Seminar abstract
Studies of humanitarian supply chain operations contribute to efficient system designs for the delivery of goods and services to disaster- and conflict-stricken regions.
However, our understanding of what happens to these relief goods and services after they are delivered is quite limited.
Using a case study of the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan, we develop a theory of informal supply networks, whereby we uncover how refugee-led, informal supply networks emerge in the camp.
We find that these supply networks are an aggregate of predominantly illicit, yet legitimate, channels and social relationships that support the economic exchange of goods and services between distinct actors or actor groups.
We not only identify the cultural conventions and behavioural codes that govern ties between refugees, and between refugees and relief-related actors, but also define how these networks are configured.
Considering these findings, we contend that the informal economic activities emanating from the refugee camp benefit the host community and enhance the resilience of the informal supply networks. As informal economic activities also improve the quality of life in the camp, camp authorities and host country governments should attend to informal activities as they create rules and policies for refugee resettlement.
How to attend
This seminar is free to attend with no need to register in advance.
Please join this seminar online on Wednesday 20 October at 1pm (BST)
We welcome you to join with your friends, colleagues and classmates
Speaker bio
Zhaohui Wu is a Professor of Supply Chain and Operations Management at the College of Business, Oregon State University, USA.
His research interests are in the area of supply networks, environmental management strategy in operations, alternative/sustainable food systems and agricultural cooperatives.
He is an Associate Editor of several leading journals in operations and supply chain management, such as;
- Journal of Operations Management (FT-50),
- Journal of Supply Chain Management,
- Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management,
- Decision Sciences Journal.
He is one of the renowned scholars in operations and supply chain management field, and has published several papers in leading journals such as;
- Journal of Operations Management (JOM),
- Journal of Supply Chain Management (JSCM),
- Journal of Business Logistics,
- Industrial Marketing Management,
- Journal of Business Research etc.
He has also been awarded the “Best paper of the year award” from JSCM and the “Best paper runner up, The Jack Meredith Best Paper Award” from JOM