Patrick Burgess, Funlade Sunmola, Sigrid WertheimâHeck
The growing demand for transparency in sustainable food production creates a challenge for supply chains to meet the diverse information needs of stakeholders. This research addresses this challenge by identifying and prioritising information needs within sustainable food supply chains. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study identified 14 information needs, categorised them into three clusters: a) product and quality details information, b) production and processing information, and c) sustainability information, and prioritised the information needs. Experts highly prioritised information needs on quality and safety, followed by product origin and nutrition/ingredients. The research suggests that blockchain technology can play a role in supporting consumer decision-making. These findings can inform the development of information-sharing systems that enhance transparency and support consumer decision-making in sustainable food supply chains.
This paper examines the use of blockchain technology in power battery echelon recycling. The technology helps to improve battery capacity identification and market transaction trust. The study focuses on power battery manufacturers and recycling participants. Two recycling modes are constructed using the Stackelberg game method, and the optimal decision-making of the participating subjects in the two modes of power battery echelon recycling under the embedding of blockchain technology is compared. The influence of each parameter on the optimal decision-making is analyzed. The research findings indicate that the degree of blockchain technology integration rises as the preference coefficient for traceability information increases. When recycling competition is intense and the sensitivity of recycling prices is low, the optimal recycling model for the number of spent power batteries (SPBs) to be recycled is the model in which echelon utilizers do not participate in recycling if the level of cost optimization coefficient embedded in blockchain technology is high, otherwise, it is the model in which echelon utilizers participate in recycling. The profit of power battery manufacturers and echelon utilizers decreases with the increase of the intensity of power battery recycling competition, the cost optimization coefficient of echelon utilizers and the cost optimization coefficient of manufacturers.
Abstract Electric vehicles (EVs) and their battery recycling have recently garnered heightened attention from both firms and consumers, primarily driven by concerns related to environmental sustainability. However, consumers often grapple with uncertainties regarding the green valuation of EVs. Integrating blockchain traceability technology presents a promising solution to mitigate these ambiguities by providing traceable, immutable, and precise information. Within this context, this research, grounded in a game-theoretical framework, delves into the strategies involving blockchain traceability in the pre-purchase and post-purchase stages of EVs. Specifically, the paper analytically studies the influence of three distinct strategies, namely, non-blockchain traceability, forward blockchain traceability, and Forwardâreverse blockchain traceability, on the willingness of EV manufacturers to adopt blockchain technology. In addition, the study incorporates two prevalent government subsidies to scrutinize and contrast their implications on optimal outcomes. The findings of this study uncover the nuanced relationship between adopting blockchain traceability and its impact on EV sales. Notably, the research shows that the positive impact on consumersâ surplus from blockchain adoption depends on the cost coefficient of green low-carbon levels not exceeding a particular threshold. Moreover, regarding the use of government subsidies to enhance overall social welfare, it is shown that the forward blockchain traceability strategy should align with consumer-oriented subsidies and the Forwardâreverse blockchain traceability strategy with EV maker-oriented subsidies.
Francesca Spigarelli, Lorenzo Compagnucci, Dominique Lepore
Abstract This paper delves into the growing need for collaborative technological solutions to address environmental challenges, with a focus on the underexplored potential of Industry 4.0 technologies, in particular as regards blockchain technology (BCT) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Recognizing the obstacles faced by SMEs when embracing green and digital transformation, this research aims to investigate how innovation intermediaries are able to unlock the collaborative potential of BCT for SMEs so as to enhance their environmental sustainability. When assessing and analysing the role of innovation intermediaries, we have also considered their interconnections and interactions with other actors: universities, government institutions and firms (the so-called âstakeholdersâ). Our research is based on a multiple case study of a still largely unexplored intermediary in the European context, the digital innovation hub (DIH), which extends the applicability of the technological innovation system framework. This approach contributes to research both on innovation intermediaries and on the development of collaborative partnerships for digitalization. The findings reveal the challenges encountered by DIHs, particularly in legitimizing BCT-based solutions. To address these, identified, weaknesses, the paper proposes a conceptual roadmap aimed at improving collaboration among DIHs, SMEs, and their stakeholders. This roadmap outlines three essential functions: enabling, core, and facilitating effective partnerships and innovation processes.
