Prioritizing vehicle-sharing challenges for disaster relief operations

Purpose

Humanitarian organizations (HOs) continue to lag in adopting the benefits of vehicle-sharing during disaster relief operations. Therefore, the primary objective of this study's investigation is to scrutinize and rank the important challenges that hinder vehicle-sharing initiatives among HOs.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a multi-method approach, incorporating both interviews and surveys. Initially, interviews are conducted with officials from HOs to explore the challenges associated with vehicle-sharing. Next, surveys are administered to officials of HOs to rank these identified challenges. This study is framed through the perspective or lens of innovative resistance theory.

Findings

The absence of government support and incentives emerges as the most critical challenge. This is followed by the unwillingness of top management and severe inter-organizational competition, which are the next most significant challenges. Subsequent challenges, in order of importance, include lack of trust, corruption and unethical behavior, lack of internal coordination, absence of a neutral third party, unawareness of potential benefits, varying characteristics of vehicles and compliance standards.

Research limitations/implications

By ranking these important challenges, the study offers a framework for prioritizing efforts and resources for interorganizational collaboration. The findings emphasize the need for policy interventions and strategic initiatives to address challenges to vehicle-sharing among HOs.

Practical implications

Key obstacles like the lack of government support, management unwillingness and inter-organizational competition highlight the importance of fostering collaboration.

Originality/value

The findings provide the first insights into vehicle-sharing challenges among HOs.