Factors affecting global inventory prepositioning locations in humanitarian operations – a Delphi study

This article investigates the factors that are important to humanitarian organizations when determining locations for inventory prepositioning in preparation for emergencies - a critical decision faced by humanitarian managers. Current research in the sector is rich with mathematical models that focus on this decision, although these models have a limited scope in terms of decision factors. Through a Delphi study our article investigates, identifies, and orders a comprehensive set of factors that decision makers in the humanitarian sector take into consideration when determining where to preposition inventory on the global level. Through this process, 10 main factors are identified, with the top five factors being required: speed of emergency response, the availability and quality of infrastructure, the availability and quality of business support services, the cost of operating the facility, and the availability and quality of labor. We also include suggestions for facility location research based on the outcomes of our study.