Nachhaltigkeit in der humanitären Supply Chain - Experteneinschätzungen und Praxisbeispiele

Abstract

The increasing occurrence of armed conflicts, climate-related disasters and political unrest leads to the necessity to make humanitarian aid more efficient in order to provide help to as many affected people as possible. However the humanitarian supply chain can also have a negative impact on people and the environment, meaning that in the worst case, aid organizations can work against their own goals. Humanitarian organizations have already recognized that the integration of sustainable strategies and processes into their supply chain is essential to minimize negative ecological and social impacts. However, the problem is that there are no standardized approaches and definitions for sustainability in the humanitarian supply chain. Thus, the question arises as to how humanitarian organizations can make their supply chains more sustainable and which entrepreneurial approaches are suitable for this. The master's thesis is divided into several sections that systematically build on each other. First, the terms humanitarian supply chain and sustainability are defined and conceptualized. This is followed by an analysis of well validated corporate sustainability approaches, including green supply chain management, the calculation of scope emissions and the social return on investment. These approaches are subjected to a SWOT analysis to identify their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The theoretical basis is complemented with qualitative interviews with experts in the field of humanitarian aid. This methodology makes it possible to gain practical insights and underpin the theoretical considerations. Finally, recommendations for action are formulated that serve as guidelines for the implementation of sustainable practices in humanitarian supply chains. The results of this thesis show that sustainable practices that are successfully applied in the private sector can also be relevant for humanitarian organizations but must be adapted to the specific challenges and framework conditions of these organizations. The interviews reveal that there is a growing awareness of the need for sustainability, but that there are also significant barriers such as a lack of resources and organizational obstacles. The handbook developed as part of this thesis offers concrete recommendations on how humanitarian organizations can make their supply chains more sustainable, including promoting local procurement, collaborating with businesses and academia, and considering the entire life cycle of aid supplies and projects.

Date of Award	2024
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Evelyn Kornmüller (Supervisor)