Towards a humanitarian logistics knowledge management system

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to offer a conceptual model and an associated taxonomy to support the development of a body of knowledge in support of the logistic response to a natural or man-made disaster. Design/methodology/approach - Based on a literature review, the paper outlines the difficulties associated with the logistic response to a disaster, before discussing a generic approach to knowledge management. The literature review is then used to identify two potential models (the Supply-Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) and the UK Defence Lines of Development (LOD)), which are then further developed and integrated in order to underpin a knowledge taxonomy. Findings - The paper proposes a model that combines.both the SCOR and LOD models into a unified approach as a first step towards the development of a broad-ranging reference source to support humanitarian logisticians and, thereby, improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the response to future disasters. Research limitations/implications - As a first step towards the creation of a knowledge taxonomy, this conceptual paper does not attempt to validate the model, but it proposes an approach by which this could be undertaken. Practical implications - Given the plethora of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the broadest sense of this categorization, and also recognizing the varied nature of their aims, objectives and approaches, the paper pays particular attention to the need to develop a model that can be supported by the NGO community as a whole. Originality/value - The paper proposes an improved model to support the development of a body of knowledge in support of the logistic response to a natural or man-made disaster.