DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Disaster Management Using Supply Chain



Disaster Management Using Supply Chain

Introduction

Supply chain refers to the production and distribution process involved in the raw material suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, retailers and ultimately consumers and other members with the upstream and downstream members of the connection (linkage) composition of the network structure. That is, the material acquisition, material processing and finished products to customers in the hands of companies involved in this process and the corporate sector consisting of a network. Examples of competitive priorities are low cost, quality, on time delivery.

It is a network of distribution facilities and facilities whose function is based on the raw material, converting them into intermediate and finished products for distribution in the market. In other words, it can be said that the management of supply chain focuses on three basic steps which includes the provision, manufacture and distribution.

Supply Chain Management

A moderately novel management procedure that had great momentum in the past decade and which had generated significant cost reductions by allowing companies, greater higher profits and competitiveness (Arntzen 1995, 69). In the new millennium, competition occurs between supply chains rather than between individual companies. The management of the supply chain revolves around the efficient integration of retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and suppliers in this way is achieved substantially reduce costs and at the same time improve customer service levels.

The management of the supply chain covers the following areas: telecommunications, information technology, strategic alliance, purchasing, inventory management, warehousing and network logistics as vital fundamentals in decision making and communication. Companies that want to succeed need to streamline their processes in all areas.

The extreme strategic importance of supply chain management for the competitiveness of businesses is evident in all sectors. At the same time, the gap between the average companies and leading companies such as Wal-Mart, Toyota, and Tesco becomes greater with the passage of time. The best are getting better and faster in almost all industries (Arntzen 1995, 69).

Overview of Disasters

There are two categories of disasters: man-made disasters and natural disasters. The man-made disasters are the results of the actions of the humans while the natural disasters are caused by natural hazards. The disasters can be classified in expected timings like floods or unexpected timings such as earthquakes and expected place like hurricanes or unexpected place such as tsunamis (Beamon 1996, 2).

Man-Made

Natural

Slow Onset

Political Crisis, Refugee Crisis

Famine, Drought

Sudden Onset

Terrorist Attacks, Chemical Leaks

Hurricanes, Floods, Earthquakes, Tsunamis

Table 1 Disaster Categorization and Examples

Whichever disaster strikes, its management typically follow four different chronological steps: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. The process of mitigation is applying the necessary measures to assist in preventing or reducing the disaster's hazards. Mitigation is different from the other steps as it focuses on measures which are long-term for the elimination or reduction of risks. The process of preparedness assists in preparing for the response when the disaster happens (Beamon 1996, 2). The response step covers the actions to mobilize emergency services and responders in the region which has been ...