Divergent metrics: exploring supply chain performance in humanitarian organizations versus public and private sectors

Humanitarian organizations operate under conditions that require rapid response and flexibility, often in crisis situations where traditional supply chain metrics may not be applicable. Their focus on speed, adaptability, and stakeholder engagement contrasts sharply with the public and private sectors, which typically prioritize efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and long-term strategic planning. This paper investigates the differences in supply chain performance measurement between humanitarian organizations and the public and private sectors, highlighting the unique challenges and objectives that define each domain. Through a thorough literature review, we examine existing frameworks and metrics used in supply chain performance evaluation across these sectors. To achieve this goal, a systematic literature review was conducted, analyzing 57 articles published between 2000 and 2024 across four databases: IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, Scopus, and JSTOR. Our analysis reveals that while public and private sectors benefit from established performance metrics such as ROI and inventory turnover, humanitarian organizations often rely on qualitative measures and emergent indicators that capture the complexities of disaster response. As a result, this research introduces a model for supply chain performance specifically tailored for humanitarian organizations. The model includes the most relevant metrics and attributes to assist both researchers and practitioners in their future work.