ICT-enabled approach for humanitarian disaster management: a systems perspective
The International Journal of Logistics Management
ISSN: 0957-4093
Article publication date: 27 June 2023
Issue publication date: 1 December 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Each stage in disaster management faces different challenges concerning information gathering, sharing, interpretation and dissemination. However, a comprehensive understanding of different information and communication technology (ICT) systems utilised for humanitarian disaster management is limited. Therefore, the paper follows a systems thinking approach to examine ten major man-made and/or natural disasters to comprehend the influence of ICT systems on humanitarian relief operations.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal, multi-case study captures the use of ICT tools, stakeholders involvement, disaster stages and zones of operations for relief operations over the past two decades. A systems thinking approach is utilised to draw several inferences and develop frameworks.
Findings
Multiple ICT tools such as geographic information systems, online webpages/search engines, social media, unmanned aerial vehicles/robots and artificial intelligence are used for rapid disaster response and mitigation. Speed and coordination of relief operations have significantly increased in recent years due to the increased use of ICT systems.
Research limitations/implications
Secondary data on the past ten disasters is utilised to draw inferences. The developed ICT-driven model must be validated during upcoming humanitarian relief operations.
Practical implications
A holistic understanding of a complex inter-relationship between influential variables (stakeholders, disaster stages, zones of operation, ICT systems) is beneficial for effectively managing humanitarian disasters.
Originality/value
Broadly classifying the ICT systems into surveillance, decision support and broadcasting systems, a novel ICT-enabled model for humanitarian relief operations is developed.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of a special section “Papers from the 25th International Symposium on Logistics (ISL)”, guest edited by Drs K.S. Pawar, Andrew Potter and Chandra Lalwani.
The author is grateful to the guest editor and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and suggestions to improve the contents of this paper.
Citation
Ghadge, A. (2023), "ICT-enabled approach for humanitarian disaster management: a systems perspective", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. 34 No. 6, pp. 1543-1565. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-11-2021-0532
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited