Transforming humanitarian supply chains with digital twin technology: a study on resilience and agility

Abstract

Purpose

The study examines the role of how Digital Twin Technology and stakeholder collaboration in enhancing supply chain resilience and agility, specifically within humanitarian aspects. The author used theoretical lenses of Resource-Based View to understand how combining advanced technological resources and relational resources could lead a firm towards better supply chain performance in conditions of volatility and complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a quantitative research approach, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyse data collected from key stakeholders involved in humanitarian supply chains. The model tests the relationships between Digital Twin Integration, stakeholder collaboration and the resulting supply chain outcomes, that is resilience and agility.

Findings

The findings indicate that Digital Twin Technology notably improves supply chain resilience and agility driven by real-time sensing, predictive analytics and process alignment. Additionally, stakeholder collaboration plays a mediator role in enabling organizations to gain full benefits of DTT. The research corroborates the importance of a combined use of technological and relational resources to enable an agile and resilient supply chain, especially in humanitarian settings.

Originality/value

The research makes a novel theoretical contribution by extending the Resource-Based View to appreciate advanced technologies like Digital Twin Technology and their integration in supply chains. The study presents a comprehensive model that integrates technology, collaboration, agility and offers new perspectives on the value of stakeholder engagement to ensure technological innovation delivers its optimum benefits.

Citation

Singh, R.K. (2025), "Transforming humanitarian supply chains with digital twin technology: a study on resilience and agility", The International Journal of Logistics Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-08-2024-0504