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Case Study Research in Humanitarian Logistics: Challenges and Recommendations for Action

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Smart and Sustainable Supply Chain and Logistics – Trends, Challenges, Methods and Best Practices

Part of the book series: EcoProduction ((ECOPROD))

Abstract

Providing help to people in need is the responsibility of society and does not exclude logistical issues. Especially in this area of logistics research, a strong practical orientation is of great importance. Case study research is often seen as a suitable instrument to bridge the gap between research and practice and is therefore particularly recommended. However, since the contextual influences in humanitarian operations are very diverse, this research method is exposed to specific challenges. There is a lack of a systematic consideration of these challenges and a comprehensive guideline for researchers. Therefore, this chapter aims at systematically identifying and categorizing the challenges in conducting case study research in the context of humanitarian logistics. Practical recommendations for the application of this research method will be developed to overcome these obstacles. To achieve the research objectives, a mixed-method approach was chosen. First, a systematic literature review was carried out. In addition, six interviews with experts were conducted, all of whom have extensive experience in the field of case study research in the context of humanitarian logistics. The recommendations for action are based on a qualitative and deductive methodology. The results of the study show that four characteristics of humanitarian logistics represent unique challenges for case study research and must therefore be considered particularly: the dynamic environment, the political as well as the international context, and the general complexity.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. TU Dresden, Chair of Business Management, esp. Logistics, 01062, Dresden, Germany

    Christian Hein, Nora Eichhorn & Rainer Lasch

Authors
  1. Christian Hein
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  2. Nora Eichhorn
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  3. Rainer Lasch
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian Hein .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznań University of Technology, Poznań, Poland

    Paulina Golinska-Dawson

  2. Department of Logistics Management, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Kune-Muh Tsai

  3. Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznań University of Technology, Poznań, Poland

    Monika Kosacka-Olejnik

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Hein, C., Eichhorn, N., Lasch, R. (2020). Case Study Research in Humanitarian Logistics: Challenges and Recommendations for Action. In: Golinska-Dawson, P., Tsai, KM., Kosacka-Olejnik, M. (eds) Smart and Sustainable Supply Chain and Logistics – Trends, Challenges, Methods and Best Practices. EcoProduction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61947-3_14

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