Publication Date

1-1-2024

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

DOI

10.1108/JHLSCM-08-2023-0066

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold: first, to draw insights from the rich literature on humanitarian operations efforts to combat human trafficking; second, to inspire humanitarian operations researchers to work more on human anti-trafficking. Design/methodology/approach: This is a conceptual paper inspired by recent relevant reports, the academic literature and the authors’ years of involvement in both humanitarian operations and anti-trafficking. Findings: Humanitarian supply chains and human trafficking supply chains very often operate in the same environments and hence face similar challenges. The paper highlights the overlaps between the two domains and demonstrates how two decades of learnings from humanitarian supply chain literature can help improve the understanding of the more recent academic field of human trafficking supply chains significantly. Research limitations/implications: This study is conceptual and illuminates numerous opportunities for research in anti-trafficking. Practical implications: By inspiring more research on anti-trafficking, this paper hopes to facilitate enhancements to human trafficking operation to prevent more cases and protect victims. Social implications: There is an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of anti-trafficking activities, disrupt human trafficking and enlarge the “humanitarian space.” Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper to discuss human trafficking operations in relation to humanitarian supply chains.

Funding Number

70031

Funding Sponsor

Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose State University

Keywords

Human trafficking, Humanitarian operations, Modern slavery, Operations management

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Marketing and Business Analytics

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