The increasing expansion of the needs of human beings and societies has caused various aspects of human life and societies to face serious challenges and be considered. Supply chain organizations operate in a market in today's global environment that is increasingly complex and dynamic in nature. Stable supply chains are inevitable to meet drastic changes in customer needs. Research has shown that manufacturing companies need to accelerate the shift from focus to sustainability and use technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain to achieve the organization's goal. In this regard, by expanding the capabilities of the blockchain under the four main areas (1) designing incentive and tokenization mechanisms to promote green consumer behavior; (2) increase visibility throughout the product life cycle; (3) increase system efficiency while reducing development and operating costs; And (4) strengthen the monitoring of sustainability and performance reporting in supply chain networks; it can be seen that the supply chain based on these transformational technologies can play a colorful role in creating stability and a green and efficient supply chain. In this study, the potential opportunities in the IoT to create a sustainable supply chain are discussed. Also, based on this study, a framework has been proposed to show the relationships and effects of the constituent elements of a stable supply chain system based on the Internet of Things and blockchain. The conceptual framework is designed with an emphasis on sustainable development, collaboration and management and can provide a good perspective for implementing a sustainable supply chain based on technology
S. K. Joshi, Manu Sharma, Rashmi Prava Das, Kamalakanta Muduli · 8 authors
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected more than 214 countries across the world, disrupting the supply of essential commodities. As the pandemic has spread, humanitarian activities (HAs) have attempted to manage the various situation but appear ineffective due to lack of collaboration and information sharing, inability to respond towards disruption, etc. This study aims to determine and provide insights into the critical factors that may enhance the effectiveness of HAs during the pandemic. A systematic literature review was undertaken to explore critical factors and validated by experts using the fuzzy–Delphi method. These were further assessed to identify the cause-and-effect relationship by means of the fuzzy decision-making trial and laboratory (DEMATEL) method. The results show that building a blockchain-enabled digital humanitarian network (BT-DHN) is the most significant factor during the pandemic. The use of digital platforms for sharing real-time information enhances the effectiveness of HAs. This study offers stakeholders, policymakers, and decision-makers the opportunity to consider these factors in strategic planning to deal with pandemic disruption.
Blockchain is an open digital ledger technology that has the capability of significantly altering the way that people operations (i.e. human resource management) operate in organizations. This research takes a first step in proposing several ways in which the blockchain technology can be used to improve current organizational practices, while also considering the ethical implications. Specifically, the paper examines the role that blockchain technology plays in three primary areas of people operations: (1) entry to the organization (via recruitment and selection), (2) intraorganizational processes (including compensation via smart contracts, retention and motivation via shared leadership and conflict management via network-based dispute resolution, and performance management), and (3) exit (offboarding). In each section, the paper reviews the ethical implications from the lenses of virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontology and contractarianism. The paper concludes that in whole the implementation of blockchain technology in people operations processes can create a more ethical work environment. However, careful implementation is necessary and requires extensive examination of ethical implications in advance.
Bongisizwe Erasmus Buthelezi, Patrick Ndayizigamiye, Hossana Twinomurinzi, Shopee Dube
This paper systematically reviews the literature on the adoption of Blockchain technology in Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes. Using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) methodology, 53 peer-reviewed research publications from five different databases (IEEE Xplore, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost) were selected and analyzed using a classification coding framework. The findings reveal that Agri-food traceability, Blockchain security, smart contracts, and the Internet of Things (IoT) were the significant identified current trends in the use of Blockchain in SCM processes. The key identified challenges include high costs of transactions and a lack of trust between stakeholders. Identified solutions were Blockchain traceability systems and the use of smart contracts and IoTs. In addition, this paper identified gaps in the literature that need to be addressed in future studies.
The supply network becomes more fragile as it becomes more complex, affecting the core firm’s performance. While previous research on supply network complexity existence paradox. Therefore, to study the nature of supply network complexity, this paper divides the supply chain complexity utility into positive and negative valences based on the valence framework and divides supply chain complexity into supply base complexity, customer base complexity, and logistics base complexity. Based on the trustworthiness and transparency characteristics of blockchain technology, this paper investigates how to use blockchain technology to reduce the negative valence of supply chain complexity while adapting to or improving the positive valence to improve enterprise competitiveness and supply chain sustainability. As a result, the focus of this paper is on how to better manage supply chain complexity using blockchain technologies to increase supply chain sustainability and viability.