Abstract Purpose Social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) allows for quantifying the social aspects related to the life cycle of a product and/or organization through an integrated and holistic approach. While there have been methodological and implementation advancements over the last years, there are still several critical issues, such as concern about the quality and availability of the data used in the assessment process. Therefore, this study aims to discuss the main peculiarities of Blockchain Technology and how it could be useful for S-LCA applications. Method The characteristics of Blockchain Technology were investigated in order to understand how and whether can be a synergistic support in the implementation of S-LCA. In order to do this, the main challenges and gaps of S-LCA methodology are identified. Therefore, a literature analysis was performed to identify the characteristics of Blockchain Technology within the context of SCM, how these peculiarities already support the life cycle thinking (LCT) tools, and whether these synergies can support also S-LCA studies. Results and discussion Blockchain is considered a revolutionary tool for supporting supply chain management due to its distributed data recording and assets tracking platform, which enhances transparency and provides real-time information. The traceability offered by Blockchain can be a valuable resource for conducting LCT studies, enabling improved data differentiation and origin identification as well as the identification of technology and inputs involved in analyzed product systems. Additionally, modeling a Blockchain to incorporate social data can aid in identifying locations, and the correlated social issues, where potential social risks occur by monitoring them over time. Consequently, a set of social indicators directly linked to social data should be defined for each supply chain evaluated. Conclusions The use of Blockchain Technology within S-LCA methodology approach will help organizations toward stronger supply chain management practices by tracing sustainable information related to products. Consequently, it can provide more transparent, reliable, and verifiable information to consumers on the productâs life cycle. From a methodological perspective, Blockchain Technology can serve to collect social data along the supply chain, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the life cycle of the product. By doing so, it is possible to identify social and socio-economic risks throughout the supply chain and monitor them over time in order to be used as potential internal benchmarks. Further developments will be needed to define the integration of Blockchain Technology within the framework of S-LCA and more broadly in social organizational LCA.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data Analytics (BDA) into Supply Chain Management (SCM) has transformed the industry by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of current AI applications in SCM, focusing on demand forecasting, inventory management, logistics, and transportation. Various AI techniques, including time-series forecasting, clustering, neural networks, SARIMA, and LSTM models, are discussed in detail. The impact of cutting-edge technologies on supply chain traceability and efficiency, such as blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT), is also examined in this article. Despite the significant advancements, challenges such as gaps in closed-loop supply chains, terminology inconsistencies, and the need for better technical-managerial alignment persist. This review recognizes future research directions to address and solve these challenges and highlights the potential for AI to drive further innovations in SCM. Through case studies and bibliometric analyses, this paper underscores the significance of a comprehensive strategy for supply chain redesign, integrating physical, facilities, and information management to enhance sustainability and market responsiveness. Keywordsâ Supply chain management , Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics (BDA), Demand forecasting, Inventory management, Logistics optimization, Blockchain , Internet of Things (IoT), Smart Transportation, Tactical planning, Strategic planning, Advanced available-to-promise (AATP), Sustainability in supply chain.
Syed Abdul Rehman Khan, Adnan Ahmed Sheikh, Nadir Munir Hassan, Yu Zhang
The growing awareness about natural resource scarcity is spreading across industries, compelling businesses to implement sustainability initiatives. The service sector, including small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) involved in logistical operations, is actively pursuing measures to achieve the expected sustainability goals. In recent years, incorporating sustainable service quality attributes (SSQAs) has become a crucial strategy for attaining competitive advantages and sustainability objectives. In this context, the current study examines sustainable service quality attributesâ role in achieving sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP) and obtaining triple bottom line sustainability outcomes. Data were obtained from 295 logistics service-providing SMEs using the purposive sampling technique. The acquired data were then analyzed using the structural equation model. According to the findings, SSQAs have a positive association with SSCP. The moderating roles of blockchain technology (BT) and environmental uncertainty (EU) were significant between SSQAs and SSCP. SSCP also mediated between SSQAs, BT, and TBL. Meanwhile, EU and BT also have a significant influencing role between SSQAs and SSCP. The study adds to the body of knowledge within the domain of sustainability, by testing the unique interaction between sustainable service quality attributes and SSCP. Likewise, the use of blockchain technology as a moderator on a given relationship is empirically unique in itself. The study also provides the first of their kind findings on the subject matter in the context of 295 logistics service-providing SMEs from a developing country like Pakistan. The studyâs findings are helpful for managers in transforming their services by embedding the SSQAs and developing their workforce to be equipped with the knowledge and facilities necessary to achieve TBL outcomes.
