Using an Integrated Humanitarian Supply Chain EPR System to Improve Refugee Flow Management:A Conceptual Framework and Validation

Abstract

Effective coordination of relief efforts of organizations in the Humanitarian Supply Chain (HSC) is a challenge facing various organizations and stakeholders. Despite the importance of information sharing along the HSC, limited previous studies attempted to develop feasible information systems capable of facilitating the effective resource planning and inter-organizational coordination for better relief actions. This study proposes an integrated HSC Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that utilizes the capabilities of the existing Maritime Transport Security Information Systems so as to improve lean operations of HSCs, and to optimize resources planning and usage during the stochastic assignment of accepting refugees and accommodating them in their journey to safer destinations. This paper introduces the conceptual framework of this integrated ERP system and validates the feasibility of this framework in the context of the Greek refugee crisis, involving perspectives of stakeholders in the Greek refugee crisis.