Humanitarian supply chain management responding to refugees: a literature review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-17-2018

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to map and analyse the literature from 1989 to 2016 on humanitarian supply chain management (SCM) responding to refugees. This literature review systematically assesses existing literature, thereby highlighting gaps, challenges and directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach: The authors apply a structured content analysis method which has been recognised as a traceable, systematic and reproducible research tool to analyse qualitative and quantitative aspects of existing literature. Findings: The relative scarcity of literature implies that the interface of the fields of Humanitarian SCM and refugees has been rarely addressed. More specifically, the quantitative content analysis highlights a dearth of research that focusses on both fields in a well-balanced manner. In particular, empirical, practice-led studies, as well as research on development aid operations are under-represented. The qualitative analysis finds that further research on logistics models as well as technological innovations is necessary to increase data availability, forecast accuracy and the efficiency of (local) supply network operations during disasters. Research limitations/implications: The review suggests a number of areas in need of future research, proposes possibilities of collaborations between different actors and provides a research agenda for Humanitarian SCM in the context of refugees. Originality/value: This review is the first to analyse the literature on Humanitarian SCM related to refugees.

Publication Title

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Volume

8

Issue

3

First Page

398

Last Page

426

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1108/JHLSCM-07-2017-0029

ISSN

20426747

E-ISSN

20426755

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS