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Security, sustainability and supply chain collaboration in the humanitarian space

Paul D. Larson (University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada)

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 2042-6747

Article publication date: 27 July 2021

Issue publication date: 26 October 2021

639

Abstract

Purpose

To extend humanitarian supply chain relationships beyond logistics concerns of delivery, quality and cost. As humanitarian actors continue to face increasing numbers of natural disasters, armed conflicts and attacks on aid workers, security (risk) and sustainability are issues of growing importance. Aiming to inspire discussion, the paper concludes with a research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper inspired by relevant statistics, news reports and academic literature.

Findings

Worldwide natural disasters and armed conflicts are on the rise. So are deliberate attacks on aid workers. Thus, humanitarian supply chain design must include considerations of security and sustainability. Agencies have several options for integrating matters of security and sustainability with the delivery of aid, from being reactive to creating internal solutions to forming proactive relationships with security and sustainability experts.

Research limitations/implications

There are numerous opportunities for research in the areas of security, sustainability and supply chain relationships.

Practical implications

Through advocacy and supply chain relationships, humanitarian agencies can enhance security for aid workers and civilians affected by conflict and disasters. Looking to the future, they can also make a positive difference on issues of sustainability.

Social implications

There is an opportunity to enlarge the “humanitarian space” – and increase security for aid workers and civilians, especially in areas of armed conflict. In the long term, aid agencies can also help eliminate social problems such as gender inequality.

Originality/value

This appears to be among the first papers to discuss matters of security and sustainability in the context of humanitarian supply chain collaboration.

Keywords

Citation

Larson, P.D. (2021), "Security, sustainability and supply chain collaboration in the humanitarian space", Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 609-622. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-06-2021-0059

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited

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