Logistics services providers in humanitarian logistics. A bibliometric and systematic literature review.

In recent years, the importance of logistics services in disaster relief operations and the capacity of logistics services providers to improve humanitarian logistics have become an increasingly interesting topic for both professionals and academics. Logistics service providers (LSPs) have recently assumed a more prominent role inside the humanitarian logistics field. Since there are very few studies on this specific topic despite its cruciality, then our work contributes to filling the research gaps, with a specific perspective on LSPs. Our first aim is to define how the scientific humanitarian logistics and supply chain management literature has been developed referring to the role of LSPs. And secondly, we aim at understanding what are the main collaborations between LSP and humanitarians inside the humanitarian logistics and supply chain management literature. This study employs a dual approach, initially conducting a bibliometric research, subsequently followed by a systematic review in order to thoroughly analyze the scientific literature on the matter and better understand the significance of the role of LSPs. The results of this research may be of particular interest to academics and practitioners in both the business and humanitarian sectors because the opportunities to involve LSPs in disaster relief operations are reflected in the best outcome for the logistics of humanitarian aid to benefit people in need.