Yet we cannot guarantee that the information that is shared among supply chain entities is correct. Blockchain has been proposed to solve the lack of trust in financial transactions. This paper examines whether blockchain enables entities in the supply chain to trust the shared information regarding the physical flow. A conceptual framework is proposed to explain how and why supply chain entities can trust the shared information when using blockchain. This paper deepens our knowledge of the use of blockchain in the supply chain. It also provides valuable insights to those working in information and supply chain management related-fields.
With the deepening of globalization and the improvement of the fineness of production division and cooperation, various forms of suppliers coexist, and the supply chain network becomes complex and fragmented. Traditional supply chain management mode and purchasing mechanism cannot respond to the changes of the times in time, and enterprises and suppliers cannot connect. As a new type of financial service, supply chain finance plays an important role in solving the financing difficulties and expensive problems of SMEs. However, in recent years, traditional supply chain finance has encountered many problems, and it has gradually become a trend to empower traditional supply chain finance with blockchain technology. This paper proposes a blockchain supply chain financing risk assessment and behavior prediction algorithm. By analyzing the development status of supply chain business, it puts forward corresponding preventive measures to effectively improve the efficiency of supply chain financing. Firstly, the paper puts forward the double‐chain management system and constructs the double‐chain management architecture and operation flow; Thirdly, the weighting method of enterprise financing risk evaluation index based on variance homogeneity test is put forward to explain; Finally, five enterprises are tested on the data set, and the performance of TPR, FPR, Precision, Recall, F‐Measure, and Accuracy is compared. Different enterprises have the problem of supply chain financing risk.
The purpose of this review is to investigate the landscape of scientific literature in analyzing the blockchain technology capabilities for enhancing supply chain resilience in times of increased risk and uncertainty. This article adopts a systematic literature analysis to extract and analyze the related papers. It is found that the blockchain technology can be considered as enabling technology for supply chain risk management. It helps to manage different types of risks in different industries, leading to resilience and robustness of a supply chain. This review also suggested that new research methodology, wider industrial adoption and combined implementation of blockchain and other advanced technologies can be investigated in the future to reduce supply chain risk more efficiently and effectively.
Blockchain technology is promising toward transforming conventional construction practices to improve collaboration and integration management in engineering-construction projects. The factors affecting the adoption of blockchain technology from the different stakeholder perspectives, however, have not been thoroughly investigated. Following the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and regulatory focus theory (RFT), this study explores the formation mechanisms underlying blockchain technology adoption from a multi-stakeholder perspective. The model was tested through partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method using data collected from Chinese construction practitioners. PLS-SEM results indicate that institutional pressures, perceived functional benefits, and behavioral control can directly drive blockchain adoption. Although perceived symbolic benefits do not directly affect blockchain adoption, their indirect effects on adoption are fully mediated by adoption intention. The PLS multi-group analysis found multiple path differences among stakeholders. The fsQCA results show that no single factor or its negation is the necessary condition to trigger blockchain technology adoption. The configuration analysis results show four new configurations that trigger the adoption of blockchain technology by owners, contractors, and consultants. This study not only enriches the related research on TPB and blockchains but also helps technology promoters to use strategies tailored to different stakeholders in theory and practice to improve blockchain technology adoption.
As a temporary facility, scaffolding has an essential role in providing a work environment at height in the construction industry. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 65% of laborers work on scaffolding. Scaffolding work information needs to be effectively managed with reliability to provide a safe environment. However, managing information of the scaffolding work process remains challenging in forgery risk and manual verification. Blockchain has been widely introduced as an accountable and efficient information management solution. This study presents a blockchain-based system for scaffolding work to grant reliability and efficiency of information management. The system is developed to secure applicability by considering three aspects: (1) optimal blockchain platform regarding characteristics of scaffolding work; (2) storage method to address the hindrance of blockchain; (3) information needed to be compared for verifying adequacy. The detailed configuration and process model for the system is categorically presented, and validated via a case study. The case study confirmed that the system was able to store the information in the block smoothly, verify the information using the smart contract successfully, and remain the block size constant by using off-chain. The proposed system has the potential of practical applicability and could contribute to mitigate potential safety risks associated with inadequate scaffolding work management. Furthermore, the proposed system development flow can be leveraged as a guideline to extend blockchain applications to diverse areas in the construction domain.
