From preparedness to coordination: operational excellence in post-disaster supply chain management in Africa

Abstract

Preparation and coordination have come to dominate discourse on operational excellence in post disaster supply chain management. In this paper we explore the critical success factors (CSF) of operations excellence in post-disaster operations management in Africa, using in-depth interviews with disaster management practitioners. Available studies have often focussed on the commercial supply chains, but rarely on the critical success factors in service excellence in post disaster management operations in Africa. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews and desk-top data collection techniques from disaster management experts in Ghana a number of factors were identified. Employing thematic data analysis technique, these factors were categorised into eight (8) themes: management and administration, resources, political, governance structure, socio-cultural, education and training, infrastructure, and stakeholder involvement and co-operation.

Keywords:

• Humanitarian operations
• Supply Chain Management
• Africa
• Ghana
• politics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Botchie

David Botchie is a Lecturer in Lecturer in Sustainability and Global Value Chains, and the Pathway Leader for MSc International Business at Brunel University Business School. He areas include: Global Value Chains and Production Networks; Inclusive innovation and technology management; SME Growth and Enterprise Development; Gender and poverty outcomes and Agribusiness and household food security issues. His recent research has appeared in journals such as: Technological Forecasting and Social Change, R and D Management, Science and Public Policy, Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Project Management Journal. He has also worked as a consultant for various international organisations including the World Bank, United Nations Development Programme, and Food and Agricultural Organisation.

Isaac Sakyi Damoah

Isaac Sakyi Damoah is a Project Management Lecturer at Bournemouth University (BU). Prior to joining BU, Isaac had held lectureship and principal positions in various colleges in UK. Isaac has research interests in Public Sector Policy and Programme/Project Management Performance and their Effects on Stakeholders; Humanitarian Operations Management; and Public Administration; and has published in many journals such as Journal of Small Business Management, Project Management Journal, International Journal of Managing Projects in Business; International Journal of Banking, Accounting and Finance, and International Journal of Construction Management.

Ishmael Tingbani

Ishmael Tingbani is a Senior Lecturer in Finance at the Bournemouth Business School. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Economics and Sociology), MBA Banking and Finance, Chartered Banker MBA from the Bangor University and a PhD in Finance from the Bournemouth University. He is also a Chartered Banker (ACIB) and an affiliate member of Chartered Institute of Bankers UK and Charted Institute of Financial Analyst (CFA). He has extensive teaching and industrial experience in the area of finance in and outside the UK. His lecturing has included economics and finance. His research interests include working capital, SME finance and growth, energy economies, bank efficiency, risk and stock market reforms, fiscal and monetary policies on economic growth.