Expert oriented hybrid approach for modeling coordination motivators in humanitarian supply chain: Managerial implications to actors’ coordination enhancement

Abstract

Humanitarian supply chain coordination (HSCC) has been identified as a critical factor in disaster relief success. Stakeholders must find different ways to communicate information and coordinate relief item flows during the relief processes. Many recent studies have advanced HSCC from multiple perspectives. However, the field still lacks a comprehensive analysis to summarize existing research, explicitly identify all the possible motivators for coordination, and investigate how the motivators can be carried out at the humanitarian supply chain interfaces. A conceptual model is developed for HSCC in this research. HSCC motivators are discovered through a review of the literature. Data is collected from experts using a structured questionnaire. The integrated best-worst method (BWM) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) approaches are proposed to prioritize and explore the underlying relationships between the motivators. The driving/dependence power of motivators is investigated in this study. Based on the findings, “Commitment” is the most critical coordination motivator in HSC. The results will aid managers and policymakers in the relief and rescue sector to make better decisions for HSCC.