Purpose Despite the growing integration of machine learning (ML) in humanitarian supply chain (HSC), herein HSCML, no prior review has established a systematic application domain taxonomy or examined model quality assurance, limiting sustainable adoption. This study aims to address three gaps: the absence of a systematic taxonomy for HSCML application domains, the lack of frameworks for HSCML data and model quality and the disconnect between technical development and operational deployability. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed-methods systematic literature review was used. In Phase 1, latent Dirichlet allocation topic modelling was applied to 302 HSCML journal papers to identify thematic clusters and derive a context–intervention–mechanism–outcome (CIMO) classification system. In Phase 2, a CIMO-guided systematic review analysed 93 HSCML model development studies across contextual, methodological and quality dimensions. Findings ML contributed to HSC through six domains: disaster consequence prediction, relief operations optimisation, real-time crisis intelligence, infrastructure monitoring and recovery, population mobility and evacuation and strategic HSC network planning. Research efforts are unevenly distributed across disaster types, management phases and regions, with fairness, explainability and uncertainty quantification systematically neglected across all domains. In response, three frameworks are established covering data quality dimensions, model quality dimensions and factors influencing model quality. Originality/value This is the first systematic examination of data and model quality in HSCML. It delivers a deployability-focused quality assurance framework and a data-centric research agenda addressing 14 knowledge gaps, providing practical references for rigorous HSCML development in line with humanitarian obligations.
Purpose This paper aims to advance theoretical understanding of the role of social entrepreneurship in fostering resource complementarity (RC), which is considered vital in times of crisis for building entrepreneurial resilience (ER) and community resilience (CR). Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a positivist philosophy and uses a deductive approach to develop its theoretical model and research hypotheses. Drawing on social capital theory, the model is tested using survey data collected through random sampling of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in the Himalayan region, focusing on fostering community resilience via social entrepreneurship. A total of 388 responses were analysed using factor-based partial least squares (PLS)-structural equation modelling (SEM) with WarpPLS 8.0 commercial software. Findings The results support the research hypotheses. These findings indicate that social entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in RC during crises, thereby enhancing both ER and CR. Research limitations/implications This study offers a valuable contribution to social capital theory by elucidating the role of social entrepreneurship in fostering RC. It further demonstrates how these dynamics enhance both ER and CR during times of crisis. Practical implications The study provides valuable guidance to NGOs and policymakers involved in disaster relief operations, highlighting how social entrepreneurship can promote RC and strengthen both ER and CR. Originality/value This study addresses a gap in the academic literature at the intersection of two disciplines: humanitarian operations management and entrepreneurship. It explores how these fields converge to tackle the complex challenges associated with disaster relief operations.
Purpose This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine infrastructure resilience in humanitarian logistics, focusing on types, failure causes and resilience dimensions of the infrastructure. This study aims to provide an integrated understanding of how critical infrastructures function under disruptions and the strategies that enhance their robustness. Design/methodology/approach Using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses framework, 41 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed to classify infrastructure types, identify root causes of failure and synthesize resilience dimensions. The review adopted a thematic approach to highlight interdependencies and systemic vulnerabilities. Findings This study identifies six major causes of infrastructure failure: natural disasters, man-made disasters, aging and deteriorating infrastructure, interdependencies, communication and coordination failures and other contextual constraints. It also revealed four resilience dimensions of the infrastructure, namely, structural and systematic features, operational and functional capabilities, adaptive and management capacities, as well as institutional and governance mechanisms, underscoring resilience as a dynamic, multi-layered capability rather than a static attribute. Practical implications The findings provide resilience strategies such as investing in adaptive infrastructure, enhancing cross-sector coordination and leveraging emerging technologies for policymakers, humanitarian organizations and infrastructure planners to enhance risk management. By addressing identified vulnerabilities and leveraging resilience dimensions, stakeholders can enhance disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Originality/value This study bridges fragmented literature on infrastructure resilience in humanitarian logistics by introducing a unified framework that integrates technical and institutional perspectives. It advances theory through the system-of-systems and dynamic capability lenses and offers practical guidance for policymakers and humanitarian organizations to strengthen preparedness, response and recovery.
