Antecedents to social-ecological resilience in local humanitarian supply chains: evidence from African cataract camps

Purpose Local humanitarian supply chains (HSCs) have experienced increasing social and ecological pressures over the past two decades. Enhancing their social-ecological resilience (SER) has thus become increasingly important. Surprisingly, the existing supply chain management literature does not provide unified theoretical explanations or practical guidelines for the SER construct. This study aims to fill this gap. Design/methodology/approach The authors investigate the antecedents of SER in local HSCs employing a qualitative empirical study of cataract camps in Africa, using semi-structured in-depth interviews with relevant experts and subsequent qualitative data analysis. Findings The findings highlight that while conventional resilience typically depends on the robustness and flexibility of associated HSCs, their SER is primarily determined by their actors’ engagement with the local conditions shaped by the regional communities, regulations, and environments. Originality/value The study offers a novel theoretical understanding and practical application of the SER construct in an HSC context, shedding light on regional challenges and opportunities. HSC managers and policymakers can build on them to shape the SER profile of their local HSCs.