Determinants of Effective Logistics Performance in Humanitarian Organizations: A Case of Kenya Red Cross Society

Abstract

Disasters are on the upsurge and are becoming more complex and at the same time donor support is increasingly unpredictable. To survive in their operations, humanitarian agencies are looking for more efficient and effective solutions.  One of these solutions lies in the discovery that flexible but efficient supply chains are needed. This makes high demands on procurement operations. Within disaster relief logistics, procurement accounts for 65% of total expenditures. Despite its significance, literature does not specifically focus on problems related to disaster relief procurement, which creates the need to examine this topic further, from theory as well as from practice. This study sought to find out how humanitarian logistics can be made more effective in Kenya. More specifically, the study sought to find out how procurement planning, high impact collaborations, resource mobilization and professionalism affect logistics performance. This study targeted a population of 73 managers, team leaders, supervisors and field coordinators from KRCS in Nairobi. A census approach was used. Correlation findings indicated that procurement planning, professionalism; high impact collaborations and resource mobilization had a positive and significant correlation with effective logistics performance in humanitarian organizations in KRCS. The study recommends that KRCS should allocate budgets that are inclusive to all aspects in strategic plans. There is also need for Kenya Red Cross to prepare budget to accommodate contingencies. Moreover, humanitarian organizations should provide professional training on logistics matters for procurement staff.

Keywords: Professionalism, High impact collaborations, Resource Mobilization, Procurement planning, Effective Humanitarian logistics