Transport management practices and logistics performance of humanitarian organisations in Kenya

Abstract

The concept of Supply chain management has received increasing attention from academicians, consultants, and business managers alike. Specific drivers for the increasing popularity may be traced to trends in global sourcing, an emphasis on time and quality-based competition, and their respective contributions to greater environmental uncertainty. The study focused on answering the following research questions; what transport management practices are being used in humanitarian organisations in Kenya? Is there any relationship between transport management practices and logistics performance of humanitarian organisations? The Research design used was descriptive design. The population of study comprised of all the humanitarian logistics firms that make appeals for assistance and are actually involved in the distribution of the aid received to the intended beneficiaries. The study used primary data which was collected using a questionnaire and data was analysed using descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. The study concluded that any set of performance metrics should represent performance indicators in the logistics chain, include financial and control elements, distinguish between different levels in the organisation, indicate the relationship between logistics functions and be capable for use as a calculation model in order to obtain quantifiable results. The study recommends that an education, teaching, training and research network that can initiate and/ or consolidate educational programmes in humanitarian logistics in the country, leading to a variety of competencies and qualifications should be developed together with a development of a humanitarian logistics network that brings together participants from industry, government and academia to develop specialized systems for humanitarian logistics.