Teaching areas
Strategic issues in logistics.
Design and development of supply systems with particular focus on conceptual frameworks.
Supply chain risk management
Crisis management, preparedness and response
Disaster relief/humanitarian logistics
The turbulent business environment highlights the need for strategies for mitigating, responding to, and recovering from (that is, managing) supply chain disruptions. Resources are central in these strategies but remain unspecified in the literature. This paper shows how the resource interaction approach (RIA) can help understanding resources in this setting by acknowledging their interactive and networked nature. Based on a conceptual discussion that compares key assumptions within the supply chain risk management (SCRM) and supply chain risk resilience (SCRes) literatures with the RIA, we propose an alternative approach to strategies for managing supply chain disruptions. We challenge the SCRM and SCRes literatures by emphasizing interdependence (as opposed to independence) and pointing to relationships as key resources in strategies for managing supply chain disruptions. Collaboration relying on an interplay between temporary and permanent organizing is suggested as a starting point instead of being just one of several alternative strategies.
Frennesson, Lina; Kembro, Joakim, de Vries, Harwin, Jahre, Marianne & Van Wassenhove, Luk (2022)
“International humanitarian organizations’ perspectives on localization efforts”
The humanitarian sector has formulated a collective strategic intent to localize. This involves delegating responsibilities and transferring capacities and resources to national and local actors. However, progress is slower than expected. Strategy execution is hard, and translating a general strategic intent to the actual way humanitarian organizations operate is not obvious. To suggest remedies for the slow progress, this paper investigates drivers and barriers for international humanitarian organizations (IHOs) to localize their logistics preparedness capacities. It is essential to understand IHOs' perspectives as they are global and powerful actors in the humanitarian sector and by far represent the largest recipients of donor funds. We focus on logistics since it constitutes key activities of strong local contextual character, such as procurement, warehousing, and transport. By interviewing practitioners from a representative set of large IHOs, and connecting the empirical insights with relevant theory, we unravel reasons that hinder localization. These include IHOs' strategic choices due to context-sensitive benefits of localization, mandated expectations on IHOs, the lack of internal drivers for IHOs to localize, and resistance to localize due to IHOs’ desire and motives for continued engagement in humanitarian aid. Based on these insights, actionable propositions are developed to help accelerate progress toward localization.
van Oorschot, Kim; Van Wassenhove, Luk N., Jahre, Marianne, Selviaridis, Kostas & de Vries, Harwin (2022)
Drug shortages: A systems view of the current state
The objective of this thought leadership article is to create a systems view of drug shortages based on the perceptions of practitioners and policymakers. We develop a comprehensive framework describing what stakeholders are currently doing when faced with drug shortages and show the outcomes of their actions. In a review of practitioner literature and public reports published from 2010 to 2020, we identify cause-and-effect relationships related to generic drug shortages in six high-income European countries (Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK) in normal times. By combining and connecting data from these different sources, we develop a systems view of the current state. Though several of the associations covered in the systems view are well known, putting them all together and considering their interrelationships is what is offered by this research. Based on this systems view, we derive three basic solution archetypes for drug shortages: (1) let the market handle it; (2) search for alternatives; and (3) bend the rules. The interactions between these archetypes generate causal ambiguity making it harder to understand and solve the problem as the side effects of solutions can be missed. We show how the interaction of archetypes can compromise intended behavior or escalate unintended behavior. However, our systems view allows us to suggest higher-level solution archetypes that overrule such side effects. The basic and higher-order solution archetypes can provide baselines for research and support the development of future interventions.
This research explores supply resilience through an equifinality lens to establish how buying organizations impacted differently by the same extreme event can strategize and all successfully secure supply. We conduct case study research and use secondary data to investigate how three European governments sourced for ventilators during the first wave of COVID-19. The pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the ventilator market. It disrupted already limited supply and triggered a demand surge. We find multiple paths to supply resilience contingent on redundant capacity and local sourcing options at the pandemic's onset. Low redundancy combined with limited local sourcing options is associated with more diverse strategies and flexibility. The most notable strategy is spurring supplier innovation by fostering collaboration among actors in disparate industries. High redundancy combined with multiple local sourcing options is associated with more focused strategies and agility. One (counter-intuitive) strategy is the rationalization of the supply base.
