Crisis Management and Logistics

Introduction

The course is part of the programme in security management and cultural understanding but can also be taken independently of this programme. Key theme is crisis management and logistics. An essential part in any crisis preparedness, response and recovery is the organization of supply chains and logistics to secure access to goods and services. The security concept in this course is first and foremost linked to supply security to reestablish and maintain societal supply security as international, national and (inter-) organizational levels. This requires establishing good logistics preparedness to respond when the crisis has occurred. Political instability and climate change result in more conflicts and natural disasters globally with huge consequences of more affected populations and economic destruction. The course covers causes and consequences of new security challenges for actors in the preparedness system including municipalities, government, non-governmental organizations, civil preparedness, defense, commercial companies, and funding agencies.

The course includes three main themes, starting with an overview of national and international context and the different actors involved in preparedness and response and the need for cooperation and coordination focusing logistics and supply. Then strategic crisis management including tools for risk- and preparedness analysis, logistics planning and set-up of preparedness for involved actors. The third and final module concerns logistics operations, and operational crisis management.

The first theme introduces key concepts and provides an overview of crisis management, historical development, and trends. The participants get an introduction to conceptual frameworks for mapping logistics and supply chains. The different actors’ roles in crisis preparedness and response are presented. International and national coordination and cooperation are discussed and problematized.

The second theme goes through key elements in development of good preparedness including risk and vulnerability analysis, preparedness analysis and strategies for development of logistics preparedness.

The third theme concerns activities in an operation from planning and needs assessment, procurement, and mobilization of physical, financial, and human resources for logistics tasks including transport, storage, reporting and distribution. The participants apply their knowledge in a table-top simulation. Operative crisis leadership particularly accounting for ethical dilemmas in the field is also covered.

The course will support participants in acquiring abilities to work with developing and implementing sustainable crisis prepared and response in different contexts. Through relevant tools, knowledge and understanding the course aims to provide participants with a good basis for handling new crises, whether at organizational, national, or international level. The course is rooted in Bis overall aim of preparing human resources and organizations for an international. Digital and sustainable future. It covers crisis management and logistics at global and national level, in public, private and voluntary sectors; it analysis the relationship between global and local challenges and relate to Sustainable Development Goals number 3, 6, 9, 16 and 17.

Course content

Module 1: Arena

• Key terms, historical development and trends
• National and international context, frameworks, preparedness principles
• Framework for mapping supply chains and logistics
• Different actors’ role in the Norwegian preparedness system  - civil defence, voluntary organizations, non-governments and multi-lateral organizations, government, municipalities, private companies and defense
• Case-discussion: Coordination – challenges and solutions
• Paradigm shift in crisis management
• Research methods for crisis logistics

Module 2: Preparedness

• ROS-analysis
• Preparedness analysis
• Development of logistics preparedness: needs estimation, strategic planning and selection of logistics strategies
• Case assignment: strategic planning
• Supervision of term paper

 Moduel 3: Response

• Logistics activities in response – operations management
• Ethical dilemmas in crisis leadership
• Process from needs assessment to moblisation and demobilization of financial, material, and human resources
• Table-top simulation: Operative crisis management
• Crisis management and leadership
• Logistikkaktiviteter i respons – hvordan lede operasjoner
• Local responsers’ role in crisis management
• Supervision of term paper