Benefits and challenges of implementing emerging technologies in a humanitarian supply chain

Abstract: Technology utilisation and implementation of new technologies are critical success factors for humanitarian supply chains and the possibility to improve humanitarian operations by the use of technology has been gaining increasing attention, especially since the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Despite this increase, the theory on emerging technologies within the humanitarian supply chain is still very limited, in particular there is a lack of studies providing a holistic perspective of technology development within the sector. This gap motivates the main purpose of this study: to investigate and compare opportunities and challenges of currently emerging technologies in the context of the humanitarian supply chain. Looking at multiple technologies creates an interesting overview, where larger influencing trends can be identified together with the main challenges that will have to be addressed in order to follow the technological development. Four types of technologies were selected as a representation of currently emerging technologies: three-dimensional printing, immersive technologies, unmanned aerial vehicles and Internet of Things. The benefits and challenges related to the implementation are first addressed through a structured literature review, mapping the existing theory. After this a multiple case study was conducted in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières Sweden Innovation Unit, in order to verify and add to the existing theory. The multiple case study included four cases, one per type of technology. The case study was conducted in two rounds. The first round was used to collect data from experts on respective technology, and the second round was used to verify the results from the first round by consulting supply chain experts not involved with the use of any of the technologies. The study resulted in six ways that emerging technologies are expected to create benefits in humanitarian supply chains and three main challenges related to the implementation of emerging technologies. The ways in which benefits are created that are closest to reality, at least on a limited scale, are improved geographical assessment, increased access to supply, increased flexibility, and more efficient distribution. Further into the future increased visibility of resources as well as better tools for assessment are expected to gradually provide benefits. The main challenges that have to be tackled in order for humanitarian organisations to be able to implement innovations in their supply chain are improvement of IT and data management, communication and coordination within organisations as well as with external actors, and lastly how to collaborate with the commercial sector.