A systematic literature review of infrastructure resilience in humanitarian logistics: infrastructure types, failure causes and resilience dimensions

Purpose This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine infrastructure resilience in humanitarian logistics, focusing on types, failure causes and resilience dimensions of the infrastructure. This study aims to provide an integrated understanding of how critical infrastructures function under disruptions and the strategies that enhance their robustness. Design/methodology/approach Using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses framework, 41 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed to classify infrastructure types, identify root causes of failure and synthesize resilience dimensions. The review adopted a thematic approach to highlight interdependencies and systemic vulnerabilities. Findings This study identifies six major causes of infrastructure failure: natural disasters, man-made disasters, aging and deteriorating infrastructure, interdependencies, communication and coordination failures and other contextual constraints. It also revealed four resilience dimensions of the infrastructure, namely, structural and systematic features, operational and functional capabilities, adaptive and management capacities, as well as institutional and governance mechanisms, underscoring resilience as a dynamic, multi-layered capability rather than a static attribute. Practical implications The findings provide resilience strategies such as investing in adaptive infrastructure, enhancing cross-sector coordination and leveraging emerging technologies for policymakers, humanitarian organizations and infrastructure planners to enhance risk management. By addressing identified vulnerabilities and leveraging resilience dimensions, stakeholders can enhance disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Originality/value This study bridges fragmented literature on infrastructure resilience in humanitarian logistics by introducing a unified framework that integrates technical and institutional perspectives. It advances theory through the system-of-systems and dynamic capability lenses and offers practical guidance for policymakers and humanitarian organizations to strengthen preparedness, response and recovery.