The recent debate on urban vibrancy and its associated spatial characteristics worldwide has increasingly attracted the attention of planners and decision-makers in Norway and the European Union seeking to develop compact cities. This study investigated the spatial pattern of urban vibrancy associated with urban form and the determinants in Oslo, Norway. A total of 552 km2 of the Oslo central metropolitan area was classified into 12 neighborhood groups and a data-driven methodology was applied via SPSS, Python, and ArcGIS to analyze urban vibrancy, where each cell was denoted as a 1 km2 area of 24 variables. As a result of clustering via principal component analysis, six principal components were extracted with 12 critical factors. Results indicated that the location and distribution of commercial buildings, public buildings, residential buildings, and companies and the total population are the most important drivers of neighborhood vibrancy in Oslo. Vibrant neighborhoods usually appear in high-density, central urban areas with a high concentration of commercial and public buildings with various functions along main streets. In contrast, less vibrant neighborhoods have fewer service facilities and are surrounded by single residential areas, large venues, green spaces, vacant land, or land for transportation in the low-density suburban and semi-urbanized areas. This research offers a quantitative basis for a wider range of neighborhood performance assessments, provides a discussion of compact city theory, and draws the attention of decision-makers on planning policy at the neighborhood level, which can also be adapted to other European cities.
Ahlqvist, Victoria; Dube, Nonhlanhla, Jahre, Marianne, Lee, Jin Soo, Melaku, Tsegaye, Moe, Andreas Farstad, Olivier, Max, Selviaridis, Kostas, Viana, Joe & Årdal, Christine Oline (2022)
Supply chain risk management strategies in normal and abnormal times: policymakers' role in reducing generic medicine shortages
This paper links supply chain risk management to medicine supply chains to explore the role of policymakers in employing supply chain risk management strategies (SCRMS) to reduce generic medicine shortages. Using secondary data supplemented with primary data, we map and compare seven countries’ SCRMS for handling shortage risks in their paracetamol supply chains before and during the first two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Consistent with recent research, the study finds that policymakers had implemented few SCRMS specifically for responding to disruptions caused by COVID-19. However, shortages were largely avoided since multiple strategies for coping with business-as-usual disruptions had been implemented prior to the pandemic. We did find that SCRMS implemented during COVID-19 were not always aligned with those implemented pre-pandemic. We also found that policymakers played both direct and indirect roles. Combining longitudinal secondary data with interviews sheds light on how, regardless of the level of preparedness during normal times, SCRMS can be leveraged to avert shortages in abnormal times. However, the problem is highly complex, which warrants further research Supply chain professionals and policymakers in the healthcare sector can use the findings when developing preparedness and response plans. The insights developed can help policymakers improve the availability of high-volume generic medicines in (ab)normal times. We contribute to prior SCRM research in two ways. First, we operationalize SCRMS in the medicine supply chain context in (ab)normal times, thereby opening avenues for future research on SCRM in this context. Second, we develop insights on the role policymakers play and how they directly implement and indirectly influence the adoption of SCRMS. Based on our findings, we develop a framework that captures the diverse roles of policymakers in SCRM.
