Purpose

This study investigates paradox-responding strategies and enabling mechanisms in humanitarian temporary supply networks (TSNs). Given the high stakes involved in life-saving supply networks, understanding how diverse, often under-resourced, organisations jointly tackle paradoxical tensions under time pressure is crucial.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative single case study approach is adopted and a TSN deployed to meet shelter needs following the 2015 Nepal earthquake is selected as the case. The authors use diverse secondary data sources to establish how the TSN responded to paradoxical tensions.

Findings

Results show that paradox-responding in humanitarian TSNs is ongoing, dynamic and a collective effort. Most strategies entail tackling the paradoxical tensions at the same time, using the same TSN structure, but there are differences in the treatment of the paradoxical elements. Additionally, the authors find that the execution of the responding strategies is enabled by the appropriate types of network-level mechanisms which can vary in novelty, complexity, depth and reach.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides rich explanations of paradox-responding and develops insights into collective action within TSNs. However, further research is needed to extend and refine insights given the single-case setting design.

Practical implications

This study develops a framework of paradox-responding strategies and a corresponding mix of enabling mechanisms that can guide decision-makers in the humanitarian sector when deploying TSNs.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that investigates paradox-responding strategies in humanitarian TSNs in particular and enabling mechanisms in general.

中文翻译：

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人道主义临时供应网络中的悖论应对：探索战略和支持机制

目的

本研究调查了人道主义临时供应网络（TSN）中的悖论响应策略和启用机制。鉴于拯救生命的供应网络涉及很高的风险，了解多元化且往往资源不足的组织如何在时间压力下共同应对矛盾的紧张局势至关重要。

设计/方法论/途径

采用定性单案例研究方法，并选择为满足 2015 年尼泊尔地震后避难所需求而部署的 TSN 作为案例。作者使用不同的二手数据源来确定 TSN 如何应对矛盾的紧张局势。

发现

结果表明，人道主义 TSN 中的悖论响应是持续的、动态的和集体的努力。大多数策略需要使用相同的 TSN 结构同时解决矛盾的紧张局势，但对矛盾因素的处理存在差异。此外，作者发现响应策略的执行是通过适当类型的网络级机制实现的，这些机制在新颖性、复杂性、深度和范围方面可能有所不同。

研究局限性/影响

这项研究提供了对悖论响应的丰富解释，并深入了解 TSN 内的集体行动。然而，考虑到单一案例的设置设计，还需要进一步的研究来扩展和完善见解。

实际影响

这项研究开发了一个悖论响应策略框架和相应的支持机制组合，可以在部署 TSN 时指导人道主义部门的决策者。

原创性/价值

据作者所知，这是第一项专门调查人道主义 TSN 中的悖论响应策略和一般启用机制的研究。