Yingli Wang, Jean-Paul Skeete, John Barker, Maxim Filimonov
This paper reports the main findings from a design science research project that sets out to explore and understand the need for a more scientific and democratised process for preselecting, vetting, and engaging start-up and SME suppliers in a manufacturing environment. The project, using aerospace manufacturing as a test case will investigate the feasibility of using artificially intelligent web-scraping, third-party APIs, and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) to provide a localised and highly automated manufacturing marketplace. This paper's findings lend insight into emerging digital platform engagements between participating supply chain actors in open innovation environments.
Arthur Egwuonwu, Arthur Egwuonwu, Chima Mordi, Ambrose Egwuonwu · 6 authors
Abstract Despite the increasing proliferation of deploying the internet of things (IoT) in the global value chain (GVC), several challenges might lead to a lack of trust among value chain partners, for example, technical challenges (i.e., confidentiality, authenticity, and privacy); and security challenges (i.e., counterfeiting, physical tampering, and data theft). In this study, we argue that blockchain technology (BT), when combined with the IoT ecosystem, will strengthen GVC and enhance value creation and capture among value chain partners. Therefore, we examine the impact of BT combined with the IoT ecosystem and how it can be utilized to enhance value creation and capture among value chain partners. We collected data through an online survey, and 265 U.K. Agri‐food retailers completed the survey. Our data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Our finding reveals that BT enhances GVC by improving IoT scalability, security, and traceability combined with the IoT ecosystem. Moreover, the combination of BT and IoT strengthens GVC and creates more value for value chain partners, which serves as a competitive advantage. Finally, our research outlines the theoretical and practical contribution of combining BT and the IoT ecosystem.
Weifeng Chen, David Botchie, Ashley Braganza, Hongdan Han
Abstract This study advances theoretical insights into blockchain adoption in the context of global value chains from a transaction cost theory perspective. The research has adopted an exploratory qualitative approach using the Netnography method to scrutinize the case of TradeLens—a thriving blockchain‐enabled ecosystem that Maersk and IBM jointly developed. This study applies textual and audiovisual data from company websites and social media. Our findings indicate blockchain technology's salient and strategic relevance in streamlining business processes, improving efficiency, enhancing visibility, transparency, and traceability for value creation in the global value chains. This investigation supports the notion that blockchain, as a disruptor, will transform global trade with the digital tools to share real‐time information and collaborate security to reduce search and information cost, policing and enforcement cost in global economic transactions and administrative friction in trade. In contrast, the bargaining cost will increase if the information for the transaction is hard to verify where human actor intervention will be required, implying relatively higher designing costs in codifying the agreements in smart contracts.
José Manuel Guaita Martínez, Patricia Carracedo, Dolores Gorgues Comas, Carlos H. Siemens
The scientific community has become concerned about the impact of blockchain technology as a motivational tool in the COVID-19 era. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of scientific articles published in this field has been increasing, making it highly desirable to carry out a bibliometric study to identify research efforts. Therefore, the aim of this work was to conduct a literature review of blockchain and COVID-19 technology in the field of Business Management to identify recent lines of research. To do so, we used a text mining technique on a corpus composed of 37 articles in the Web of Science database. The results obtained clearly show 3 distinct clusters. The first represents the blockchain technology framework in organizations and stakeholders in which the research methodology in artificial intelligence is very important. The second shows the need to take into account business sustainability caused by COVID-19. The third indicates the impact of the pandemic on the supply chain industry.