Purpose This paper aims to present a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed research to explore women’s roles in building resilience and responding to humanitarian crises through logistics operations. It also investigates the main obstacles against their involvement and leading and lists the gender-responsive measures suggested to improve women’s empowerment in humanitarian supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach The authors performed a systematic literature review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 methodology. The analysis was based on 48 articles (n = 48) published in various crisis contexts (e.g. natural disasters, armed conflicts, pandemics and refugee crises). Thematic synthesis was used to structure the findings according to the three main research questions. Findings Women are critical in humanitarian logistics as leaders, logisticians, community responders and caregivers. However, socio-cultural norms, institutional discriminations, economic marginalisation and susceptibility to health-related issues limit their empowerment and leadership. Five major strategic themes are proposed for addressing these gaps: capacity development, strengthening of grassroots, policy-related reforms, health and well-being interventions and restoration of livelihoods. These lines of action correspond to operational, on one side, and policy, on the other, measures for an inclusive humanitarian response model. Research limitations/implications The reviewed literature reveals several limitations: geographic skewness, with an overrepresentation of studies from South Asia and underrepresentation from Latin America and East Africa; a prevalence of qualitative case studies over large-scale quantitative and mixed-methods research; and a lack of intersectional analyses, resulting in limited disaggregation of results by race, class, ability or age. Practical implications Findings can inform the creation of policies that explicitly promote gender equality within organisations involved in humanitarian logistics. Policymakers can use these insights to draft guidelines that ensure women are included in decision-making processes at all levels. Humanitarian organisations can reassess their resource allocation strategies to ensure that women have access to the necessary tools and resources to perform their roles effectively. This includes access to funding, technology and logistical support tailored to their needs. Social implications The literature review indicates a need for more inclusive research methodologies. By promoting the inclusion of diverse voices, especially from underrepresented regions, the study advocates for broader perspectives on women’s contributions in crises, potentially leading to more equitable practices. Addressing the lack of intersectional analyses, the study emphasises the importance of understanding how race, class, ability and age interact with gender in humanitarian contexts. This understanding could inform more tailored support mechanisms that address the unique challenges faced by different groups of women. Originality/value This paper broadens the scope of humanitarian logistics literature by focusing on gender as a fundamental framework for analysis. It offers a comprehensive, evidence-based, conceptual framework for researchers, practitioners and policymakers interested in mainstreaming gender equity and resilience-building in humanitarian logistics.
Despite vaccine development, the emergence of new epidemics and enzootics remains a global risk. Therefore, studying mass vaccination processes and the associated logistical and reverse logistical challenges is important for better guiding future mass vaccination processes. This paper aims to analyze these challenges and suggests guidelines for mass vaccination from the perspective of the Latin American response. The study is exploratory and belongs to the heuristic philosophical paradigm. The method was qualitative and based on grounded theory. The selected instrument was an expert consultation, and the research technique was a self-administered online survey using the non-probability sampling method. The questionnaire was conducted in Spanish and applied to experts in industrial engineering, logistics or related areas from Latin America (N = 74; 52M, 22F). In purchases and procurement of vaccines, it is key to guarantee the delivery frequency. Similarly, temperature and specific conditions are issues in its storage. As for inventory management, it is fundamental to review the due dates of the vaccines, the input and output of vaccines; the temperature control and storage-specific conditions. Regarding distribution and transportation, it is key to determine the availability of equipped vehicles with minimum biosecurity protocols; route programming and last-mile logistics. Reverse logistics is important to avoid driving materials without biological risk to landfills. The study delves into the underrepresented Latin American perspective in vaccine supply chain research and contributes insights into closing the health divide with high-income countries. The COVID-19 experience shows that mass vaccination processes are complex. So it is necessary to strengthen the capacity to generate vaccines against new pathogens but also to develop the capacity for their mass production, storage, distribution and logistics. Governments must design plans according to the logistical and reverse logistical challenges, support in academic so as to face future disruptions in the vaccine supply chain and to protect society. The latter, is particularly benefit from decisions taking on time to health care as well as the environment is protected. Finally, the policy implications of the findings suggest to design models for decision making process in the massive vaccination in Latin America, at all levels like government, vaccine suppliers, health centers taking into account the challenges exposed for this region. It is necessary to strengthen the capacity to generate new vaccines and develop the capacity for their mass production, storage, distribution and logistics. The study delves into the underrepresented Latin American perspective in vaccine supply chain research and contributes insights into closing the health divide with high-income countries.
