Priscila Bayer de Oliveira Simões, CESAR AUGUSTO MASSARO, ROBERTO PINHEIRO PAVECK, MARCELO SCHNECK DE PAULA PESSÔA · 5 authors
A crescente complexidade do comércio internacional ressalta a importância dos PortCommunity Systems (PCS) para a eficiência portuária. Porém, a literatura carece deuma consolidação sistemática das boas práticas de tecnologia para tais sistemas. Esteestudo tem como objetivo identificar, analisar e categorizar tais práticas por meio deuma revisão de literatura e análise de conteúdo. A pesquisa foi realizada nas bases dedados Scopus e Web of Science, que resultou na análise de 17 artigos acadêmicos.Os resultados identificaram dez categorias de boas práticas tecnológicas para PCS.As mais citadas são: adoção de tecnologias emergentes, interoperabilidade,governança, infraestrutura de TI e análise de dados. O estudo também revelou oitotecnologias emergentes cuja adoção constitui boas práticas de PCS, como Internetdas Coisas, inteligência artificial e blockchain, o que demonstra o foco da pesquisarecente em tais ferramentas. A categorização das boas práticas e a identificação dastecnologias relevantes fornecem uma visão abrangente que pode auxiliar gestoresportuários, desenvolvedores e pesquisadores a entenderem as tendências essenciaise a aprimorar a eficiência, transparência e competitividade nos portos.
Maritime shipping carries over 80% of global trade by volume, yet the information systems underpinning this vast network remain fragmented, proprietary, and mutually distrustful. This paper presents the Cascading Visibility Model (CVM), a theoretical framework formalizing how a single upstream data failure propagates non-linearly through carrier, port, customs, warehouse, and trucking handoffs. We introduce the Entropy Amplification Index (EAI) as a normalized measure of information loss per handoff layer, with estimated values exceeding 0.6 at the carrier-to-port boundary and approaching 0.8 at port-to-customs. We further characterize the Multi-Layer Trust Deficit as a maritime-specific prisoner's dilemma in which rational data hoarding by individual actors produces collectively catastrophic coordination failures. To address these failures, we propose the Distributed Vessel Trust Pool (DVTP), a protocol-layer architecture enabling multi-party vessel verification without requiring raw data disclosure. The DVTP uses physical impossibility detection anchored to third-party-generated port event timestamps that vessels cannot falsify, combined with zero-knowledge proof logic to trigger automatic cascade holds across interconnected ports. Three adversarial scenarios are analyzed theoretically. We compare the DVTP with the Portbase model and TradeLens failure to derive governance lessons. We also present a formal research agenda of eight hypotheses for empirical validation through discrete-event simulation. This paper is a theoretical framework and research agenda contribution. The EAI estimates presented are model-derived under stated assumptions; the DVTP architecture and its adversarial analysis are theoretical proposals; and the simulation design is specified for future execution.
Ports are facing growing demands to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, which brings forward considerable difficulties in managing data transparently and reliably. This paper investigates the potential of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) to strengthen ESG practices within port operations by improving the clarity, traceability, and automation of emissions data. Through qualitative analysis of key case studies and a review of existing literature on DLT in maritime logistics, the research highlights how DLT offers a decentralized and tamper-resistant way to handle ESG data. At the same time, it addresses challenges related to technology scalability, integration with current systems, and gaining stakeholder support. The results offer important perspectives for ports and policymakers as they address these challenges, helping to promote sustainability and improve adherence to regulations in the global maritime industry.
The smart shipping and maritime technology encompass blockchain and smart contracts technology, information perception technology, intelligent decision-making technology, intelligent routing technology, marine communication network security technology, route planning technology, autonomous navigation technology, state monitoring and fault diagnosis technology and so on. Nevertheless, these advancements bring practical and legal challenges, as well as a new threat in the digital age: cybercrime. This paper deals with the key challenges and opportunities associated with the integration of digital technologies in shipping and transport such as smart contracts and unmanned ships, and how do cyber issues impact the safety, security, and efficiency of maritime operations. The first part examines the technological background into which smart contracts are integrated and operate, i.e. the terms blockchain and technology distributed ledger technology. The concept, the mechanism and the types of smart contracts in the maritime industry are further analysed. Also, the aspects of new technologies such as Autonomous Vessels and the challenges they raise are examined. The second part focuses on the legal potential of smart contracts examining their issues and the cyber challenges in the maritime industry. The critical remarks and conclusions drawn are listed at the end of the paper.
Abstract We address two interrelated issues affecting the hinterland portion of the maritime container supply chain: reducing the movement of empty containers and reducing empty trips by trucks carrying these containers. In this paper, we show that empty container flow optimization can be implemented via a blockchain based on the proof‐of‐useful‐work concept where the proof of work requires the solution of an ‐hard optimization problem whose solution benefits the blockchain participants. Accordingly, we propose that anonymous miners compete to solve the container truck routing problem, which seeks to find the most efficient routes for trucks. We show that this problem is ‐hard. Miners must also solve the problem of optimally matching consignees and shippers, which will reduce transportation and storage costs for empty containers. In essence, the proposed framework turns blockchain into a massive optimization engine that directly benefits the hinterland container supply chain ecosystem.