Abstract This paper investigates blockchain technology (BT) adoption strategy in a platform dualâchannel supply chain, wherein the supplier establishes a direct selling channel (DC) in addition to the existing reselling channel (RC) of the eâretailer. Both the supplier and the eâretailer are riskâaverse, and they have access to consumers through a common online platform. The online platform possesses the capability to introduce BT and can opt to introduce it to neither, one (DC or RC) or both channels. Game models for the four strategies are developed, and the corresponding equilibrium outcomes are obtained using backward induction. Our analysis reveals that when competition intensity is high and both perceived risk aversion level and BT's unit cost are low, the online platform prefers only DC with adopting BT. Otherwise, it prefers both channels with adopting BT. The supplier shares the same preference as the online platform for BT adoption strategy. Interestingly, the eâretailer prefers only DC with adopting BT only when BT's unit cost is high; otherwise, she prefers solely RC with adopting BT. Furthermore, we enhance the basic model by modifying parameter configurations and the sequence game, and verify that our main findings in these extensions remain robust.
Xinlai Liu, Wenbiao Liang, Yelin Fu, George Q. Huang
Investors are increasingly relying on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indexes to obtain a third-party assessment of corporate sustainability performance. Various ESG indexes are, therefore, released by prominent rating agencies, including MSCI, Sustainalytics, Refinitiv, etc. However, existing ESG indexes overvalue the usage of massive ESG metrics while ignoring various ESG disclosure levels, leading to critical issues such as limited company coverage, inflexible ESG framework, and obscure assessment processes. This paper proposes a novel Dual ESG Index (DESGI) model using blockchain technology to provide a flexible and transparent corporate sustainability assessment. Firstly, the DESGI model is developed by analogy to the rationale and concepts of the academic credit system due to its advantages of scalability and flexibility. Secondly, blockchain is used to build a transparent environment for ESG assessment. Thirdly, the smart contract and crypto token, as the core blockchain constructs, are used to achieve the dual-dimensional ESG depth and width assessment using ESG GPA and ESG credit, respectively. Finally, a case study is carried out to validate the DESGI by using real-life ESG data and comparing it with four existing ESG indexes. Several managerial implications are also found: (1) DESGI can expand the scope of companies evaluated by ESG criteria regardless of company size or scale; (2) DESGI provides a good potential to fight against greenwashing through the blockchain-based traceability; (3) DESGI can identify the ESG elites who disclose fewer ESG metrics but with excellent ESG performances, which can hardly be achieved using traditional ESG indexes.
Cristian Valencia-Payan, David Griol, Juan Carlos Corrales
Abstract A sustainable supply chain management strategy reduces risks and meets environmental, economic and social objectives by integrating environmental and financial practices. In an ever-changing environment, supply chains have become vulnerable at many levels. In a global supply chain, carefully tracing a product is of great importance to avoid future problems. This paper describes a self-updating smart contract, which includes data validation, for tracing global supply chains using blockchains. Our proposal uses a machine learning model to detect anomalies on traceable data, which helps supply chain operators detect anomalous behavior at any point in the chain in real time. Hyperledger Caliper has been used to evaluate our proposal, and obtained a combined average throughput of 184 transactions per second and an average latency of 0.41 seconds, ensuring that our proposal does not negatively impact supply chain processes while improving supply chain management through data anomaly detection.
