Given the emerging nature of integrating Blockchain Technology (BCT) into several business fields concerning the interaction between companies and their customers, this study aims to investigate the applications of BCT in marketing through an accurate procedure of locating, selecting and analyzing existing companies using BCT in marketing. A sample that consists of 800 companies was identified using web-scraping methods. The data set was collected from initial coin offerings (ICO) websites as well as from an existing, older landscape of applications. The data set was then intensively analyzed in order to be categorized into five fields of marketing technology. Advertising and ecommerce outgrew the other fields of social & relationship, content & experience and data in absolute numbers, revealing the focus of practitioners in the past as well as gaps for the future. The authors provided future directions for researchers on and development of tools to systematically generate knowledge and improve the application of BCT and the work of practitioners in marketing.
As a part of food safety research, researches on food transactions safety has attracted increasing attention recently. Food choice is an important factor affecting food transactions safety: It can reflect consumer preferences and provide a basis for market regulation. Therefore, this paper proposes a food market regulation method based on blockchain and a deep learning model: Stacked autoencoders (SAEs). Blockchain is used to ensure the fairness of transactions and achieve transparency within the transaction process, thereby reducing the complexity of the trading environment. In order to enhance the usability, relevant Web pages have been developed to make it more friendly and conduct a security analysis for using blockchain. Consumers' reviews after the transactions are finished can be used to train SAEs in order to perform emotional tendencies predictions. Compared with different advanced models for predictions, the test results show that SAEs have a better performance. Furthermore, in order to provide a basis for the formulation of regulation strategies and its related policies, case studies of different traders and commodities have also been conducted, proving the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Purpose Blockchain technology was developed to synchronize the data and transactions over the supply chain network and connected nodes. This paper aims to show how blockchain technology can enhance flexibility and agility in supply chain operations. The integration of blockchain and other recently developed technology can help deal with supply chain uncertainties and other challenges being faced by the industry. Design/methodology/approach Through an extensive literature review of existing research papers and conversation with supply chain managers, barriers and challenges in the supply chain were identified. Some elements were researched of blockchain technology that can be used to resolve some challenges. Blockchain technology and other technologies integration is developed for implementation in supply chain for better visibility and efficiency of supply chain. Findings The challenges in the supply chain are categorized, and the solution is given through the integration of blockchain and other technologies like Internet of Things and artificial intelligence. The integration shows the execution of tasks through blockchain and various technologies in supply chain. Research limitations/implications Blockchain in supply chain is finding its strong place in India when compared to developing nations. There is a need for technology experts, supply chain managers and consumers to understand blockchainâs importance. Challenges faced by industries to use blockchain may be analyzed further with real-life industry case studies. Practical implications This research helps enterprises in successful execution of smart technologies in their supply chains. This research helps enterprises in successful execution of smart technologies in their supply chains. Managers and practitioners may use the models developed in real-time implementation. The technologies are described in detail to help the practitioners select the best suitable for their organization. Social implications Digital supply chains are finding the way in industries due to lean and efficient nature. It is beneficial to use the smart technologies to make supply chain green and sustainable. Originality/value The implementation of the digital supply chain and its challenges are discussed in the research paper. This will work as a platform for research in the area of technologies for supply chain.
New technologies are playing a fundamental role in the postmodern era of globalization where interpersonal interactions at the international level and the exchange of goods, services, information and capital are the basis of all activities. The agriculture sector is constantly facing numerous challenges including the steady growth of the population, climate change, the increasing number of catastrophes, the loss of biodiversity and the spread of parasites. This paper analyzes the impacts of Blockchain applications in agriculture and the food supply chain, through a survey literature review, providing the various players in the agriculture value chain with new tools and key technologies to improve production and distribution processes. To demonstrate the importance of applying the Blockchain in the agriculture sector, especially for emerging countries, the case of South Africa is examined. This focus is one of the unique aspects of this paper, which is the first to deal with this kind of solution applied to the South African context. Our findings indicate that Blockchain, in the e-agricultural context, has the potential for reshaping the entire sector, contributing also to the resolution of the food crisis. This paper discusses the overall implications, limits, challenges and potentials of these applications, from a critical point of view.
