Blockchain-Enhanced Trusted Social Manufacturing: A Perspective on Product Lifecycle Management

Abstract

Social manufacturing (SM) is an emerging manufacturing paradigm relying on advanced information and communication technologies to socialize and network manufacturing resources. It aims to enhance social participation, innovation, efficiency, and sustainable development. However, improving trustworthiness in SM is crucial and challenging for promoting open, collaborative, and innovative cooperation. Blockchain, as a distributed ledger technology, has the characteristics of decentralization, transparency, immutability, security, and automation, which can promote the realization of Trusted social manufacturing (TSM). This work categorizes Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) into five stages: 1) design; 2) manufacturing; 3) distribution and sales; 4) usage and maintenance; and 5) remanufacturing and recycling. Based on a PLM perspective, this work surveys studies on Blockchain-based TSM (BTSM). Particularly, it investigates and summarizes trustworthy dimensions achievable through blockchains in these five PLM stages, including decentralization, collaboration, intelligence, traceability, and security. Finally, this work presents essential open research issues and future work for BTSM.