The evolution of humanitarian logistics as a discipline through a crystal ball

Abstract

PurposeHumanitarian logistics has for a long time been argued to be a new discipline. Now that even the Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management (JHLSCM) has existed over a decade, it is time to take a closer look at its evolution. This article provides some understanding for the developments of humanitarian logistics over the past decade, reveals current trends and discovers what lies behind the curtains in the humanitarian logistics and supply chain management discipline.Design/methodology/approachThis article brings in developments and discussions in humanitarian logistics practice into the research domain.FindingsThe article conveys the concerns of humanitarian logistics practitioners to research. These include the backlash from the COVID-19 pandemic as a prime current concern, and also other longer-term issues and developments.Research limitations/implicationsThe themes identified in the article can be used to inform a research agenda in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management. The article revisits a framework of global events and their cascading impacts to include non-linearities and multiple disruptions from evolutionary disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Practical implicationsThe article argues for more collaborative and co-designed research to increase the relevance and impact of humanitarian logistics.Social implicationsWider societal views are brought into the area of humanitarian logistics.Originality/valueThe article highlights the gaps that remain in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management research.