Building antifragile humanitarian supply chains: the role of transactive memory systems and big data analytics culture

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate how big data analytics culture (BDAC) contributes to the development of antifragile humanitarian supply chains. Specifically, this study examines the mediating role of transactive memory systems (TMSs) and the moderating role of the frequency of natural disasters in the relationship between TMS and antifragility. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected 290 survey responses from key humanitarian professionals involved in disaster response operations. To test the proposed relationships among BDAC, TMS, antifragility and disaster frequency, the authors used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Findings The results of this study reveal that BDAC enhances antifragility only when fact-based decision-making improves information credibility, member specialization and coordination, core manifestations of TMS. TMS fully mediates the relationship between BDAC and antifragility, while the positive effect of TMS on antifragility is stronger in contexts with frequent natural disasters. Originality/value This paper advances the literature by empirically demonstrating TMS as the underlying mechanism linking BDAC to antifragility in humanitarian supply chains, showing how TMS operate as microfoundations of dynamic capabilities that enable collective sensing, coordinated decision-making and the reconfiguration of practices.