A Systematic Analysis of Big Data-Driven Humanitarian Supply Chain Management Research: Implications for Emerging Economies

Big data technologies have greatly enhanced the effectiveness of humanitarian logistics. However, most research in this area has focused on developed countries, with limited application to emerging economies. This study aims to address that gap by systematically reviewing global literature to broaden the understanding of big data-driven humanitarian supply chain management in developing countries. We analysed a collection of 64 scholarly articles using bibliometric techniques. The findings indicate that research in this field is experiencing exponential growth. The conceptual structure of the literature identifies six major themes: (1) big data and humanitarian logistics (motor theme), (2) digital technologies (a transitional theme evolving from foundational to central), (3) humanitarian supply chains (base theme), (4) emergency logistics (emerging theme), (5) blockchain technology, and (6) sustainability in humanitarian supply chains. This paper discusses both theoretical and practical implications relevant to emerging economies. By contextualising global knowledge for developing countries, we can enhance the legitimacy and applicability of considerable data-based humanitarian supply chain management research.