In this post, topics for future PhD candidates are introduced. The topics can roughly be divided into:

  • Humanitarian logistics,
  • Supply chain risk resilience & security, and
  • Sustainable & responsible supply chains.

In Humanitarian logistics we have:

Humanitarian logistics services 

Logistics service provision in the humanitarian context is significant. It represents the first category of services procured by humanitarian organizations. Both commercial and humanitarian logistics providers co-exist in this billion-dollar industry. However, research on this topic is rather scant. How different types of service providers collaborate, how different services integrate to create a seamless supply chain and which service provision model adapts better to the humanitarian context are some of the questions that need further attention. 

Crisis preparedness 

Climate change will result in an increasing number of natural disasters, while geopolitical tensions likely will trigger conflicts, not forgetting about threats as polarization, hybrid influence or emerging technologies, such as AI. To prevent human and material losses there is the need to analyze both threats and responses to them, mitigation strategies and post-disaster reconstruction. Research in crisis preparedness can be focused on different geographical regions and countries, lessons from past disasters, preparedness, or training. Especially topics such as localization, link with sustainability. Research might cover selected sectors (public, commercial, humanitarian), or look at interaction between them. 

Logistics for people in the move, temporary settlements, migration logistics 

Forced displacement is one of the biggest humanitarian challenges faced by the international community in the 21st century. At the end of 2022, 62.5 million people remained internally displaced because of conflict and violence, and 8.7M as a result of disasters. In spite of great advances on humanitarian logistics research, little has been done regarding the logistics required during migration (people on the move) or for temporary settlements.

Humanitarian logistics in conflict and complex emergencies

Conflict zones provide particular challenges for humanitarian operations. The principle of neutrality can be tricky to uphold amid shifting frontlines and global political pressures. At the same time, access and security are important practical considerations for logistics in these areas. A resurgence in siege warfare in particular is a tactic that specifically targets supply chains and for besieged populations effective humanitarian logistics is truly a matter of life and death. Topics in this area can focus on how humanitarian logistics can best reach people in conflict-affected areas, as well as in complex emergencies where war and natural disasters overlap.

Circular economy and waste management in humanitarian logistics

Humanitarian logistics, from the frequent use of air freight to the abundance of plastic packaging, can take a toll on the environment, particularly in the vulnerable places it aims to reach. Our research in this area explores circular economy practices for humanitarian supply chains, for example waste management approaches for field hospitals.

In Supply chain risk, resilience & security we have:

Resilient freight transport systems 

Even outside of issues like the Suez Canal blockage in 2021 that receive abundant media coverage, there are many disruptions to freight transport systems that affect global supply chains. From low water levels to cyber-attacks, our research in this area focuses on increasing the resilient of freight transport systems to allow the more efficient flow of goods. 

Security of supply (and critical infrastructure) 

Security of supply is fundamental to the societal resilience of a country. Preparedness, and the mitigation of supply chain disruptions support security of supply in many different sectors. This topic further contributes to comprehensive security. 

Crisis/disaster preparedness (policy and practice) 

Supply chains and war (sanctions, friendshoring, transport chokepoints etc.) 

Supply chains are profoundly affected by geopolitical crises. 

Trade wars, tariffs, and sanctions can influence supply chain design with strategies such as friendshoring gaining traction and may result in increased prices even limit the availability of goods in certain areas. At the same time, transport networks are increasingly targets of hybrid attacks, for example with ports being targeted with cyberattacks. Physical attacks also impact transport, as seen with the effects of the attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Topics in this area can focus on the diverse ways in which supply chains and war interact, focusing both on existing issues and forecasting the impact of potential future scenarios. 

Supply chain risk management (company level, including SMEs) 

Especially with regards to cascading disasters, overlapping ones, and their incident evolutions. 

Medical logistics / medical supply chains 

Logistics and supply chain management were much highlighted as a backbone to the functioning of public health care during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are not only important for e.g. vaccine distribution and related cold chains but also in regular health care provision, whether concerning pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or the deployment of emergency medical teams and entire field hospitals. Recently, more attention is also paid to environmental considerations in medical supply chains across a variety of topics, from waste management to product and packaging design for circularity, to sustainable energy solutions for medical cold chains. 

Technologies and solutions for resilient supply chains 

Maintenance- and asset management in critical infrastructure

In Sustainable and responsible supply chains we have:

Carbon removal de-circularity 

Supply Chain impacts of EU sustainability regulatory instruments 

Example: Corporate sustainability due diligence in supply chains 

  • The impacts of corporate sustainability due diligence on suppliers, upgrading and downgrading effects. 
  • Governing human rights-based approaches in global value chains. 
  • Ensuring HRDD compliance in global supply chains, the role of procurement in CSDDD. 

Other EU regulatory instruments with clear supply chain impacts could be eg. Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Regulation on Prohibiting Products Made with Forced Labour on the Union Market (FLR), Conflict Minerals Regulation, or Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) 

Sustainable and circular procurement 

Procurement management has a unique ability to contribute to the CE agenda. Our research in this area focuses on procurement strategies that emphasize sustainability and circular economy principles, aiming to minimize environmental impact and promote the efficient use of resources. 

Sustainable innovative last mile distribution 

Increasing number of last mile deliveries has negative externalities. Research that takes both multiple stakeholder perspective and integrated innovative technologies and business is needed to overcame these challenges both in urban and rural contexts.

Technologies and solutions for circular, resilient or sustainable supply chains 

Solving real world challenges requires real world solutions, that are implemented by the organisations facing the challenges. Through developing a deep understanding of solutions that organisations implement in order to become circular, more resilient and/or sustainable, we reach a deeper understanding of how the challenges could be addressed. Ideally the research would focus on a technological/managerial solution, its implementation and impact.

Those who have completed a university level Master’s degree can apply to Hanken for doctoral studies. Doctoral students (i.e., doctoral researchers, PhDs) may study for the degree Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) or for the degree Doctor of Philosophy. Application takes place 9.12. 2024-9.1.2025.