Modern supply chain systems face significant challenges, including lack of transparency, inefficient inventory management, and vulnerability to disruptions and security threats. Traditional optimization methods often struggle to adapt to the complex and dynamic nature of these systems. This paper presents a novel blockchain-based zero-trust supply chain security framework integrated with deep reinforcement learning (SAC-rainbow) to address these challenges. The SAC-rainbow framework leverages the Soft ActorâCritic (SAC) algorithm with prioritized experience replay for inventory optimization and a blockchain-based zero-trust mechanism for secure supply chain management. The SAC-rainbow algorithm learns adaptive policies under demand uncertainty, while the blockchain architecture ensures secure, transparent, and traceable record-keeping and automated execution of supply chain transactions. An experiment using real-world supply chain data demonstrated the superior performance of the proposed framework in terms of reward maximization, inventory stability, and security metrics. The SAC-rainbow framework offers a promising solution for addressing the challenges of modern supply chains by leveraging blockchain, deep reinforcement learning, and zero-trust security principles. This research paves the way for developing secure, transparent, and efficient supply chain management systems in the face of growing complexity and security risks.
Purpose This study analyzes the performance implications of adopting blockchain to support supply chain business processes. The technology holds as many promises as implementation challenges, so interest in its impact on operational performance has grown steadily over the last few years. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on transaction cost economics and the contingency theory, we built a set of hypotheses. These were tested through a long-term event study and an ordinary least squares regression involving 130 adopters listed in North America. Findings Compared with the control sample, adopters displayed significant abnormal performance in terms of labor productivity, operating cycle and profitability, whereas sales appeared unaffected. Firms in regulated settings and closer to the end customer showed more positive effects. Neither industry-level competition nor the early involvement of a project partner emerged as relevant contextual factors. Originality/value This research presents the first extensive analysis of operational performance based on objective measures. In contrast to previous studies and theoretical predictions, the results indicate that blockchain adoption is not associated with sales improvement. This can be explained considering that secure data storage and sharing do not guarantee the factual credibility of recorded data, which needs to be proved to customers in alternative ways. Conversely, improvements in other operational performance dimensions confirm that blockchain can support inter-organizational transactions more efficiently. The results are relevant in times when, following hype, there are signs of disengagement with the technology.
In the era of globalisation, the use of technology and concerns for sustainability is eminent in the supply chain management practices. The current study focuses on sustainable and green supply practices in different stages of supply chain management and how they can be facilitated by blockchain technology (BT). The study has addressed the existing gaps in the area namely, the lack of research assessing stage-wise green supply chain for environmental performance focusing on BT. The current study aims to assess the impact of BT on different stages of the green supply chain and a firm's environmental performance. The study also focuses on analyzing the impact of green supply chain stages on environmental performance. The study uses PLS-based structural equation modelling approach to investigate the hypothesised relationships between BT adoption and stage-wise green supply chain practices. The data was collected from individuals from medium-sized enterprises from the manufacturing industry in India. The findings reveal a positive association between blockchain adoption and green supply chain management practices leading to enhancement in environmental performance. Furthermore, the study indicates a positive relationship between blockchain integration and different stages of the green supply chain, underscoring its multi-faceted impact on environmental performance. The findings imply that the BT adoption can facilitate the realization of sustainable supply chain practices and performance improvement.
This research aims to develop and optimize an intelligent supply chain framework tailored for the insurance industry by integrating an innovative inventory management policy supported by the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain technologies. Through an extensive literature review, key assumptions are established, needs are identified, and objectives are formulated. A multi-objective mathematical planning model is proposed to minimize cost and time within the supply chain, with optimization conducted under deterministic and fuzzy conditions. The model utilizes augmented epsilon constraint and weighted sum methods to address its multi-objectiveness. Noteworthy is the integration of advanced technologies such as Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), blockchain, and online sales, distinguishing it from traditional approaches. Initial validation and testing in smaller dimensions demonstrate the modelâs adaptability to precise methods, while larger dimensions necessitate the use of meta-heuristic algorithms for efficient problem resolution. Additionally, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis in the insurance industry on objective function coefficients reveals intricate relationships, offering valuable insights into optimization dynamics across diverse conditions.
