Impact of global technological turn and innovations for humanitarian aid and development: A systematic review on the pathways to sustainable development
Academic Article in Scopus
This study investigates how humanitarian technologies (HT) are reshaping pathways to sustainable development (SD) worldwide. It explores the critical intersection of humanitarian technology, existing sustainability frameworks, and global equity by emphasizing the transformative potential of innovations to advance human and planetary wellbeing. Using PRISMA guidelines, the study systematically assesses how humanity-based technologies have contributed to achieving the United Nations¿ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) between 2015 and 2024, while identifying trends, disparities, and policy implications that influence global sustainability outcomes. The research integrates bibliometric and trend analysis with data visualizations using analytical tools such as VOSviewer , Tableau , and R Statistics, used to analyze n = 431 peer-reviewed studies indexed in the Scopus database. The results reveal a significant global rise in HT research and its intersection with sustainable development, especially post-2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the intensified global focus on digital transformation agendas. Key findings reveal regional disparities, with innovation and funding concentrated in high-income economies, and limited access in low- and middle-income regions. Key technologies identified include artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Internet-of-Things (IoT), and renewable energy, leveraged to address challenges in domains like healthcare, education, energy access, disaster response, and climate change mitigation. As part of its contribution, the study proposes an HT for SD implementation framework and innovative model that integrates a systems thinking and quadruple helix approach that unites interdisciplinary dimensions of humanitarian technology, innovation systems, development studies, and policymaking, by addressing further gaps and extension of proposal within the existing literature to include a community-of-practice approach, decentralized innovation models and ecosystem, and global technological equity. The results help to inform policy design, equitable investment strategies, and training programs aimed at building digital capacity, effective use, and equitable access to sustainable technologies across regions. The implications of the study support governments, humanitarian agencies, industries, and policymakers in scaling context-sensitive, inclusive, and ethical technological solutions that foster both human and social progress, including environmental sustainability and global development.
