Mitigating corruption in humanitarian logistics: The moderating role of social media in Pakistan’s disaster relief operations

Corruption in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management remains a serious issue, especially during disaster relief operations, because it disrupts the fair distribution of aid and increases the hardships of affected communities. This study examines how social media can help reduce corruption in humanitarian logistics and supply chain management during disaster relief operations following the devastating 2022 flood in Pakistan. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a structured survey conducted between March and June 2023 targeting 380 individuals across three major flood-affected provinces in Pakistan. The participants included staff and volunteers from local NGOs, government agencies, and international relief organizations directly involved in the flood relief operation. This group was chosen for its firsthand experience in managing and delivering aid during the 2022 floods, making the sample both relevant and informed. The results were analyzed using SmartPLS and SPSS software. The findings show that corruption in HLSCM has a significantly negative impact on the effectiveness of flood relief operations (β = –0.561; t-value = 9.765; p-value = 0.000). However, social media played a moderating role in this relationship (β = –0.060; t-value = 1.217; p-value = 0.022), acting as a helpful tool for spreading information, increasing public involvement, and promoting transparency. These insights are useful for donors, disaster management authorities, and aid organizations seeking to improve relief outcomes. This study adds to the current research by showing how social media can help reduce corruption and improve the delivery of aid in the humanitarian logistics of disaster relief operations.