A Neutrosophic Causality Analysis (NCA) for Critical Success Factors of Humanitarian Logistics Management during Disaster

Humanitarian logistics management (HLM) is critical for effective disaster response and risk mitigation in disaster-prone regions like Vietnam, where unpredictable natural disasters complicate the identification of critical success factors (CSFs). This study employs a quantitative approach, utilizing insights from 50 experienced humanitarian logistics experts in Vietnam to create an unbiased dataset. By integrating Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) with Neutrosophic Sets (NSs), the research applies NS-Delphi for expert consensus, Neutrosophic Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (NSDEMATEL) to evaluate CSF interrelationships, and Neutrosophic Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (NS-WASPAS) to prioritize strategies. The analysis encompasses 50 variables across five dimensions: Strategic, Operational, Technological, Financial and Resource Management, and Social and Environmental factors. Findings emphasize the critical role of Technological, Financial, and Resource Management as system levers, urging humanitarian organizations to prioritize technological and financial capacities while enhancing EF integration to build a more responsive, flexible, and sustainable HLM system amidst global challenges. Key strategies prioritized include digital transformation, strategic planning, policy development, data-driven disaster response, and enhanced last-mile delivery capabilities, all vital for improving HLM effectiveness. These insights provide policymakers with a robust framework to strengthen HLM, ensuring timely and equitable relief operations in Vietnam’s complex disaster landscape.