van Oorschot, Kim E.; Wassenhove, Luk N. van & Jahre, Marianne (2022)
Collaboration–competition dilemma in flattening the COVID-19 curve
Testing for COVID-19 is a key intervention that supports tracking and isolation to prevent further infections. However, diagnostic tests are a scarce and finite resource, so abundance in one country can quickly lead to shortages in others, creating a competitive landscape. Countries experience peaks in infections at different times, meaning that the need for diagnostic tests also peaks at different moments. This phase lag implies opportunities for a more collaborative approach, although countries might also worry about the risks of future shortages if they help others by reallocating their excess inventory of diagnostic tests. This article features a simulation model that connects three subsystems: COVID-19 transmission, the diagnostic test supply chain, and public policy interventions aimed at flattening the infection curve. This integrated system approach clarifies that, for public policies, there is a time to be risk-averse and a time for risk-taking, reflecting the different phases of the pandemic (contagion vs. recovery) and the dominant dynamic behavior that occurs in these phases (reinforcing vs. balancing). In the contagion phase, policymakers cannot afford to reject extra diagnostic tests and should take what they can get, in line with a competitive mindset. In the recovery phase, policymakers can afford to give away excess inventory to other countries in need (one-sided collaboration). When a country switches between taking and giving, in a form of two-sided collaboration, it can flatten the curve, not only for itself but also for others.
Jahre, Marianne & Jensen, Leif-Magnus (2021)
Coordination at the 10-year mark of the JHLSCM–from global response to local preparedness
Purpose At the inception of the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management (JHLSCM), logistics coordination was identified as important, both in practice and research, but few studies on the topic had been published. Ten years later, many, if not most, papers in the journal mention the topic. So the picture has changed, but to what extent? This paper discusses how coordination research has followed humanitarian logistics practice and vice versa. Design/methodology/approach The point of departure in the present article is the most salient topic from the study’s original papers (Jahre et al., 2009; Jahre and Jensen, 2010). The authors discuss how these topics have developed in research and practice. A recent literature review (Grange et al., 2020) enables us to pick relevant papers from JHLSCM and supplement them with more recent ones. The authors complement this approach with updated data on the cluster system, particularly the logistics cluster, to add insights from the empirical domain. Findings In practice, the cluster concept has developed from coordination within clusters in response to the inclusion of inter-cluster coordination in preparedness, and more recently a focus on localized preparedness. However, JHLSCM research does not appear to have kept pace, with a few notable exceptions. The majority of its papers still focus on response. To the extent that preparedness is covered, it is primarily done so at the global level. Originality/value The authors use a framework to discuss humanitarian logistics coordination research and identify important gaps. Based on developments in practice, the study’s key contribution is a revised model with suggestions for further research.
de Vries, Harwin; Jahre, Marianne, Selviaridis, Kostas, Van Oorschot, Kim & Van Wassenhove, Luk N. (2021)
Short of Drugs? Call Upon Operations and Supply Chain Management
International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 4(10), s. 1569- 1578. Doi: 10.1108/IJOPM-03-2021-0175
Purpose –This “impact pathways”paper argues that operations and supply chain management (OSCM) could help address the worsening drug shortage problem in high-income countries. This significant societal problem poses difficult challenges to stakeholders given the complex and dynamic nature of drug supply chains. OSCM scholars are well positioned to provide answers, introducing new research directions for OSCM in the process. Design/methodology/approach –To substantiate this, the authors carried out a review of stakeholder reports from six European countries and the academic literature. Findings–There is little academic research and no fundamental agreement among stakeholders about causes of shortages. Stakeholders have suggested many government measures, but little evidence exists on their comparative cost-effectiveness. Originality/value –The authors discuss three pathways of impactful research on drug shortages to which OSCM could contribute: (1) Developing an evidence-based system view of drug shortages; (2) Studying the comparative cost-effectiveness of key government interventions; (3) Bringing supply chain risk management into the government and economics perspectives and vice versa. Our study provides a baseline for future COVID-19-related research on this topic
Frennesson, Lina; Kembro, Joakim, de Vries, Harwin, Van Wassenhove, Luk N. & Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Localisation of Logistics Preparedness in International Humanitarian Organisations
Purpose – To meet the rising global needs, the humanitarian community has signed off on making a strategic change toward more localisation, which commonly refers to the empowerment of national and local actors in humanitarian assistance. However, to this date, actual initiatives for localisation are rare. To enhance understanding of the phenomenon, the authors explore localisation of logistics preparedness capacities and obstacles to its implementation. The authors particularly take the perspective of the international humanitarian organisation (IHO) community as they are expected to implement the localisation strategy. Design/methodology/approach – A phenomenon-driven, exploratory and qualitative study was conducted. Data collection included in-depth interviews with 28 experienced humanitarian professionals. Findings – The findings showed the ambiguity inherent in the localisation strategy with largely different views on four important dimensions. Particularly, the interviewees differ about strengthening external actors or internal national/local offices. The resulting framework visualises the gap between strategy formulation and implementation, which forms major obstacles to the localisation aims. Research limitations/implications – Further research is required to support the advancement of localisation of logistics preparedness capacities. Important aspects for future research include triangulation of results, other stakeholder perspectives and the influence of context. Practical implications – The authors add to the important debate surrounding localisation by offering remedies to overcoming obstacles to strategy implementation. Further, the authors’ proposed framework offers a language to precisely describe the ways in which IHOs (should) view localisation of logistics preparedness capacities and its operationalisation. Originality/value – To the best of authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first academic article on localisation within the humanitarian logistics context.
