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Humanitarian Operations and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Besiou
  • Alfonso J. Pedraza‐Martinez
  • Luk N. Van Wassenhove

Abstract

During emergencies humanitarian supply chains need to respond swiftly, very often without time for good planning that may end up in excessive waste and emissions. This short‐term focus on saving people's lives during disaster responses may harm communities and the planet in the long‐run. Even long‐term (development) focus on improving the life conditions of the poor may be either unsustainable due to the lack of community involvement or inequitable due to lack of resources. At the same time, countries closer to fulfilling the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs) suffer less from disasters but still struggle with issues such as social equity. There appears to be an important link between humanitarian operations and SDGs. This special issue focuses on this interaction through a rich variety of contributions using different methodologies, data and lenses, while proposing ways to advance the SDGs. The special issue clearly shows the value operations management can bring to short‐term and long‐term problems society faces.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Besiou & Alfonso J. Pedraza‐Martinez & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2021. "Humanitarian Operations and the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(12), pages 4343-4355, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:popmgt:v:30:y:2021:i:12:p:4343-4355
    DOI: 10.1111/poms.13579
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Hosseinifard, Zahra & Layaoen, Haerold Dean & Abareshi, Ahmad & Abbasi, Babak & Sheu, Jiuh-Biing, 2025. "A critical evaluation of non-profit organizations’ contributions to disaster management: Historical perspectives and future trends in operations management research," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    3. Stienen, Valentijn & den Hertog, Dick & Wagenaar, J.C. & de Zegher, J.F., 2022. "Enhancing Digital Road Networks for Better Operations in Developing Countries," Discussion Paper 2022-014, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    4. Stienen, Valentijn & den Hertog, Dick & Wagenaar, J.C. & de Zegher, J.F., 2022. "Enhancing Digital Road Networks for Better Operations in Developing Countries," Other publications TiSEM 745d1d0c-7af2-4759-add4-0, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    5. Xiaoyan Xu & Suresh P. Sethi & Sai‐Ho Chung & Tsan‐Ming Choi, 2023. "Reforming global supply chain management under pandemics: The GREAT‐3Rs framework," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(2), pages 524-546, February.
    6. Yang, Yongjian & Yin, Yunqiang & Wang, Dujuan & Ignatius, Joshua & Cheng, T.C.E. & Dhamotharan, Lalitha, 2023. "Distributionally robust multi-period location-allocation with multiple resources and capacity levels in humanitarian logistics," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 305(3), pages 1042-1062.
    7. Sameer Prasad & Harish Borra & Jason Woldt & Nezih Altay & Jasmine Tata, 2023. "Migrant flows: Humanitarian operational aspects of people in transit," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(10), pages 3311-3327, October.
    8. Guo, Yuanyuan & Chen, Yilang & Wu, Liang & Li, Longzhen & Li, Ruoxi, 2025. "How ecosystems coordinate architectures and AI in humanitarian operations? A configurational view," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    9. Amaya, Johanna & Serrano, Ivan & Cantillo, Víctor & Arellana, Julián & Pérez, Cinthia C., 2024. "Implications of trust, preparedness, risk perceptions, and local context on deprivation costs and disaster relief planning," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    10. Chengcheng Zhai & Kurt Bretthauer & Jorge Mejia & Alfonso Pedraza‐Martinez, 2023. "Improving drinking water access and equity in rural Sub‐Saharan Africa," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(9), pages 2921-2939, September.
    11. Charles J. Corbett & Alfonso J. Pedraza‐Martinez & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2022. "Sustainable humanitarian operations: An integrated perspective," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4393-4406, December.
    12. Nur Sunar & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan, 2022. "Socially relevant and inclusive operations management," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 31(12), pages 4379-4392, December.
    13. April Hoang & Matthew R. Sanders & Karen M. T. Turner & Alina Morawska & Vanessa Cobham & Carys Chainey & Erik Simmons, 2024. "Connecting families, schools, and communities: A systems‐contextual approach to sustainable futures for children," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 4505-4517, October.

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