New research project to strengthen Nordic crisis preparedness

The project, Nordic Humanitarian-Business Collaboration for Preventive Emergency Logistics (NORD-PRELOG), is led by Wojciech Piotrowicz, associate professor and former director of the HUMLOG Institute at Hanken. 

Climate-related disasters, pandemics and geopolitical conflicts have exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains and critical societal functions in recent years. At the same time, both Finland and Sweden are increasing investments in preparedness, joint-trainings, and civil defence. 

Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain in coordinating the activities of public authorities, humanitarian organisations, businesses and volunteers. By focusing on preventive measures, the researchers aim to strengthen society’s resilience before emergencies occur.

“The goal is to develop a Nordic model for how businesses, humanitarian organisations and volunteers can collaborate to prevent disruptions and ensure that critical resources are available when they are needed most,” says Piotrowicz.

The researchers will examine collaboration between organisations such as the Red Cross and private-sector partners in Finland and Sweden. Particular attention will be paid to how logistics capabilities, digital solutions, and volunteer resources can be integrated into preparedness efforts. 

The project aims to identify barriers to collaboration, define critical capabilities and develop recommendations for organisations and decision-makers. The project runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2028.

The research team:

Wojciech Piotrowicz, associate professor, Hanken, the HUMLOG Institute
Amin Maghsoudi, senior fellow, Hanken, the HUMLOG Institute
Sofie Pilemalm, professor, Linköping University, Centre for Advanced Research in Emergency Response (CARER)