Ahlqvist, Victoria; Norrman, Andreas & Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Supply Chain Risk Governance: Towards a Conceptual Multi-Level Framework
The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is currently putting high pressure on most countries’ critical infrastructures (not only health care), creating huge uncertainties in supply and demand, and disrupting global supply chains. The global crisis will demonstrate the extent to which different parties (countries, public authorities, private companies etc.) can work together and take holistic decisions in such situations. A core question in supply chain management asks how independent decision-makers at many levels can work together and how this joint work can be governed. Supply chain risk management (SCRM), however, has focused mostly on how focal private companies apply SCRM processes to identify, analyse and mitigate risk related to upstream and downstream flows in their supply networks. At the same time, interorganisational collaboration to handle diverse risks is always needed. A risk that hits one organisation often affects other, interconnected organisations. This study aims to develop the term supply chain risk governance with an associated conceptual framework that embraces various types of supply chains and actors. In a cross-disciplinary literature study, we dissect, compare and combine risk governance with interorganisational aspects of SCRM and find that the mechanisms suggested in the risk governance literature coincide with many of those in SCRM. We suggest a combination of these to govern risk processes at an inter-organisational level, regardless of the type of organisation included in the supply chain. This would be suitable for critical infrastructures that often contain a mixture of private and public actors. The scope of the literature employed is limited, and some articles have played a larger role in the framework development. The paper explores new territory through this cross-disciplinary study, extends existing multi-level frameworks with inter-organisational governance mechanisms and proposes new governance mechanisms to the field. This study could support the understanding of how critical infrastructures in our society are governed so as to increase their resilience to both smaller and larger disruptions.
Jahre, Marianne & Jahre, Martine (2018)
Logistics Preparedness and Response: A Case of Strategic Change
Villa, Sebastien; Urrea, Gloria, Castaneda, Jaime Andres & Larsen, Erik R. (red.). Decision-making in Humanitarian Operations: Strategy, Behavior and System Dynamics
Purpose – An unprecedented scale of human migration has lead humanitarians to view camps as long-term settlements rather than temporary holding facilities. The purpose of this paper is to increase the understanding of and identify challenges with this proposed new approach to camp design. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the camp design literature, the authors developed an interview guide and checklist for data collection. A multi-site case study and within- and cross-case analysis was then conducted. Findings – The findings suggest that the proposed new approach is implemented only to a limited extent, and mostly in a stepwise manner. As camps mature, there is a shift toward the new approach, but most camps are established using the traditional top-down, temporary, and isolated approach. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on four camps in four different countries and do not provide an exhaustive global coverage. Practical implications – The insights the authors derived and the challenges identified from the empirical evidence can be used to better plan future camps. Social implications – The results can support improvements in camp design, thus alleviating suffering for both refugees and host communities, particularly in developing countries. In particular, the trade-off between a permanent solution and the temporary must be accounted for. Originality/value – The study contributes to the literature by developing and proposing a conceptual framework to camp design. The cross-case analysis provides an initial understanding and categorization of challenges with implementing the new approach. It also suggests an evolutionary perspective of camp design