This study aims to explore the role of BC and its impact on CRM by suggesting an extended CRM on the basis of BC capabilities thru developing an analytic hierarchy planning-based framework to establish criteria weights developing a new self-assessment model to determine the most critical factors impacting the BC investment in CRM to enhance customer experience and to enable parties to work together in a trusted technology environment. An analytical hierarchical process (AHP) approach was utilized to prioritize and weigh the factors affecting the BC investment in modern CRM in the service industry based on the extant literature and its interpretation. This approach resulted in a ranking of 19 sub-factors based on experienced customer service professionals and technologistsâ evaluations. Findings revealed a significant insight into proposing a new generation of CRM based on BCT, focusing on using the powerful BC platform considering all factors influencing the BC investment in modern CRM from a business perspective. Understanding the new combination of BC and CRM can solve the challenges and dilemmas linked to the untrusted environment of handling CRM data in the information systems field. This study provides valuable information and critical analysis of BC regarding CRM integration. Directions for future research are also included.
The tourism industry is increasingly influenced by the evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT), which are revolutionizing the way people travel. In this work we want to investigate the use of innovative IT technologies by DMOs (Destination Management Organizations), focusing on blockchain technology, both from the point of view of research in the field, and in the study of the most relevant software projects. In particular, we intend to verify the benefits offered by these IT tools in the management and monitoring of a destination, without forgetting the implications for the other stakeholders involved. These technologies, in fact, can offer a wide range of services that can be useful throughout the life cycle of the destination.
Aaron M. Shew, Heather A. Snell, Rodolfo M. Nayga, Mary C. Lacity
Abstract Blockchain (BC) technology, defined as a shared information system to validate, secure, and permanently store transactions among multiple parties on a distributed ledger, presents many applications in agricultural and food industries. This study examines the application of BC in food traceability for beef in the United States using a choice experiment. Findings indicate that consumers value USDA certifications over BC traceability to guide their meat preferences. Our study suggests a number of industry implications, the most important of which suggests focusing business and consumer education on the value of product data, rather than on the value of the technologies that manage data.
The purpose of this research study is to analyze the exploratory study of the adoption of Bitcoin cryptocurrency based on blockchain technology and its use as a means of payment in companies. This research is exploratory in nature. As such, an adoption model was investigated using the technology acceptance model (TAM) which was extended with new variables. The sample was made up of business executives from companies and commercial establishments (n = 248). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was chosen as the analysis and evaluation technique for the model. The authors demonstrated that privacy has an important influence on perceived utility, and that trust has a very significant influence on privacy and perceived ease of use, thus indirectly affecting the intention to use cryptocurrencies.
Leonor Jardim, Samuel Pranto, Pedro Ruivo, Tiago Oliveira
This paper aims to identify the main drivers for Blockchain adoption within Supply Chains, following the Design Science Research (DSR) methodology and focusing on defining, validating, and reducing a myriad of factors with the aid of experts on both fields. Based on the literature review, and through means of questionnaires, factors were rated and refuted according to the relevance given. Two rounds narrowed the results, and upon consensus nine drivers were identified fitting under two categories: Challenges and Incentives. Considering the results are based on a limited number of factors, and the impact of firm-level influences were disregarded, respondentâs perceptions could have slightly varied if the sample of participants differed. Overall, it provides academics with a theoretical framework combining existing literature into a set of drivers. Providing insights to vendors on how their reputation may influence clientsâ adoption, whilst fulfilling a literature gap in the supply chain area.
In order to research how to promote online shopping consumersâ application of after service, build an evolutionary game model of both consumers and e-stores. This paper introduces the variables of supervision and punishment, tries to introduce the smart contract as a powerful service guarantee, and analyzes the influence relationship of variables between the two players and their strategic choices. This paper analyzes the ESS of the system when the relationship among smart contract, revenue, supervision and punishment meets 8 different conditions. Finally, giving suggestions to optimize the after service in online shopping according to the results.
