Strategic considerations for digitalising humanitarian supply chains for resilience: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

The frequency and severity of disasters are increasing, and promoting the adoption of digital technologies could enhance the agility, reach, and resilience of humanitarian supply chains. Global patterns of digital innovation in humanitarian supply chains are examined through a systematic quantitative literature review and bibliometric analysis of 4,780 Scopus-indexed documents (2015–2025). Combined with targeted qualitative syntheses, co-word analysis, co-citation mapping, and bibliographic coupling, the analysis reveals digitalisation as an expanding technology-led field, dominated by response-phase applications. Dominant clusters centre on: artificial intelligence-driven forecasting, emerging logistics optimisation, last-mile operations, and data analytics platforms. We interpreted these patterns through the Technology–Organisation–Environment model. It is found that digital technologies are necessary and applicable throughout disaster management phases. A conceptual framework reconfigures Technology–Organisation–Environment domains reflecting the context-driven dynamics of humanitarian supply chains, emphasising resilience. Future research should focus on longitudinal, co-designed case and action research into digital adoption, integration challenges, and community-based knowledge in fostering innovation.