Metaverse-enabled crisis management for logistics and supply chains: a socio-technical framework

Purpose – Past crisis management frameworks describe phases and roles but provide limited operational guidance for real-time, cross-organisational coordination in logistics and supply-chain disruptions. This paper examines how metaverse capabilities can be orchestrated to support preparedness, response, recovery and learning in transportation and logistics networks. Design/methodology/approach – A two-phase study was conducted. Phase 1 undertook a systematic literature review (Scopus and Web of Science, 2015–2024) and applied structural topic modelling to identify metaverse-enabling crisis mechanisms. Phase 2 conducted semi-structured expert interviews (n = 11) and analysed them using thematic analysis. Evidence from both phases was integrated to recontextualise the metaverse SCOM framework to the Metaverse Crisis Management Framework. Findings – The analysis extends the seven interdependent framework components (people, organisation, management, technology, modelling, scope and task) and specifies crisis mechanisms including shared situational awareness, scenario stress-testing, governed data integration, coordinated resource allocation and multi-stakeholder decision-making. Originality/value – The study conceptualises the metaverse as a socio-technical coordination space that integrates technologies such as AI, Blockchain, digital twins, extended reality (XR) and governed data objects into crisis operations and provides an operationalisation roadmap for logistics pilots and evaluation.