0081
Hein, C., Behrens, F., & Lasch, R. (2020). Insights on the Costs of Humanitarian Logistics A Case Study Analysis. Logist. Res., 13(1), 3.
Holweg, M., Davies, J., De Meyer, A., Lawson, B., & Schmenner, R. W. (2018). Process theory: the principles of operations management. Oxford University Press.
Hugos, M. H. (2018). Essentials of supply chain management. John Wiley & Sons. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119464495
Isik, O., Unal, E. A., & Unal, Y. (2017). The effect of firm size on profitability: evidence from Turkish manufacturing sector. Journal of Business Economics and Finance, 6(4), 301-308. https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2017.762
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Nyile, E. K. (2025). A leaner, meaner lifeline: How supply chain efficiency boosts the performance of humanitarian aid in Kenya. Journal of Sustainable Development of Transport and Logistics, 10(1), 57–79. https://doi.org/10.14254/jsdtl.2025.10-1.4
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