Assessing the factors affecting implementation of unmanned aerial vehicles in Indian humanitarian logistics: a g-DANP approach
Journal of Modelling in Management
ISSN: 1746-5664
Article publication date: 11 January 2022
Issue publication date: 31 March 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the factors affecting the implementation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Indian humanitarian logistics. The factors listed are significant as they are hindering the incorporation of this new technology into the humanitarian supply chain, thus creating inefficiencies in the humanitarian logistics sector.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is approached using a two-step process. In the first step, the particular barriers for UAV implementation are determined by a literature review and consultation with experts. Next, the proposed framework, a combination of grey-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (grey-DEMATEL) and analytic network process (ANP), i.e. g-DANP, is used to determine a hierarchical structure for the factors and sub-factors. The grey hypothesis provides sufficient analytical data to an otherwise lacking DEMATEL technique. Also, the use of ANP gives weightage to each factor, allowing us to categorize their importance further.
Findings
This study reveals that factors like expensive commercial solutions and high transport energy costs are significant factors of the “cause” group, whereas the uncertain cost for maintenance and repair and deficiency of high-level computing are crucial factors of the “effect” category. The mentioned factors, along with many others, are the main reasons for the delayed incorporation of UAVs in humanitarian logistics.
Practical implications
The results of this study present insights for humanitarian supply chain managers, UAV producers and policymakers. Those in the humanitarian logistics sector can use the findings of this study to plan for various challenges faced as they try and implement UAVs in their supply chain.
Originality/value
This research is unique as it analyses the general factors hindering the implementation of UAVs in Indian humanitarian logistics. The study enriches existing literature by providing an analytic approach to determine the weightage of various interrelations between the identified factors affecting UAV incorporation in the humanitarian supply chain.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude towards the industry experts for their valuable support in evaluating the proposed framework. The authors would also like to thank Mr. Rahul Jain, Scholar, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India, for providing a python script for verifying the calculations. The authors would also like to thank the reviewers of this paper for their valuable comments on improving the quality of this manuscript.
Citation
Kamat, A., Shanker, S. and Barve, A. (2023), "Assessing the factors affecting implementation of unmanned aerial vehicles in Indian humanitarian logistics:
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited