Page 147 - AJWEP-22-4

Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution. Vol. 22, No. 4 (2025), pp. 139-150.
doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025220182

ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Integrating human resource management and logistics
coordination to enhance Malaysian flood response

Zeti Suzila Mat Jusoh and Shaliza Alwi *
2
1
1 Faculty Business and Accounting, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2 Arshad Ayub Graduate Business School, UiTM Shah Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
*Corresponding author: Shaliza Alwi (shalizaalwi@uitm.edu.my)

Received: May 30, 2025; Revised: June 24, 2025; Accepted: June 27, 2025; Published online: July 21, 2025

Abstract: Flood disasters in Malaysia pose recurring challenges to humanitarian operations, necessitating stronger
internal capabilities within responding organizations. While prior studies have acknowledged the individual roles
of human resource management (HRM) and logistics coordination in disaster response, there is limited empirical
research examining their combined impact on humanitarian operations performance (HOP), particularly within
Southeast Asian contexts. This study addresses that gap by evaluating the dual and synergistic effects of HRM
and logistics coordination on HOP among humanitarian organizations operating in Malaysia. The present study
employed a quantitative approach using the partial least squares structural equation modeling, which was selected
for its strength in modeling latent variables and managing complex, non-normally distributed data. A structured
questionnaire was distributed to personnel involved in disaster response across the Malaysian Civil Defence
Force (APM) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Malaysia, resulting in 29.7% valid responses.
The respondents, identified through the National Disaster Management Agency database, had substantial field
experience in flood-related humanitarian missions. Findings revealed that both HRM and logistics coordination
significantly and positively influence HOP, with HRM having a greater effect. This underscores the importance of
integrating strategic human capital development and synchronized logistics systems in disaster response planning.
The study’s novelty lies in its empirical validation of these internal mechanisms within a unified model specific to
flood disasters in Malaysia. The results provide practical insights for policymakers and humanitarian leaders, while
also contributing to sustainable development goals 9, 16, and 17 by promoting resilient infrastructure, effective
institutions, and inter-organizational collaboration.

Keywords: Sustainable development goals; Human resource management; Logistics coordination; Humanitarian
operations; Flood disaster management; Malaysia

1. Introduction as Kelantan, Pahang, and Johor. This is due to
climate changes and the rapid expansion of cities.
Floods are the most common and destructive natural Humanitarian activities are only effective during
disasters in Malaysia, causing plenty of social and disasters if the organization has the right internal
economic problems that render humanitarian work capabilities, such as logistical coordination and human
challenging. The occurrences of floods have become resource management (HRM). Given the complexity
more frequent in the past several years, coupled of humanitarian operations, it is critical to understand
with increasing severity, especially in places, such how integrating HRM and LC activities of expertise can

Volume 22 Issue 4 (2025) 139 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025220182