Supply chain management (SCM) is a core corporate activity responsible for moving commodities and services from one point to another through various stakeholders. The traditional SCM is based on a centralized approach managed at the central headquarter, and all other sub-offices get instructions from the main office. Some major issues with present SCM systems are security, transactional transparency, traceability, stakeholder involvement, product counterfeiting, additional delays, fraud, and instabilities. Blockchain (BC) emerges as a technology that can manage the data and build trust efficiently and transparently. It can also aid in transaction authorization and verification in the supply chain or payments without a third party. To address the present SCM issues, BC technology is a feasible solution. Motivated by the aforementioned considerations, in this paper, we present a survey on the adoption of BC in SCM. This paper undertakes a comprehensive analysis of the literature on BC characteristics, implementations, and business consequences in various SCM. This Blockchain-centered study, in particular, discloses the research state and delineates future research directions by studying and analyzing 97 up-to-date publications highlighting BC’s supply chain uses. Transparency and traceability, information sharing, product anti-counterfeiting, and building trust are the major aspects propelling BC’s implementation in SCM. Further, we analyzed various applications of SCM in which BC can be used as a probable technology to secure all transactions. Then, we have highlighted open issues and research challenges for adopting BC technology in SCM that open the doors for beginners eager to start work in this amazing area.
This chapter considers the advances in governance and how this frames crisis management and product recalls in food supply chains. Effective food recalls following a food safety or legality related incident are supported by traceability systems that range from being paper based to those that apply the newest technology. This chapter is written to consider the value of Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLTs) for the improvements in food supply chain governance structures that are especially tested during product recalls. The focus is on identifying advantages of Blockchain systems within public-private partnerships (PPPs) for food governance. There is a great potential to reduce information asymmetry, which is a key barrier to supply chain development, innovation and efficiency, and effective crisis management and product recalls with the use of DLTs including Blockchain. PPPs for supply chain governance can deliver value at the supply chain and wider stakeholder level including developing Blockchain consortia to improve overall efficiency and integrity in data collection, storage and sharing.
Purpose This study aims to present consolidated information on blockchain, which seeks to better clarify the concept of blockchain and the associated implications and characteristics. Design/methodology/approach The methodological procedure used was Grounded Theory, based on a Systematic Bibliographic Review on the adoption of blockchain in supply chain management. To add experts' opinion on the subject to the analyzed panorama, data from a survey were also considered in the analysis. Findings The Grounded Theory enabled the development of consolidated information on blockchain related knowledge, identifying benefits, fragilities and contributions of the concept for supply chain management. Originality/value An epistemological gap has been identified between the use of blockchain in supply chain management and a theoretical basis to support the application. The originality of this study lies in providing a proposition of this theoretical basis.
Purpose This paper aims to explore the potential of blockchain technology (BT) to support the operational excellence in perishable food supply chain (PFSC) during outbreaks, by doing use-case analysis. Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review is performed to determine the dimensions of operational excellence in the food supply chain (FSC), then a single use-case analysis is conducted to explore the potential of blockchain in order to achieve operational excellence for PFSC during the pandemics by applying context, interventions, mechanism and outcomes (CIMO) logic. Findings The findings of this study reveal that blockchain capabilities such as immutability and transparency, visibility, traceability, integration and interoperability, disintermediation and decentralisation, smart contracts and consensus mechanism provide better sustainable operational excellence outcomes for PFSCs to be more responsive, flexible, efficient and collaborative to cope with the impacts of COVID-19. Research limitations/implications This research employs only one real case with multiple PFSC participants. Statistical generalisation is not possible at this stage of the research. However, the findings are not restricted to this single use-case. Practical implications This study provides a research direction to explore the potential of BT to achieve operational excellence in the PFSC during outbreaks and generates prescriptive knowledge for better managerial decision-making across the PFSC during outbreaks. Originality/value This research conducts semi-structured interviews with different participants in one blockchain ecosystem to understand multiple participants' perspectives of operational excellence within PFSC.
In supply chains where stakeholders belong to the economically disadvantaged segment and form an important part of the supply chain distribution, the complexities grow manifold. Fisheries in developing nations are one such sector where the complexity is not only due to the produce being perishable but also due to the livelihood dependence of others in the coastal regions that belong to the section of economically disadvantaged. This paper explains the contextual challenges of fish supply chain in a developing country and describes how integrating disruptive technologies can address those challenges. Through a positive deviance approach, we show how firms can help unorganized supply chains with economically disadvantaged suppliers by carefully redesigning the supply chain through the integration of satellite imagery and blockchain technology. With COVID-19 in the backdrop, we highlight how such technologies significantly improves the supply chain resilience and at the same time contributes to the income generating opportunities of poor fisherfolks in developing nations. Our study has important implications to both developing markets and food supply chain practitioners as this paper tackles issues such as perishability, demand-supply mismatch, unfair prices, and quality related data transparency in the entire value chain.