This study aims to present a two-step optimization procedure aimed at enhancing the efficiency of emergency drinking water distribution via tanker trucks in drought-prone regions, specifically focusing on Brazil’s semiarid northeast. The proposed methodology integrates a mathematical model and a metaheuristic algorithm. Initially, an integer programming model determines optimal locations and allocations for water wells. Subsequently, an adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm, as proposed by Erdoğan et al. (2019), addresses the capacitated vehicle routing problem. The approach is applied to real-world data from the Operação Carro Pipa (OCP) and benchmarked against current practices. Implementation of the procedure resulted in a 49.89% reduction in total annual travel distance compared to current OCP operations. Over a 10-year well lifespan, estimated financial savings were approximately 39% higher than current practices, indicating significant efficiency gains in emergency drinking water distribution logistics. This study focuses on Brazil’s semiarid northeast, limiting broader generalization. Hydrogeological uncertainties and simplified routing assumptions may affect results. Future research should test the model in diverse drought-prone contexts and incorporate dynamic factors such as climate change. Expanding applications would help validate and refine the framework, enhancing its robustness and adaptability for humanitarian logistics planning in different regions and conditions. The proposed procedure serves as a decision-support tool for policymakers and practitioners, enabling substantial cost reductions and improved service delivery in government-led water distribution programs during droughts. The approach improves access to safe drinking water in drought-affected communities by reducing costs and travel distances. It allows limited resources to reach more people, mitigating water insecurity and related health risks. Optimized logistics also reduce environmental impacts, strengthening community resilience. These outcomes underscore the role of data-driven planning in promoting equity, efficiency and sustainability in humanitarian operations, especially in vulnerable semiarid regions. This research uniquely combines facility location and vehicle routing models into a cohesive framework tailored for humanitarian logistics in drought-affected areas, offering a novel contribution to the field.
The purpose of this study is to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies, circular economy principles and sustainability practices to evaluate emergency third-party logistics service providers (E3PLSPs) using an approach based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. This paper develops a two-stage hybrid approach based on MCDM methods. In the first stage, evaluation criteria and sub-criteria are identified, and their independent weights are calculated using the fuzzy stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (SWARA) method. In the second stage, the weighted influence non-linear gauge system (WINGS) technique is used to rank E3PLSPs by considering the interdependencies among the criteria. The proposed approach is validated through its implementation in a disaster management organization in Iran using the knowledge of five experts of this organization. For this purpose, the performance of five E3PLSPs is evaluated using 27 sub-criteria. The results denote that “delivery/service performance,” “cost,” “safe and healthy work environment,” “policies related to human resources,” “technological capabilities” and “financial capability” are six important sub-criteria in the problem under study. The findings of the comparative analysis confirm that considering the dependency among criteria has a significant effect on the final weights of criteria and sub-criteria, and it affects the ranking of E3PLSPs. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper, for the first time, applies economic, social, Industry 4.0 and circular criteria to evaluate E3PLSPs. In addition, a novel MCDM approach consisting of fuzzy SWARA and WINGS methods is used for this purpose.
