Sustainable Humanitarian Logistics Optimization—A Hub Concept for Germany Based on the Shapley Value

Abstract

This research paper aims to demonstrate an innovative cooperation logistics concept for different humanitarian logistics phases, namely preparedness, response and recovery in particular for the response phase. Starting of the present lack of cooperation among actors in humanitarian relief chains worldwide the authors argue to build a cooperation logistics concept for German humanitarian organizations by using the Shapley value and showing the allocation of savings among possible partners of a centralized humanitarian distribution hub. The achieved savings and reduction of the logistics costs should be used for investment in relief goods and therefore in saving more lives as well as serving more beneficiaries in disaster cases. Furthermore, the cooperation between different humanitarian organizations would ensure the transit time of the required delivery time of 24/48 h and significantly would reduce transport and logistics costs because of bundling synergies.