Leveraging Industry 4.0 Technologies for Sustainable Humanitarian Supply Chains: Evidence from the Extant Literature

M. Ali Ülkü (), James H. Bookbinder and Nam Yi Yun
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M. Ali Ülkü: Department of Management Science & Information Systems, Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
James H. Bookbinder: CRSSCA—Centre for Research in Sustainable Supply Chain Analytics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
Nam Yi Yun: CRSSCA—Centre for Research in Sustainable Supply Chain Analytics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 3, 1-26

Abstract: Prevailing and exacerbating impacts of climate change call for robust and resilient humanitarian supply chains (HSCs). To that end, intelligent technologies that brought about the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) revolution, such as the Internet of Things, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, may tremendously impact the optimal design and effective management of HSCs. In this paper, we conduct a systematic literature network analysis and identify trends in I4.0 and HSCs. We posit the need to instill into current HSC efforts the quadruple bottom-line (cultural, economic, environmental, and social) pillars of sustainability and define a Sustainable Humanitarian Supply Chain (SHSC). Based on the extant literature and ongoing practice, we highlight how I4.0 technologies can aid SHSC stages from disaster risk assessment to preparedness to response to relief. The complex nature of SHSCs requires a holistic and multidisciplinary approach and collaboration by scholars, policymakers, and industry practitioners to pool solution resources. We offer future research venues in this fledgling but life-saving scientific discipline. SHSCs can be empowered with I4.0 technologies, a much needed direction in our climate-changed world.

Keywords: climate change; disaster; supply chain and logistics; artificial intelligence; Internet of Things; blockchain; sustainability; risk mitigation; sustainable development; quadruple bottom line (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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