This study aims to examine the long-term impact of digital financial inclusion (DFII) on humanitarian crises (HC) in Africa. Specifically, it seeks to explore how DFII, as both a technological and financial innovation, can be used to strengthen long-term crisis management, empower beneficiaries and support sustainable humanitarian efforts across African countries. Additionally, the research investigates how DFII can help reduce mortality rates, improve access to clean water and decrease refugee populations. This study explores long-term DFII influence on HC in Africa nations from 2004 to 2023, using dynamic common correlated estimation (DCCE) method, and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) Granger causality test. The DCCE results portray a long-term diminishing influence of DFII on HC. Specifically, greater DFII reduces HC including mortality rates and refugee populations, while improving clean water access, over the long-term. Additionally, less insecurity (IS) reduces HC over the long-term. Other significant drivers of HC are political instability (PS) and domestic credit to private sector (DCPS). The causality test’s results portray a bi-directional causality between DFII and HC, with one-way causality from IS, PS, PR and DCPS to HC. The research unravels the significant role of DFII in alleviating humanitarian crises in African nations over the long-term. Additionally, it portrays that improvements in DFII helps in reducing mortality rates and refugee populations, including increasing access to clean water. To manage and alleviate HC, Africa’s policymakers are advised to adopt strategies that promote DFII, invest in digital infrastructure and integrate these systems into disaster management frameworks to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian responses. This study presents a novel multi-country analysis of DFII and HC relationship across ten under-researched African nations. It provides empirical evidence on DFII role in crisis management, as well as actionable insights for policymakers and humanitarian actors seeking cost-effective, transparent and workable aid delivery solutions.
This study aims to examine how e-commerce and retail logistics can accelerate the economic integration of temporary protected persons (TPPs) in the European Union (EU), highlighting the unique retail and urban logistics challenges they pose compared to traditional refugees. Drawing on the Czech Republic context, where TPPs enjoy immediate legal status but often face cultural, linguistic and digital barriers, the paper sheds light on how these factors influence TPPs’ purchase channel choices. A quantitative survey targeting both TPPs and local residents collected demographic, socioeconomic and consumer behavior data. A multinomial logistic regression model was then used to identify key determinants, such as age, gender, household size and income, influencing TPPs’ preference for online versus in-store shopping. The study finds that while TPPs have legal access to local retail markets, their purchase channel preferences significantly differ from those of non-TPPs due to financial constraints, digital literacy gaps and trust in online platforms. Younger TPPs and those from larger households are more likely to engage in e-commerce, while lower-income and female TPPs prefer in-store shopping due to perceived reliability and product certainty. Additionally, the analysis indicates that non-TPPs are over three times more likely to shop online compared to TPPs, underscoring the digital divide between these consumer groups. By focusing on the Czech Republic, the study’s external validity outside this context is constrained. Future cross-country comparisons would clarify how varying integration policies and e-commerce ecosystems shape TPP behavior. The findings underscore the need for multilingual e-commerce interfaces, flexible payment options (including cash-on-delivery) and targeted digital literacy training to bolster TPPs’ online uptake. Retailers, policymakers and humanitarian agencies can collaborate on last-mile delivery, localized distribution hubs and consumer education to support this growing segment. Enhanced retail access for TPPs fosters self-sufficiency, reduces reliance on humanitarian aid and supports community cohesion. Inclusive e-commerce strategies can mitigate social inequalities, highlighting the broader societal benefits of adapting supply chains to displaced consumer groups. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is among the first to investigate TPP purchasing behaviors specifically, complementing the humanitarian logistics literature. Its findings enrich theoretical models of acculturation and consumer choice by illustrating how temporary legal status interacts with cultural, digital and socioeconomic factors to shape retail decisions.
