Abstract
Despite the evolution of logistics research towards qualitative methods such as case studies, there is still a great important number of quantitative studies in the logistics and supply chain management discipline and this is particularly true in humanitarian logistics. This chapter addresses this issue, not by explaining when or why case study research should be used in humanitarian logistics, but rather explaining how it was used to conduct an in-depth case study with one international humanitarian organization: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) France. The chapter explains thoroughly the process of conducting this case study as a mean of sharing an experience, and sheds a light on some of the key aspects to take into account in order to get the most of this method.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
- 1.
For a thorough description of the actual case study, please refer to Vega (2016).
- 2.
The logistics facility is considered as a branch of the French section and the perspective from this facility can vary from that of the staff from the headquarters.
References
Beamon, B. M. (2004). Humanitarian relief chains: Issues and challenges. Proceedings of the 35th International Conference on Computers & Industrial Engineering, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Beamon, B. and Kotleba, S. (2006). Inventory management support systems for emergency humanitarian relief operations in South Sudan. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 17(2), 187–212.
Bucholtz, M. (2000). The policies of transcription. Journal of Pragmatics, 32, 1439–1465.
Cook, G. (1990). Transcribing infinity. Journal of Pragmatics, 14, 1–24.
Davidson, C. (2009). Transcription: Imperatives for qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(2), 35–52.
Dean, A. and Sharp, J. (2006). Getting the most from Nud*ist/Nvivo. The Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 4(1), 11–12.
Denzin, N. K. and Lincoln, Y. S. (2005). Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research, in N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln (eds), The Sage handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Ellram, L. M. (1996). The use of the case study method in logistics research. Journal of Business Logistics, 17(2), 93–138.
Flyvbjerg, B. (2006). “Five Misunderstandings About Case-Study Research.” Qualitative Inquiry, 12(2), 219–245.
Gioia, D. A. and Pitre, E. (1990). Multiparadigm perspectives on theory building. Academy of Management Review, 15(4), 548–602.
Gralla, E., Goentzel, J. and Fine, C. (2016). Problem Formulation and Solution. Production and Operations Management, 25(1), 22–35.
Guba, E. G. and Lincoln, Y. S. (1989). Fourth generation evaluation. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Halldorsson, A. and Aastrup, J. (2003). Quality criteria for qualitative inquiries in logistics. European Journal of Operational Research, 144(2), 321–332.
Handfield, R. B. and Melnyk, S. A. (1998). “The scientific theory-building process: a primer using the case of TQM.” Journal of Operations Management, 16(4), 321–339.
Jahre, M. and Jensen, L.-M. (2010). “Coordination in humanitarian logistics through clusters.” International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 40(8/9), 657–674.
Kovács, G. and Spens, K. M. (2005). “Abductive reasoning in logistics research.” International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 35(2), 132–144.
Kunz, N. and Reiner, G. (2012). A meta‐analysis of humanitarian logistics research. Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 2(2), 116–147.
Leech, N. L. and Onwuegbuzie, A. J. (2011). Beyond constant qualitative data analysis: Using Nvivo. School Psychology Quarterly, 26(1), 70–84.
Manuj, I. and Mentzer, J. T. (2008). Global supply chain risk management strategies. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 38(3), 192–223.
Mentzer, J. T. and Kahn, K. B. (1995). A framework of logistics research. Journal of Business Logistics, 16(1), 231–250.
Meredith, J., Raturi, A., Gyampah, K. and Kaplan, B. (1989). “Alternative research paradigms in operations.” Journal of Operations Management 8(4), 297–326.
Miles, M. B. and Huberman, M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Neuman, W. L. (2007). Social research methods: Quantitative and qualitative methods, 2nd Edn. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Ochs, E. (1979). Transcription as theory. In E. Ochs and B. B. Schiefflin (eds), Developmental pragmatics (pp. 43–72). New York: Academic.
Oloruntuba, R. and Gray, R. (2006). Humanitarian aid: An agile supply chain? Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 11(2), 115–120.
QSR. (2008). Nvivo 8 fundamentals: Starting to work with your material. QSR International.
Schulz, S. and Blecken, A. (2010). Horizontal cooperation in disaster relief logistics: Benefits and impediments. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 40(8/9), 636–656.
Siggelkow, N. (2007). Persuasion with case studies. Academy of Management Journal, 50(1), 20–24.
Stock, J. R. (1997). Applying theories from other disciplines to logistics. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 27(9–10), 515–539.
Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. Sage: Newbury Park, CA.
Tomasini, R. M. and Van Wassenhove, L. N. (2009). From preparedness to partnerships: Case study research on humanitarian logistics. International Transactions in Operational Research, 16, 549–559.
Vega, D. (2016). Exploring logistics competences and capabilities in non-for-profit environments: The case of Medecins Sans Frontières. In Kovács et al. (ed.), Supply Chain Management for Humanitarians, Kogan-Page.
Voss, C., Tsikriktsis, N. and Frohlich, M. (2002). Case research in operations management. International Journal of Operations and Production Management, 22(2), 195–219.
Walker, H. and Harland, C. (2008) E‐procurement in the United Nations: Influences, issues and impact. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 28(9), 831–857.
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case Study Research – Design and Methods, 4th Edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Acknowledgments
The author would like to acknowledge Bruno Delouche, Philippe Cachet, David Vicqery, and the staff from MSF Logistique and the MSF headquarters in Paris, and professors Nathalie Fabbe-Costes and Marianne Jahre for their support and guidance for this case study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2018 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Vega, D. (2018). Conducting In-Depth Case Studies in Humanitarian Logistics: The Case of MSF. In: Kovács, G., Spens, K., Moshtari, M. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59099-2_6
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59099-2_6
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-137-59098-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-137-59099-2
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)