Traditionally, international humanitarian organisations have used on-demand dispatch of disaster relief goods from regional logistics units (RLUs) for sudden onset disaster response. This paper investigates the improvements in efficiency and resilience of disaster relief operations by combining the existing method of onshore prepositioning of relief items in RLUs with offshore prepositioning of relief items on-board vessels and at seaport terminals. The problem is formulated as a linear programming model that incorporates different logistical costs, including inventory cost, replenishment cost, and transportation cost, to find the best combination of disaster relief methods. At the tactical level, the model determines how much and where disaster relief items need to be prepositioned. At the operational level, the model addresses how much and by which mode of transport the disaster relief items need to be transported to disaster points. The model is tested on 16 major disasters in Southeast Asia. The main finding is that offshore prepositioning can contribute to cost reduction and resilience without compromising on the speed or the scale of the response. The results also suggest that the benefits depend on the duration of the disaster emergency period and the ratio of offshore storage cost to onshore storage cost.
Vega, Diego & Jahre, Marianne (2017)
Case studies in Humanitarian Logistics Research
Hellström, Daniel; Kembro, Joakim & Bodnar, Hajnalka (red.). NOFOMA 2017 The 29th NOFOMA Conference: "Taking on Grand Challenges"
Jahre, Marianne (2017)
Den viktigste logistikken - beredskap og respons i humanitære kriser
Hafting, Tore (red.). Krisehåndtering, planlegging og handling
Jahre, Marianne (2017)
Humanitarian supply chain strategies – a review of how actors mitigate supply chain risks
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 7(2), s. 82- 101. Doi: 10.1108/JHLSCM-12-2016-0043
Jahre, Marianne (2016)
On a logistical mission
Taylor, Linnea; Zalis, Marina Castro & Crespo, Patricia Veiga (red.). The XX factor
Jahre, Marianne; Pazirandeh, Ala & Van Wassenhove, Luk N. (2016)
Defining logistics preparedness: a framework and research agenda
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 6(3), s. 372- 398. Doi: 10.1108/JHLSCM-04-2016-0012
Sohrabpour, V.; Hellström, D. & Jahre, Marianne (2012)
Packaging in developing countries: identifying supply chain needs
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 2(2), s. 183- 205. Doi: 10.1108/20426741211260750
Jahre, Marianne; Dumoulin, Luc, Greenhalgh, Langdon, Hudspeth, Claudia, Limlim, Philip & Spindler, Anna (2012)
Improving health in developing countries - reducing complexity of drug supply chains
Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 2(1), s. 54- 84. Doi: 10.1108/20426741211226000
Uganda is one of many African countries struggling to develop adequate healthcare, particularly at the last mile of local treatment and regards access to drugs. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to understanding of how reduced supply chain complexity can improve health in developing countries.Based on a study and evaluation that included 50 interviews and 27 site visits of the public healthcare system in Karamoja, north-east Uganda, a mapping of drug supply chains was undertaken to identify causes of stocks-outs and possible solutions. A model for logistics process redesign is used for the analysis and results quantified. The main conclusion is that less supply chain complexity leads to lower costs while also reducing stock-outs because better integration between information and goods flows shortens lead-times and improves efficiency. While the empirical study is extensive, there are uncertainties in the data that must be taken into account. The effects of the suggested solutions remain to be analysed and documented upon implementation.The study was rooted in a practical problem and provides practical solutions in terms of quick wins and more long-term changes to solve problems with stock-outs of life-saving drugs. The paper provides an understanding as to the applicability of traditional logistics principles in a context characterized by lack of health system infrastructure, financial resources, capacity and competence and contributes with much needed in-depth understanding of humanitarian logistics reality to the academic community