Ubair Nisar, Zhixin Zhang, Bronwyn P. Wood, Shadab Ahmad · 8 authors
The application of blockchain technology holds significant potential for improving efficiency, resilience, and transparency within the Fisheries Supply Chain (FSC). This study addresses the critical barriers hindering the adoption of blockchain technology (BT) in the Chinese FSC, recognizing the unique challenges posed by its intricacies. Through a comprehensive literature review, fourteen Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) were identified, and a grey Delphi method was employed to distill this set. Five pivotal CBFs emerged, including "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network". A subsequent grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis revealed the causal relationships among these factors, categorizing them into effect and cause groups. "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network" were identified as primary influencing factors demanding attention for effective BT integration in the FSC. The findings serve as a valuable resource for FSC stakeholders, assisting in prioritizing efforts to address these barriers. The discerned causal relationships provide guidance for managers in optimizing resource allocation. Ultimately, this research advocates for the adoption of blockchain technology in the fisheries supply chain to enhance overall performance and operational efficiency.
Ardavan Babaei, Erfan Babaee Tırkolaee, Sadia Samar Ali
Abstract Blockchain Technology (BT) has the potential to revolutionize supply chain management by providing transparency, but it also poses significant environmental and security challenges. BT consumes energy and emits carbon gases, affecting its adoption in Supply Chains (SCs). The substantial energy demand of blockchain networks contributes to carbon emissions and sustainability risks. Moreover, for secure and reliable transactions, mutual authentication needs to be established to address security concerns raised by SC managers. This paper proposes a tri-objective optimization model for the simultaneous design of the SC-BT network, considering a two-step authentication process. The model considers transparency caused by BT members, emissions of BT, and costs related to BT and SC design. It also takes into account uncertainty conditions for participating BT members in the SC and the range of transparency, cost, and emission targets. To solve the model, a Branch and Efficiency (B&E) algorithm equipped with BT-related criteria is developed. The algorithm is implemented in a three-level SC and produces cost-effective and environmentally friendly outcomes. However, the adoption of BT in the SC can be costly and harmful to the environment under uncertain conditions. It is worth mentioning that implementing the proposed algorithm from our article in a three-level SC case study can result in a significant cost reduction of over 16% and an emission reduction of over 13%. The iterative nature of this algorithm plays a vital role in achieving these positive outcomes.
The growing complexity of construction supply chains and the significant impact of the construction industry on the environment demand an understanding of how to reuse and repurpose materials. In response to this critical challenge, research gaps that are significant in promoting material circularity are described. Despite its potential, the use of blockchain technology in construction faces challenges in verifiability, scalability, privacy, and interoperability. We propose a novel multilayer blockchain framework to enhance provenance tracking and data retrieval to enable a reliable audit trail. The framework utilises a privacy-centric solution that combines decentralised and centralised storage, security, and privacy. Furthermore, the framework implements access control to strengthen security and privacy, fostering transparency and information sharing among the stakeholders. These contributions collectively lead to trusted material circularity in a built environment. The implementation framework aims to create a prototype for blockchain applications in construction supply chains.
Diana-Cezara Toader, Corina RÄdulescu, Cezar Toader
Against a backdrop of globalization, dynamic shifts in consumer demand, and climate change impact, the intricacies of agri-food supply chains have become increasingly convoluted, necessitating innovative measures to guarantee agri-food security and authenticity. Blockchain technology emerges as a promising solution, offering transparency, immutability, traceability, and efficiency in the overall supply chain. This study aims to investigate determinants impacting both the intention to use and the actual usage of blockchain-driven agri-food supply chain platforms. To achieve this, an expanded and adapted conceptual model rooted in the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) was formulated and empirically examined through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling using data from 175 respondents from agri-food companies across eight European countries. Agri-Food Supply Chain Partner Preparedness (FSCPP) emerged as the pivotal factor with the highest degree of influence on the intention to use blockchain-driven supply chain platforms. Additionally, the results from this study offer support for the significant influence of Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), and Perceived Trust (PT) on usage intention, while also revealing the positive impact of Organizational Blockchain Readiness (OBR) on expected Usage Behavior (UB). This study provides significant insights into blockchain adoption within agri-food supply chains, contributing to the existing literature through an extended UTAUT framework.