Horst Treiblmaier, Daniel Leung, Andrei O. J. Kwok, Aaron Tham
Blockchain technologies are predicted to substantially transform the tourism industry. At present, cryptocurrencies are the most advanced application of public blockchains that promise benefits such as a universal means of payment and minimal fees through the removal of intermediaries. In the tourism industry, though many tourism vendors have been accepting cryptocurrencies and the potential of using cryptocurrencies in travel-related consumption has been intensively documented, existing knowledge about travellersâ intention to use cryptocurrencies for payment purposes is limited. Traditional models do not account for the idiosyncrasies of cryptocurrencies and are therefore less appropriate to foster the understanding of travellersâ adoption of travel-related payments. To fill this knowledge gap, an exploratory study was conducted with 161 travellers from the Asia-Pacific region who have previously consumed travel-related services with cryptocurrencies. Their previous usage experiences are analysed and reported. Through harnessing the correspondence analysis, several technological contingency factors were identified, as well as positive and negative perceptual antecedents. Additionally, their levels of satisfaction and intention to re-use the technology in future trips were investigated. Based on these findings, several propositions are suggested for guiding future research on travellersâ cryptocurrency adoption in the travel and tourism contexts.
Hee Jin Kim, Ji Sun Hong, Hyunchan Hwang, Sun Mi Kim · 5 authors
Bitcoin has unique characteristics that have inspired people to invest in it as well as distinct drawbacks. With a rapid increase in Bitcoin prices in the short term, more investors enthusiastically began investing in it, raising concerns about a speculative bubble. This study investigated the multiple factors involved in the Bitcoin craze despite concerns about its shortcomings. In what concerns to personality traits and psychological states, online use patterns, and investment patterns, we first hypothesized that Bitcoin investors would show differences in multiple factors when compared to share investors. Based on our assumptions about these differences, we secondly hypothesized that investorsâ personality, psychological states, and investment patterns could predict whether they would invest in Bitcoin or shares. In total, 307 respondents completed the research protocol and were sorted into Bitcoin investors (n = 101), share investors (n = 102), and non-investors (n = 104). A self-report questionnaire on demographic data, online use patterns, investment patterns as well as the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) scale, Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised-Short (TCI-RS), Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), trait anxiety part of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), and the Korean version of the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (K-CPGI) were administered. The results of this study indicated that Bitcoin investments can be attributed to the interaction of multiple factors, among which personality, psychological states, and investment patterns are particularly important. Specifically, the investment pattern is the strongest predictive factor for Bitcoin investment. Bitcoin investors were distinct with regard to higher novelty seeking, higher gambling tendencies, and unique investment patterns. Thus, personality, psychological states, and investment patterns could explain the substantial investments in Bitcoin.
Marko Hribernik, Kathrin Zero, Sebastian Kummer, David M. Herold
The growth in e-commerce has led to increased pressure within the courier, express and parcel (CEP) sector to tackle the âlast-mileâ issue and come up with solutions that not only satisfy the customers, but also other stakeholders such as city councils and other regulatory bodies. Scholars have highlighted micro-hubs and the associated horizontal collaboration as a possible solution, which might help alleviate problems associated with last-mile logistics in inner-city centers. However, trust and data exchange issues are considerable barriers to the introduction of horizontal collaboration, in particular between CEP carriers. To address the lack of trust and the issue of data exchange between carriers, the use of blockchain technology may present a solution, but existing research so far is limited concerning frameworks that specifically discuss blockchain technology in the context of micro-hubs and last-mile deliveries. In response, this paper presents a blockchain decision framework for a horizontal collaboration between CEP carriers based on key characteristics of existing blockchain decision models and relevant related research in the area of logistics and last-mile distribution. This is the first study that specifically addresses the use of blockchain technology for horizontal collaboration in the context of micro-hubs and last-mile deliveries.