Jahre, Marianne & Persson, Kurt Gøran (2011)
Logistikk og Ledelse av forsyningskjeder (ch.3), in Persson, G. and Virum, H. (eds.) Logistikk og ledelse av forsyningskjeder, Gyldendal Akademisk
Persson, Kurt Gøran (red.). Logistikk og ledelse av forsyningskjeder
Jahre, Marianne; Bygballe, Lena Elisabeth & Grønland, Stein Erik (2011)
Logistikk i Praksis (ch.4), in Persson, G. and Virum, H. (eds.) Logistikk og ledelse av forsyningskjeder, Gyldendal Akademisk
Persson, Kurt Gøran (red.). Logistikk og ledelse av forsyningskjeder
Jahre, Marianne & Flygansvær, Bente M. (2011)
Logistikk og Miljø (ch.17), in Persson, G. and Virum, H. (eds.) Logistikk og ledelse av forsyningskjeder, Gyldendal Akademisk
Persson, Kurt Gøran (red.). Logistikk og ledelse av forsyningskjeder
Jahre, Marianne & Jensen, Leif-Magnus (2010)
Coordination in humanitarian logistics through clusters
International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 40(8-9), s. 657- 674. Doi: 10.1108/09600031011079319
Jahre, Marianne (2010)
Field Logistics and Logistics in the Field - Undertaking a mission or performing research in humanitarian logistics
Supply Chain Forum: an International Journal, 11(3)
Bankvall, Lars; Bygballe, Lena, Dubois, Anna & Jahre, Marianne (2010)
Interdependence in supply chains and projects in construction
Interventions to mitigate medicine shortages in (ab)normal times – the case of paracetamol
[Academic lecture]. POMS.
de Vries, Harwin; Jahre, Marianne, Selviaridis, Kostas, Van Oorschot, Kim & Van Wassenhove, Luk N. (2021)
A review of scientific and grey literature on medicine shortages and the need for a research agenda in Operations and Supply Chain Management
[Report]. BI Norwegian Business School.
High-income countries are facing a significant and worsening drug shortage problem. This position paper argues that operations and supply chain management (OSCM) could (and perhaps should) be used more widely to help address this issue: 1) the problem has significant societal impacts, 2) it poses complex questions for stakeholders and finding answers is challenging due to the complex and dynamic nature of drug supply chains, 3) OSCM scholars are well positioned to provide answers, and 4) the problem introduces fundamentally new research directions for OSCM. To substantiate this, we carried out a review of key stakeholder reports from six European countries and a systematic review of academic literature. These show that there is no real agreement among stakeholders about what causes the shortages and that there are few academic studies that examine this. We also show that stakeholders have suggested many different government measures – ranging from ‘reshoring production’ to revising procurement policies and increasing stock levels – but that there is little research that provides evidence on their comparative cost-effectiveness. Based on our findings, we discuss three promising research directions to which our discipline could contribute.
Gooding, Emily & Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Secondary Data Collection Report – COVID Task Force
[Report]. BI Norwegian Business School.
Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Expanded partnerships - Supply Chain Management
[Academic lecture]. Seminar.
Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Bedre forberedt neste gang?
[Academic lecture]. Seminar Senter for Helseledelse.
Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Pushing the Boundaries of Agility (Workshop)
[Academic lecture]. Health and Humanitarian Logistics Conference.
Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Hvordan sikre forsyningskjeder mot neste krise?
[Popular scientific article]. BI Business Review
Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Hvordan lykkes med kriselogistikk
[Popular scientific article]. Logistikk & Ledelse
Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Hvordan sikre forsyningskjeder mot neste krise?
[Popular scientific article]. BI Business Review
Jahre, Marianne (2020)
Logistikk kan redde liv
[Popular scientific article]. BI Business Review
Jahre, Marianne; Nord, Lina, Kembro, Joakim, de Vries, Harwin & Van Wassenhove, Luk N. (2019)
Understanding Localization of Logistics Preparedness