Last Mile Logistics and Service Delivery in Disaster Response Among Humanitarian Organizations in Kenya
Abstract
Response to disaster globally has been a challenge despite their upward trend. The
study’s general objective was to establish how the last mile logistics affect service
delivery. The study’s specific objectives were to determine the last mile logistic practices
in disaster response among the humanitarian organizations in Kenya, and to determine
the effects of last mile logistics on service delivery in humanitarian organizations in
Kenya. The study was based on transactional cost theory and network theory. Crosssectional
research design was applied in the study on a population of 850 INGOs and
6500 NGOs operating in Kenya as at 30th June 2020. Stratified sampling was used to
choose a sample of 99 humanitarian organizations that were a representation of the
population. Primary data that was gathered using structured questionnaires addressed to
the supply chain managers of the selected INGOs and NGOs was utilized in this study.
The questionnaire was tested for validity and reliability before application in the study.
Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used to analyse the collected data. The
study findings established that humanitarian organizations engaged in various last mile
logistics practice including partnering with other organizations, outsourcing of key last
mile logistics processes and adopting best practices. The last mile logistics services
mostly outsourced include material handling services, warehouse management services,
management of inventory, management of transportation and ordering of materials and
services. While outsourcing these last mile logistics services, the humanitarian
organizations considered various vendor factors which included financial strength,
experience, range of services provided by the vendor, cost of the logistics services
provided, reliability, security and safety, and convenience. The humanitarian
organizations mostly partnered with government ministries, agencies or departments,
donors, not for profit organizations, and private sector organizations. The study
determined that last mile logistics had a significant positive effect on operational
efficiency, reputation and timeliness in service provision by the humanitarian
organizations in Kenya. The study concludes that the surveyed humanitarian
organizations had attained operational efficiency, reputation, and timeliness in service
provision. On the effect of last mile logistics on service delivery of humanitarian
organizations, the study concludes that last mile logistics were essential for operational
efficiency, reputation and timeliness in service provision by the humanitarian
organizations in Kenya. The study made the following recommendations. First, the study
recommends all parties in the last mile logistics supply chain to be engaged the planning
stage to improve coordination. The study also recommends that humanitarian
organizations should plan, communicate and orchestrate the supply chain at each node to
benefit from cost savings and efficiency, particularly in regard to last mile delivery of
humanitarian products and services.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
- School of Business [1311]
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