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Case Article—Humanitarian Supply Chains and Inventory Management: Planning Medical Supply at the International Committee of the Red Cross

Author

Listed:
  • Bublu Thakur-Weigold

    (Department of Logistics Management, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland)

  • Vera Tilson

    (Department of Operations Management, Simon Business School, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627)

  • Dessislava A. Pachamanova

    (Department of Mathematics, Analytics, Science & Technology, Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts 02457)

  • Samah El Sayed Mohamad

    (International Committee of the Red Cross, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

This case is based on an actual project with the International Committee of the Red Cross. The rich context allows instructors to cover important topics in inventory management, supply chain management, and humanitarian logistics at a level appropriate for different student backgrounds. At a foundational level, the case presents opportunities to practice concepts like cycle stock, safety stock, and service level. Technical audiences can appreciate applications of machine learning and optimization for inventory management. Practice-oriented audiences learn about the challenges of applying commercial operations metrics and heuristics like ABC analysis to humanitarian logistics. Realistic data and models are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Bublu Thakur-Weigold & Vera Tilson & Dessislava A. Pachamanova & Samah El Sayed Mohamad, 2025. "Case Article—Humanitarian Supply Chains and Inventory Management: Planning Medical Supply at the International Committee of the Red Cross," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 25(3), pages 209-214, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orited:v:25:y:2025:i:3:p:209-214
    DOI: 10.1287/ited.2023.0066ca
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Karen Hicklin & Julie S. Ivy & Anita R. Vila-Parrish, 2017. "Case—A Prescription for Budget Woes at Gracious University Hospital," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 110-115, May.
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    5. Karen Hicklin & Julie S. Ivy & Anita R. Vila-Parrish, 2017. "Case Article—A Prescription for Budget Woes at Gracious University Hospital," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 107-109, May.
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    8. Chuanwen Dong & Robert Boute, 2020. "The Beer Transportation Game: How to Decarbonize Logistics by Moving Freight to Sustainable Transport Modes," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 20(2), pages 102-112, January.
    9. Erin Mullin & Ashlea Bennett Milburn, 2021. "Game— Logistics to the Rescue : An Elementary Introduction to Planning in Disaster Response Decision Environments," INFORMS Transactions on Education, INFORMS, vol. 21(3), pages 152-159, May.
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