An integrated framework for digitalization of humanitarian supply chains in post COVID-19 era

Digital Supply Chains (DSCs) are transforming industries across various domains. Digitalization can improve coordination, increase data collection and retention capacities, enhance funding mechanisms, and improve operational performance and resource utilization. However, DSC adoption is constrained by lack of funding, operational complexities, infrastructure issues, etc. Thus, the need emerges to explore the digitalization of the Humanitarian Supply Chain (HSC) and provide solutions that can ease the adoption of DSC. In this study, a framework is created to facili-tate the digitalization process of HSC in post COVID-19 era. Nineteen related drivers are identi-fied with the potential to digitalize the HSC. The drivers are identified from the previous litera-ture and finalized with the assistance of HSC stakeholders. A Principal Component Analysis is car-ried out to discover the most pertinent drivers from the identified list of drivers. A Kappa analysis is adopted to perfect the priority map of the digitalization drivers. Further, the neutrosophic DE-MATEL methodology is adopted to prioritize the potential drivers and find their dependency on each other. The results from the study indicate that the most influential drivers fall under the op-erational and technological categories. However, the social drivers have the potential to play a significant contribution in an effort to HSC digitalization. In addition, the study presents strate-gies for enhancing funds collection and data management using emerging technologies. These strategies can assist HSC decision-makers in formulating relevant policies and strategic interven-tions.

Automated summary

Digital Supply Chains (DSCs) are reshaping industries across domains by improving coordination, data collection, funding mechanisms, and operational performance. However, constraints like funding and infrastructure hinder DSC adoption. This study proposes a framework to digitally transform the Humanitarian Supply Chain (HSC) in the post COVID-19 era, identifying drivers for digitalization and prioritizing them through analysis.