The growing importance of sustainability in organizational success, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, underscores the need for leveraging technologies such as blockchain methods to enhance sustainability indicators across environmental, social, and economic pillars. This study aims to identify and understand the challenges hindering the adoption of blockchain technology in the pharmaceutical sector for improving sustainability performance, addressing two research topics: the specific challenges faced by blockchain adoption in this context and the interdependencies among these challenges. Employing a two-step approach, the study compiles challenges through a literature review, refines them via expert opinions, and establishes their interrelationships using methodologies like fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (FISM) and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC). The research contributes to unraveling the complex relationships and dependencies within the system, providing a structured framework for improved decision making and strategic planning. It fills a literature gap as the first attempt to outline driving and dependent factors related to the challenges of adopting blockchain technology for sustainability enhancement in the pharmaceutical sector, offering insights that can significantly impact brand image, company perception, and consumer value.
Purpose Blockchain technology (BCT) has emerged as a powerful tool for enhancing transparency and trust. However, the relationship between the benefits of BCT and agri-food supply chain performance (AFSCperf) remains underexplored. Therefore, the current study investigates the influence of BCT on AFSCperf and sustainability issues. Design/methodology/approach Through a comprehensive literature review, various benefits of BCT are identified. Subsequently, a research framework is proposed based on data collected from questionnaire surveys and personal visits to professionals in the agri-food industry. The proposed framework is validated using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings The findings reveal that BCT positively impacts AFSCperf by improving traceability, transparency, food safety and quality, immutability and trust. Additionally, BCT adoption enhances stakeholder collaboration, provides a decentralised network, improves data accessibility and yields a better return on investment, resulting in the overall improvement in AFSCperf and socio-economic sustainability. Practical implications This study offers valuable practical insights for practitioners and academicians, establishing empirical links between the benefits of BCT and AFSCperf and providing a deeper understanding of BCT adoption. Originality/value Stakeholders, managers, policymakers and technology providers can leverage these findings to optimise the benefits of BCT in enhancing AFSCperf. Moreover, it utilises rigorous theoretical and empirical approaches, drawing on a multidisciplinary perspective encompassing food operations and supply chain literature, public policy, information technology, strategy, organisational theory and sustainability.
Blockchain technology (BT) enhances the capacity to monitor products consistently, fostering supply chain responsiveness to a wide range of societal and environmental issues. Although BT is known as an innovative tool, there exist potential operational and organizational challenges affecting BT adoption. This study proposes a decision support approach to leverage risk management to analyze potential barriers associated with BT adoption in sustainable supply chains (SSCs). This approach is developed to model how the economic, social, and environmental-related barriers (e.g., energy consumption) and their corresponding risk factors are interrelated. To model the causal relationships (CRs) among the barriers identified through the literature review, the fuzzy cognitive map advanced by Z-number theory is embedded in the proposed approach. Then, a hybrid learning algorithm is employed to determine the criticality of the barriers. As the reliability of information affects the accuracy of decision-making, the Z-number theory applies uncertainty and reliability simultaneously in specifying the values of risk factors and the weights of the CRs. Taking advantage of the learning algorithm and Z-number theory, the findings show a reliable and unbiased ranking compared to the failure mode and effect analysis. This helps managers develop more efficient mitigation strategies to deal with critical barriers. The results of the study also imply that adoption costs, extra audits, and regulatory uncertainty are the critical barriers affecting SSC readiness.
