Citation

Pedraza-Martinez AJ, Stapleton O, Van Wassenhove LN. Disasters 2013; 37(Suppl 1): S51-S67.

Affiliation

Assistant Professor, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, United States Graduate Student, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New York University, United States Henry Ford Chaired Professor of Manufacturing, INSEAD, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/disa.12012

PMID

23905767

Abstract

This paper presents the reflections of the authors on the differences between the language and the approach of practitioners and academics to humanitarian logistics problems. Based on a long-term project on fleet management in the humanitarian sector, involving both large international humanitarian organisations and academics, it discusses how differences in language and approach to such problems may create a lacuna that impedes trust. In addition, the paper provides insights into how academic research evidence adapted to practitioner language can be used to bridge the gap. When it is communicated appropriately, evidence strengthens trust between practitioners and academics, which is critical for long-term projects. Once practitioners understand the main trade-offs included in academic research, they can supply valuable feedback to motivate new academic research. Novel research problems promote innovation in the use of traditional academic methods, which should result in a win-win situation: relevant solutions for practice and advances in academic knowledge.

Language: en