Key drivers for the incorporation of artificial intelligence in humanitarian supply chain management

Purpose Humanitarian supply chain management (HSCM), operating in a complex environment, needs to be agile and robust. The advent of digital technologies has revolutionized HSCM operations, and thus, this study identifies and evaluates key drivers of artificial intelligence (AI) incorporation in HSCM. Design/methodology/approach In total, 20 key drivers were identified through a review of the relevant extant literature and finalized with experts’ inputs using a Likert scale survey. With a Kappa analysis, these drivers were classified into four groups: technical (T), organization (O), human (H) and institution (I). An integrated multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method of the Fermatean fuzzy set (FFS) analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) was used to rank the key drivers and explore their causal interrelationships. Findings Improved performance output, organizational preparedness, user acceptance and continued support, guarantee of job security for technologically semi-skilled workers and government support are the five key drivers of AI incorporation in HSCM. Originality/value This study evaluates the key drivers of AI integration in HSCM with FFS-AHP-DEMATEL.