Uli Wildan Nuryanto, Basrowi Basrowi, Icin Quraysin, Ika Pratiwi
This research investigates the intricate relationships between Environmental Management Control Systems (EMCS), Blockchain Adoption (BCHA), Cleaner Production (CLPR), Product Efficiency (PROD), Environmental Reputation (ENRE), and Environmental Performance (ENPE) within organizational contexts in Indonesia. The study aims to shed light on the role of technology adoption, sustainability practices, and reputation management in shaping environmental outcomes. Methodologically, the research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing survey data from diverse organizations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analyzes the data and tests the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal significant positive relationships between EMCS and BCHA, EMCS and CLPR, EMCS and PROD, BCHA and CLPR, BCHA and PROD, and BCHA and ENRE. Cleaner Production demonstrates a substantial positive impact on both ENRE and ENPE. Product Efficiency influences ENRE positively. However, the direct influence of PROD on ENPE is found to be inconclusive. The study contributes to understanding sustainability dynamics by highlighting the pivotal roles of EMCS, BCHA, CLPR, and PROD in driving environmental reputation and performance within organizations. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of aligning perceived reputation with tangible environmental commitment. Limitations include potential data constraints and the challenge of establishing causality due to the study's correlational nature. Future research is encouraged to explore diverse contexts, conduct in-depth case studies, and investigate moderating variables. This research offers novel insights into the complex interplay between technology adoption, sustainability practices, reputation management, and environmental outcomes, providing valuable guidance for organizations striving to navigate the sustainability landscape in an era of heightened environmental awareness.
When introducing a new product, firms must decide how to differentiate it from competitors through product positioning. In the low-carbon industry, positioning affective features of the products effectively gives firm a competitive edge. By applying blockchain to online product communities (OPCs), firms can gain insights into consumers' affective requirements during product positioning. In this study, we develop a game-theoretic framework to explore how to optimize affective design of low-carbon products with blockchain application. We find that firms' affective product design depends on two conflicting forces. On one hand, blockchain adoption in OPCs enhances estimation precision, motivating firms to provide mass products that meet mainstream marketplace requirements. On the other hand, blockchain implementation improves estimation similarity, inducing firms to target niche markets. The network effect exacerbates these two conflicting forces, and the trade-off between them determines firms' product design decisions. Additionally, we examine the impacts of blockchain adoption on firms' profits, environmental performance, consumer surplus, and social welfare. We discover that blockchain application in OPCs is always socially beneficial. However, blockchain adoption's effect on economic and environmental performance, as well as consumer surplus, is contingent on the significance of the conflicting forces. We further conduct a survey and in-depth interviews to validate these findings.
Shivangi Viral Thakker, Santosh B. Rane, Vaibhav S. Narwane
Purpose Digital supply chains require nascent technologies like blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT). There is a need to develop a roadmap for the implementation of these technologies, as they require a huge amount of resources and infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the challenges of implementing blockchain-IoT integrated architecture in the green supply chain and develop strategies for the same. Design/methodology/approach After a thorough literature survey of Scopus-indexed journals and books, 37 barriers were identified, which were then brought down to 15 barriers after confirming with industry and academic experts using the Delphi method. Using the total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) method and cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis, the barriers were modeled, and finally, strategies were formulated using a concept map to handle the barriers in the blockchain-IoT integrated architecture for a green supply chain. Findings This paper presents the research on barriers that can be considered for incorporating blockchain and IoT in the green supply chain. It was found from the TISM model that environmental concerns are Level-1 barriers and need to be addressed by developing appropriate technology and allocating funds for the same. An integrated ecosystem with blockchain and IoT is developed. Research limitations/implications The focus of this study was on the challenges of blockchain and IoT; hence, it is required to extend the research and find challenges for different industries and also analyze the criteria using other multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods. Further research is required for the integration of blockchain-IoT with supply chain functions. Practical implications The transformation of a traditional supply chain into a green supply chain is possible with the integration of technologies. This research work and the strategies developed are useful to managers and practitioners working on technology implementation. Planning resources and addressing key barriers is possible with the concept maps and architecture developed. Social implications Green supply chain management (SCM) is gaining importance in industry as well as the academic sector due to government Policies and norms worldwide for reducing emissions and encouraging environment-friendly production systems. Incorporating blockchain and IoT in a green supply chain will further digitize and increase transparency in supply chains. Originality/value We have done a categorization of all barriers based on the expert survey by academicians and industry experts from industries in India. The concept map helps in identifying possible solutions for the challenges and initiatives to be taken for the smooth integration of technologies in the green supply chain.