The traditional loyalty systems usually offer people benefits in a specific sector. The users usually need to stay within the loyalty system for a long time and accumulate points in order to win rewards which may not be very interesting for them most of the time. Additionally, users usually do not prefer to share their personal information to join these loyalty systems due to privacy concerns. It has, therefore, been observed that the number of customers in the loyalty systems is decreasing day by day. To reduce these drawbacks a loyalty program which complies with ERC20 standards was proposed in this study using tokens based on the Ethereum blockchain. Using this new generation loyalty system, users can convert their earned tokens to Ether in the market and they can receive services or products with the accumulated tokens according to their interests from any supplier that has been contracted by the manufacturer. Additionally, users in the designed system do not need to carry many different cards, it is adequate to have only one Ethereum wallet. Furthermore, users do not need to share any personal data to join the loyalty system. Suppliers can also request Ether from the manufacturer for the tokens they have accumulated from the members of the loyalty system. The proposed loyalty system has been implemented and presented in this study.
Abstract Digital systems in railways known as âdigital railwaysâ have dramatically changed the railway industry and the nature of railway employeesâ work. The Digital Railway is in a large extend linked with the knowledge-based economy, knowledge management and knowledge management technologies which have had a significant impact on digital transformations in the industry and professional education. An ontology characterized the cause-effect and aggregative relations reflecting transformation chains in the various spheres of human activity and shedding light on the Digital Railway place in the context of digital economy is presented. The article argues that the Digital Railway role in changing mechanisms of interaction between industry and universities, which are also specialized research centres with closer ties to the industry, is best understood applying to the idea of âa smart contractâ that can be reduced to artificial intelligent agents serving as intermediaries providing interaction between the non-human and human roles in a business process. With the smart contract technology, the Digital Railway might provide a precedent in development of the Hybrid Corporate Intelligence based on industry-related knowledge redistributed between artificial intelligent agents and employees. From this perspective, the process of corporate informatization is seen through a system of artificial intelligent agents implying the formalization of operational rules and regulations into a shared knowledge base in a form of ontologies. The proposed idea can be transferred to universities where smart contracts may support professional training as a business process.
Open access
Consumer Retail Behavior Studies
Advanced Research in Systems and Signal Processing
The blockchain technology has witnessed growing interest since cryptocurrencies became popular in 2016. Not only through payment issues, but the tourism sector is also likely to be affected by the blockchain in terms of front- and back-stage processes. As the blockchain could replace traditional intermediaries, the structure of the tourism sector in the future has been discussed widely in the news. This article aims to conceptually examine the implications of blockchain along the value system in the tourism industry in order to identify its potential benefits. To address this, the methodology follows a content analysis of 175 news articles on the topic of blockchain and tourism, which are analysed through a qualitative news analysis and the method of GABEKÂź. The results imply blockchain applications along with the whole tourism value system, while it became apparent that traveling is streamlined through the transformation of time-intensive back-stage processes and thus offers extra value for travellers. Through its novelty in the academic discourse, the paper makes obstacles and regulations a subject of discussion, too.
Open access
Digital Marketing and Social Media
Consumer Retail Behavior Studies
Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification
With the advent and proliferation of the internet, the fourth industrial revolution is in full swing. As a result, different technologies have the potential to impact the course of human development. In other words, worldwide populations are moving towards growing urban centers and as a result, smart cities are emerging as the integration of human activities and technologies. These smart cities are built on top of different technologies such as blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT). Consequently, the applications of these technologies in current and future smart cities will not only change the nature of human interaction and governance but also how business is conducted. This paper proposes an experimental study (qualitative and quantitative) that will determine the impact of blockchain and IoT technologies on the development of smart cities. It aims to derive insight from questions such as how current business models are preparing themselves for this disruption, the challenges they will face, and the potential contributions the two technologies will have on business development. The studyâs outcomes will provide the rationale for why businesses should start paying attention to these technologies and start on an early adoption plan that will slowly transform their business models as smart cities mature.