To identify potential research directions in the logistics of disaster operations, Altay & Green (2006) suggested that the following areas and research questions should be given priority: Multi-agency research — the multifunctional nature and political hierarchy in emergency response organizations are well suited for hierarchical planning and multi-attribute, multi-objective approaches as various groups have different priorities. So what are the optimal organizational and network structures that would facilitate communications and coordination in the resolution of disasters? Methods — how to determine decision rules on what method to use to address a specific class of disaster problems. Can new techniques be developed to take advantage of the inherent structure of disaster problems? Technology — what are the underlying assumptions and building blocks of logistical problems immediately before, during and after disasters? DOM (Disaster Operational Management) stages — the area that lacks DOM research is recovery planning so there are some key questions that can be included, for example, what are operational problems of damage assessment and cleanup? What are the key characteristics of food and monetary aid collection, allocation and distribution problems? Can we modify existing distribution and tracking models? Business continuity — why do businesses fail in the aftermath of a disaster? What is the rate of failure? What distinguishes survivors from failing businesses? Infrastructure design — how can we incorporate survivability as an objective in the design and maintenance of infrastructures without disturbing routine operations but improving operations under disaster conditions. Management engineering — could existing vehicle routing, location and allocation models for emergency services be improved and adapted to disaster situations and mass emergencies? Could comprehensive models be developed to coordinate mitigation and preparedness planning with responses? What are the fundamental differences between disaster response operations and everyday emergency responses? The Humanitarian Service Science and Engineering (HSS&E) community focuses on capacity building, measurement and standards. Their research agenda was proposed with the goal of better understanding, Proceedings of the 8th International ISCRAM Conference – Lisbon, Portugal, May 2011 8 Sangiamkul et al. Research Direction in Information systems for Humanitarian logistics designing, deploying and sustaining the value of a shared, open GIS-based information infrastructure, usercentered information systems for coordination and service management, shared and continually optimized logistics systems, internationally accepted standards and monitoring methods (Haselkorn, 2008).