Purpose This study aims to provide an exploratory empirical assessment of HUMSERVPERF as a beneficiary-centred measure of relief service quality (RSQ) in a flood-relief context, focusing on its factor structure and preliminary links to beneficiary satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach HUMSERVPERF was adapted from SERVPERF and refined through interviews and a pilot survey, then tested with 279 flood-relief beneficiaries in Thailand. Exploratory factor analysis refined the HUMSERVPERF dimensions, which were subsequently modelled as RSQ. The RSQ-satisfaction relationship was examined using structural equation modelling (SEM) as an exploratory initial test.Findings Five HUMSERVPERF dimensions were identified. Empathy and responsiveness align with SERVPERF, while technical & service reliability, information quality (INQ) and humanitarian staff professionalism (HSP) were reconfigured from tangibility, reliability and assurance. RSQ showed a positive association with beneficiary satisfaction, providing preliminary and context-bound nomological support for HUMSERVPERF.Research limitations/implications The study is limited to a single flood-relief context and a sample of predominantly non-severely affected beneficiaries. The sample size precluded split-sample SEM validation, and exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and SEM were conducted on the same dataset. HSP remains a provisionally specified construct requiring further item development, while INQ exhibited a complex and provisionally specified structure that captures diverse informational realities. The SEM results are therefore preliminary but provide direction for future refinement and validation.Practical implications The refined HUMSERVPERF framework is positioned as a pilot diagnostic instrument offering initial insights to support internal reflection and early-stage service improvement.Social implications HUMSERVPERF provides an initial, beneficiary-centred assessment mechanism that may support future efforts towards accountability and transparency.Originality/value This study adapts a beneficiary-centred RSQ instrument for flood relief and provides initial, context-specific evidence of its relevance to beneficiary satisfaction.
Purpose Providing humanitarian services to people affected by disasters poses many challenges for relief organizations. This study aims to present a model of humanitarian supply chain (HSC) challenges using the interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and MICMAC approach in dealing with disasters. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a hybrid ISM-MICMAC methodology. Key challenges and sub-challenges were identified through a systematic literature review conducted from 2006 to 2024, using databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. A panel of 24 experts from the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) validated and assessed interrelationships among 16 sub-challenges via a structured questionnaire and consensus discussions. The ISM approach was used to develop a hierarchical model, while MICMAC analysis classified challenges based on driving and dependence powers. Findings The ISM analysis revealed a nine-level hierarchical model of HSC challenges, with root sub-challenges such as lack of asset visibility (C11) influencing higher-level dependent challenges. MICMAC classified sub-challenges primarily into linkage and independent variables, with no autonomous or purely dependent ones, highlighting the interconnected nature of HSC issues. Originality/value This study extends existing structural analyses of HSC challenges by introducing an integrated ISM-MICMAC framework tailored to post-disaster contexts. Using 16 expert-validated sub-challenges from the IRCS, the study uncovers distinctive MICMAC patterns, including the absence of purely autonomous or dependent variables, and proposes a novel nine-level hierarchical structure not identified in prior research. By combining hierarchical modeling with dependency classification, this research delivers actionable insights for humanitarian managers to enhance SC efficiency, resilience and disaster response across diverse operational settings.
PurposeThis study aims to examine how a digital pull-based coordination platform (Korovai) reshaped multinational humanitarian and security assistance logistics during the Ukraine conflict. Building on humanitarian logistics scholarship and drawing on dynamic capabilities theory (DCT) and institutional theory, the paper explains how digital infrastructures enable adaptive coordination and cross-sector legitimacy in high-velocity, multi-actor supply networks.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative case study based on semistructured interviews (n = 13), after-action reports and secondary sources was analyzed using thematic coding grounded in established collaboration constructs from humanitarian and supply chain literature.FindingsSeven coordination enablers - trust, liaison roles, collaborative planning, information sharing, joint knowledge, process integration and enabling technology - emerged as central to performance. Korovai enhanced these mechanisms by embedding real-time demand signaling, transparent commitment tracking and secure asynchronous collaboration, supporting coalition-level sensing, seizing and reconfiguration consistent with DCT.Research limitations/implicationsThe study focuses on a coalition-led coordination structure within the US European Command and partner institutions, limiting generalizability to decentralized disaster contexts. Future research should examine comparative cases and quantify performance effects across settings.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that digitally enabled pull architectures can improve transparency, reduce duplication and strengthen adaptive coordination in large-scale humanitarian and defense logistics networks.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical study of Korovai as a donor-driven digital, pull-based platform operating in an active conflict. The paper extends humanitarian logistics theory into sustained, high-security environments and contributes to management theory by demonstrating how dynamic capabilities and institutional pressures jointly shape the design, adoption and legitimacy of digital coordination systems, contributing to emerging research on digital transformation in humanitarian and defense supply chains.
