Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Kenneth D. Gossett

Abstract

Managers of the United Nation’s humanitarian operations are under rigid pressure to deliver their programs efficiently due to 75% of supply chains experiencing disruptions, accounting for 60 to 80% of the expenses due to limited funding and increasing scrutiny by member states. Humanitarian operations are inextricably linked to the performance of a supply chain. Therefore, if the supply chain managers in the United Nations (UN) fail to understand and adopt dynamic capabilities, they can experience operational underperformance, affecting trust from financial supporters. Grounded on dynamic capability theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies that executive supply chain managers of the UN use to leverage operational efficiencies in a peacekeeping program. The research participants comprised nine UN staff members in leadership positions who have successfully developed and implemented strategies resulting in operational efficiencies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and relevant organizational public documents. Three themes emerged during the data analysis process, analytical, innovation, and knowledge management; effective supply chain leadership; and risk management, resulting in several strategies to be considered to operationalize humanitarian aid more efficiently. A key recommendation includes the application of analytical, innovative, technological capabilities and effective leadership that fosters accountability, change management, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and partnerships. Conclusively, an efficient supply chain can help the UN to meet its global sustainable goals, thus improving social well-being and achieving a sustainable future for everybody.

Download

Included in

Business Commons

Share

 
COinS