Examining the barriers to operationalization of humanitarian supply chains: lessons learned from COVID-19 crisis

Humanitarian supply chains (HSC) have vital significance in mitigating different disruptive supply chain risks caused due to natural or man-made activities such as tsunami, earthquakes, flooding, warfare, or the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Each kind of disaster poses a unique set of challenges to the operationalization of HSC. This study attempts to determine the critical barriers to the operationalization of HSC in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, we determined and validated 10 critical barriers to HSC operationalization through a Delphi method. Further, we analyzed the barriers by computing the driving and dependence power of each barrier to determine the most critical ones. To do so, we coined a distinct form of interpretive structural modeling (ISM) by amalgamating it with the neutrosophic approach, i.e. Neutrosophic ISM. The findings indicate, lack of Government subsidies and support, lack of skilled and experienced rescuers, and lack of technology usage are the most critical barriers that influence the streamline operations of HSC during the COVID-19 outbreak, unlike other disruptions. This is the first-of-its-kind research work that has identified and analyzed the critical barriers to HSC operationalization during COVID-19 in the Indian context. The results and recommendations of the study can aid policymakers and HSC professionals in formulating suitable strategies for successful HSC operations.

Automated summary

Humanitarian supply chains play a vital role in mitigating supply chain risks caused by various disasters. This study identifies the critical barriers to operationalizing humanitarian supply chains in India during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of government subsidies and support, lack of skilled and experienced rescuers, and lack of technology usage are found to be the most crucial barriers.