PurposeGrounded in information processing theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of digital technologies and memory on humanitarian supply chains' readiness to respond to natural disasters. It also examines whether the use of digital technologies influences memory development within these supply chains.Design/methodology/approachWe collected data from 255 key professionals involved in humanitarian operations and analyzed the proposed model using partial least squares structural equation modeling.FindingsThe results show that emerging digital technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence, machine learning, the Internet of Things, blockchain, 3D printing, virtual reality and drones) act as essential information-processing mechanisms that do not directly affect readiness. Instead, they facilitate the systematic generation, storage and retrieval of complex disaster data, transforming it into a humanitarian supply chain memory. This memory serves as a full mediator, ensuring that processed information becomes a durable repository of actionable knowledge that significantly enhances predisaster readiness.Originality/valueThis study contributes to both the literature and practice by empirically demonstrating that humanitarian supply chain memory is a necessary mechanism through which digital technologies improve readiness, and by highlighting the importance of prior knowledge, beyond experience alone, for enhancing humanitarian supply chains' ability to respond to natural disasters. For policymakers and public governance, the results emphasize the strategic importance of integrating digital technologies and memory into disaster management policies. Policies that preserve and mobilize disaster memory, supported by digital technologies, can enhance readiness, foster collective learning and build more adaptive and connected responses to natural disasters.
PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the functionality of the emergency medical supply chain (EMSC) in northwest Syria (NWS) during the response to the February 6th, 2023 T & uuml;rkiye-Syria earthquake, focusing on key challenges, strengths and areas for improvement in the system.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating data from 15 health facilities through surveys and key informant interviews with supply chain personnel..FindingsThis study uncovered significant vulnerabilities in the EMSC, particularly in procurement, forecasting, coordination, information systems and staffing. Emergency shipments were frequently delayed, with many facilities receiving incomplete supplies or lacking clarity on delivery timelines. Stockpiles played a critical role in the early response, but poor forecasting led to severe shortages where 92% of facilities lacked analgesics and 69% antibiotics. Cross-border disruptions further exposed the risk of overreliance on external suppliers. Communication was fragmented, with health responders relying on informal platforms like WhatsApp, underscoring the absence of robust, centralized communication tools during emergencies.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to assess EMSC performance in NWS following the 2023 earthquake. It provides actionable insights into systemic weaknesses, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic reforms. Recommendations include establishing a national electronic logistics management information system, strengthening coordination protocols, enhancing prepositioning strategies and investing in structured training for supply chain personnel. With Syria transitioning toward unified governance, the findings highlight a pivotal opportunity to build a more resilient and responsive supply chain infrastructure, better equipped to manage future emergencies in conflict-affected and resource-constrained settings.
PurposeThis study aims to examine how humanitarian logistics operations are adapted in constrained and hostile environments to deliver aid to besieged populations effectively.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyses historical and contemporary sieges, drawing insights from secondary data, historical case studies, focus group data and document analysis of reports from humanitarian organisations, including an illustrative case study of Gaza 2023-2025.FindingsThis study develops an integrative framework for humanitarian logistics in sieges, highlighting both aspects of the siege situation and response enablers that affect the transport and storage solutions, local resource use and the actors involved in humanitarian logistics in sieges.Research limitations/implicationsOur research presents a pioneering approach to humanitarian logistics in besieged areas, presenting an integrative framework and outlining an agenda for future research.Practical implicationsThis study gives humanitarian organisations insights into the specifics of humanitarian logistics in sieges, highlighting the interplay of different actors needed to address the complexities of the operating environment and the iterative nature of the disaster cycle in sieges.Originality/valueThe specifics of humanitarian logistics in sieges have not been researched previously and no comprehensive coverage of this topic exists in practitioner sources either. Nevertheless, sieges are an aspect of modern warfare that specifically targets supply chains and complicates humanitarian logistics, which this paper explores.
PurposeThis paper aims to examine how digitalisation affects traditional supply chain risks in a French humanitarian organisation, focusing on the interplay between digital and conventional risk categories.Design/methodology/approachA case study at Banque Alimentaire Le Havre using FMEA, Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs), statistical and sensitivity analyses (correlation, partial least squares, analysis of variance) to evaluate how digitalisation reshapes risk profiles.Findings IS misfit strongly impacts supply and process risks. Social/human factors influence demand risk. Information systems (IS) usage affects environmental risks. Demand risk decreases significantly post-digitalisation. Overweighting RPN components amplify the effects of social/human issues while the effects of IS technical risks are more robust.Research limitations/implicationsThe single-case scope and direct impacts of IS risks based on standardised RPNs may limit generalisation. Future studies could explore these directions as well as cascading interdependencies.Practical implicationsThe study supports better digital risk governance, IS alignment and staff training for humanitarian supply chains undergoing digital transformation.Originality/valueThe paper offers a new hybrid framework integrating digital and traditional risks with empirical insights for researchers and humanitarian practitioners.
PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity and revealed structural vulnerabilities within food bank supply chains (FBSC), underscoring the fragility of food aid systems. This study aims to examine how FBSC stakeholders build resilience by integrating reactive and proactive capabilities and develops a transferable, prescriptive framework to foster network-level resilience.Design/methodology/approachUsing a qualitative multiple case study design, the study triangulates data from focus groups, semi-structured interviews and field observations to analyze how resilience emerges and evolves across short-, medium- and long-term horizons.FindingsIn the short term, FBSC stakeholders deployed reactive capabilities, including agility, flexibility, coordination and adaptability, to manage immediate disruptions, such as supply volatility, storage constraints and surging demand. Over the medium and long term, proactive capabilities, including enhanced visibility, redundancy and strengthened collaboration, supported system stabilization and transformation. Beyond documenting pandemic responses, the study identifies a structured repertoire of resilience-building interventions linking operational practices to the capabilities that sustain them. Three research propositions are advanced to articulate how capabilities, structural conditions and contextual factors interact to foster network-level resilience.Originality/valueMoving beyond descriptive accounts of crisis response, this study demonstrates how stakeholders foster network-level resilience through coordinated reactive and proactive capabilities. By translating empirical insights into a transferable framework of actionable interventions, it advances resilience theory in nonprofit supply chains and provides prescriptive guidance for managers, policymakers and scholars seeking to strengthen food aid systems in times of crisis.
