Perspectives on How To Conduct Responsible Anti-Human Trafficking Research in Operations and Analytics

TL;DR

This paper discusses how Operations Management, Analytics, and Operations Research can responsibly support anti-human trafficking efforts by understanding key nuances, considering survivors, and applying appropriate analytical methods.

Contribution

It provides a framework of nine themes across representation, survivor considerations, and analytics to guide responsible research in anti-human trafficking.

Findings

Identifies nine key themes for responsible research

Highlights importance of survivor and community considerations

Provides domain expertise-based insights

Abstract

Human trafficking, the commercial exploitation of individuals, is a gross violation of human rights and harms societies, economies, health and development. The related disciplines of Operations Management (OM), Analytics, and Operations Research (OR) are uniquely positioned to support trafficking prevention and intervention efforts by efficiently evaluating a plethora of decision alternatives, and providing quantitative, actionable insights. As operations and analytical efforts in the counter-trafficking field emerge, it is imperative to grasp subtle yet distinctive nuances associated with human trafficking. This note is intended to inform those practitioners working in the field by highlighting key features of human trafficking activity. We grouped nine themes around three broad categories: (1) representation of human trafficking, (2) consideration of survivors and communities, and (3) analytics related. These insights are derived from our collective experience in working in this area and substantiated by domain expertise.