PurposeOpportunism poses a significant risk that can undermine relationships between humanitarian actors during disruptions. Thus, it is essential to mitigate this issue, ensuring that actors make decisions that favor effective humanitarian operations. This study aims to highlight the nature and manifestation of opportunism through the lens of governance theory.Design/methodology/approachThis study emphasizes how contract- and trust-based governance influence opportunism. The novel model for relationship management during disruption is designed using the logic of transaction cost and relational exchange theories. A challenging survey involving approximately 150 humanitarian actors was conducted.FindingsThe results demonstrates that contract-based governance significantly enhances trust, but a contract by itself does not effectively reduce opportunism. Trust is crucial in mitigating opportunism. Yet, as the intensity of crises escalates, resulting in high volatility, it may disrupt the beneficial synergies of contract and trust, leading to uncontrollable opportunism.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that policymakers should implement strategies to balance contract- and trust-based governance to reduce opportunism in humanitarian operations. These strategies include prioritizing the development of shared humanitarian principles, establishing adaptive coordination structures and investing in capacity-building initiatives such as joint training.Originality/valueThis study represents a novel effort to explain how volatility and governance mechanisms are associated with opportunism, specifically in humanitarian operations. While the differences between contract- and trust-based governance are well-explored in business contexts, the findings suggest that strategies effective in business contexts may require modification in humanitarian contexts.
PurposeThis study aims to examine how the population's reaction to crisis information dissemination can influence household preparedness. While crisis communication plays a crucial role in national emergency response strategies, the effectiveness of such communication depends on how receiving populations interpret and act upon the information. The research investigates the relationship between crisis information dissemination and household preparedness.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses data from 15 household qualitative interviews from 2019 to 2021 on the crisis information brochure, "If Crisis or War Comes", across Sweden, using the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) framework to explore how crisis communication is perceived in light of household preparedness. The analysis focusses on perceptions and significance of the brochure using thematic analysis.FindingsResults reveal that population reactions can mediate the relationship between crisis information dissemination and household preparedness across five themes. While Sweden's high trust in authorities can facilitate crisis communication, it may also limit proactive engagement with preparedness efforts by focusing on the information rather than the process. Furthermore, incorporating information on the roles of societal institutions, such as banks, could improve the receiving population's understanding of crisis preparedness within a broader societal framework.Practical implicationsThe research offers practical implications for policymakers, emphasising the need for tailored communication strategies that enhance individual and societal preparedness.Originality/valueResearch contributes to crisis communication literature by shifting the focus from government-led dissemination efforts to the receiving population's perspective. By integrating SCCT, the study provides previously unexplored insights into how population perception can alter the relationship between crisis information and preparedness.
PurposeHybrid project management methodologies (PMMs) refer to approaches that intentionally combine structured, plan-driven methods (waterfall or project cycle management) with agile, iterative practices that support rapid adaptation and feedback. Unlike traditional PMMs, which prioritize upfront planning and fixed processes, or purely agile approaches, which emphasize flexibility and ongoing change, hybrid PMMs integrate both logics to tailor governance, control and delivery mechanisms to dynamic project environments. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of PMMs in managing humanitarian projects in the Philippines. It evaluates their applicability and impact across diverse project phases and examines priorities in development projects to establish a replicable framework.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory research design was used, using a two-phase data collection process. Phase 1 identified common practices and project phases in humanitarian efforts, while Phase 2 focused on the deployment and effectiveness of PMMs. The data was analyzed using a concurrent triangulation method.FindingsThe hybrid approach emerged as the most preferred PMM. Its iterative nature, adaptability and capacity to integrate agile and traditional methodologies enabled project teams to navigate the dynamic demands of humanitarian efforts. Key findings indicate that the hybrid methodology enhances resource efficiency, ensures community involvement and emphasizes sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's scope is geographically limited to the Philippines and primarily reflects the perspectives of core project management teams. Future research could involve a broader range of stakeholders, including beneficiaries, and extend to other regions for comparative analysis.Practical implicationsThe hybrid PMM provides a robust framework for managing humanitarian projects, addressing challenges such as high uncertainty, limited resources and dynamic stakeholder needs. Its versatility and adaptability make it an essential tool for organizations aiming to optimize project outcomes and ensure sustainability.Originality/valueThis study highlights the hybrid approach as a transformative methodology in humanitarian project management, bridging gaps between traditional and agile practices. It emphasizes the methodology's alignment with critical project needs, offering a strategic roadmap for impactful and sustainable humanitarian initiatives.