Innovations can help ports become smarter and more effective and differentiate themselves from competitors. This study aims to explore the current state of innovations and smart technologies at Brazilian ports. The study sampled sixteen ports, representing 70% of port movements in Brazilian public ports in 2021. This is an exploratory and descriptive field study involving qualitative analysis. The results show that the surveyed ports are seeking strategies to innovate. Only one of the surveyed ports had a registered patent. Half of all ports had agreements with educational/research institutions, companies, or other ports for developing innovations. By contrast, no port engaged in technology transfer contracts with educational/research institutions, companies, or other ports. Few surveyed ports collaborated with HUBs, laboratories, or innovation centres. The three most widely used smart technologies at the surveyed ports were cloud computing, automated systems, and drone technologies. This study shows that Brazilian ports are undergoing a transformation process, but they find themselves in different stages of maturity regarding the appropriation and development of new technologies. New technologies are still incipient for some ports, while others have yet to adopt them. For example, only a few surveyed ports used smart technologies such as the Internet of Things, blockchain technology, or automated systems. Innovations and the inclusion of new technologies can generate benefits, but they require time and financial resources.
Khiem Huynh Gia, Huong Hoang Luong, Hong Khanh Vo, Phuc Nguyen Trong · 14 authors
Current traditional shipping models are increas-ingly revealing many shortcomings and affecting the interests of sellers and buyers due to having to depend on trusted third parties. For example, the Cash-on-Delivery (CoD) model must depend on the carrier/shipper, or the Letter-of-Credit (LoC) model depends on the place of the Letter certification (i.e., bank). There have been many examples demonstrating the riskiness of the two models above. Specifically, in developing countries (e.g., Vietnam), the demand for exporting goods and trading between sellers and buyers have not yet applied the benefits of current technology to improve traditional shipping models. Two typical examples in the last five years that have demonstrated the risks of both sellers and buyers when applying CoD and LoC models are the problem of keeping the money of the seller of GNN Expresses (2017) as well as risks in losing control of 4 containers of cashew nuts when exporting from Vietnam to Italy (2021). A series of studies have proposed solutions based on distributed storage, blockchain, and smart contracts to solve the above problems. However, the role of the shipper has not been considered in some approaches or is not suitable for deployment in a developed country (i.e., Vietnam). In this paper, we propose a combination model between the traditional CoD model and blockchain technology, smart contracts, and NFT to solve the above problems. Specifically, our contribution includes four aspects: a) proposing a shipping model based on blockchain technology and smart contracts; b) proposing a model for storing package information based on Ethereum’s NFT technology (i.e. ERC721); c) implementing the proposed model by designing smart contracts that support the creation and transfer of NFTs between sellers and buyers; d) deploy smart contracts on four EVM-enabled platforms including BNB Smart chain, Fantom, Celo, and Polygon to find a suitable platform for the proposed model.
Modern economy faces one of its’ greatest challenges of all times and disruptive innovations are available to corporations as solutions to major business drawbacks (e.g., traceability, communication, data exchange, information modelling etc.). The Maritime Industry combines multiple supply chain stakeholders and operations, globally, generating critical data and exchanging important documents. Mostly, these are paper-based and proprietary. For this industry, digitally exchanged data, must be unambiguous, semantically aligned between trading partners and shared with resilience in real-time using a common operational language. This could be achieved through the prominent from Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Blockchain Technology as a digital verification mechanism complying with global identification, technical and data exchange standards. Acknowledging the difficulties faced in the Maritime Business Operations’ Management, this paper examines the strategic impact of Standards and Blockchain Technology in the industry’s processes.
rmation, and the adoption of certain business models in the context of the maritime trade supply chain industry. Most specifically, it enquires the impact that the former might have on the latter. The question’s relevance is twofold. On the one hand, the pace of both technological and business innovation has accelerated during the last 15 years, especially for certain industries. On the other hand, while there has been some degree of innovation in maritime trade supply chains, the industry lags behind other economic sectors; still working with technologies, business models and processes that predate the contemporary globalization era. Thus, understanding how and why the adoption of certain technologies might generate new ways of creating, delivering and capturing value in maritime trade supply chains, becomes a significant undertaking from both a theoretical and practical perspective. To address this enquiry, we have conducted four separate studies in this dissertation. In Chapter 2, we conduct a theoretical synthesis in order to provide a general theoretical background for the research conducted in the subsequent chapters. Chapter 3 is mainly concerned with physical flows. We investigate what impact does the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies by seaports might have on their business models. To define these, we refer to the classification of seaports across a generational ladder: from 1st generation to 5th generation ports; referring as well to the novel construct of Port 4.0, and the commonly used “smart port” term. In Chapter 4 we turn to information flows. Most specifically, we explore the influence that distributed ledger technology (DLT) —most commonly known as blockchain— might have on the adoption of sustainable business models in the shipping industry. Chapter 5 focus on financial flows. It presents a design science study on a problem known as the trade finance gap; understood as the difference between the total supply of and demand for trade finance in international trade on a global level. The main question addressed is how to design a new business model that would address the causes behind the said trade finance gap. To conclude, this dissertation explores how digital transformation affects or impacts business models in maritime trade supply chains. It does so, by conducting studies on different contexts, each of them primarily focused on either physical, information or financial flows. From a theoretical perspective, the dissertation provides insights on the interplay between the three flows in maritime trade; with a special focus on how digital transformation, by affecting this interplay, drives or contributes to the adoption of new business models. Most specifically, Industry 4.0 technologies like IoT or DLT improve the way information flows interact with physical and financial flows. From a practical/managerial perspective, the research provides useful insights for business executives and policy makers, on how digital transformation should be faced at the strategic, tactical and operational level. By understanding how new technologies affect the ways in which value is created, delivered and captured, decision makers can design better business models, increasing competitiveness; or implement more adequate policies and strategies. Most importantly, the dissertation aims to serve as a source of ideas for those entrepreneurs who, through their startups, will design and develop innovative use cases and business models for the maritime industry. Aquesta investigació doctoral explora la interrelació entre els fenòmens contemporanis coneguts com a transformació digital i l’adopció de certs models de negoci en el context de la indústria de la cadena de subministrament del comerç marítim. Més concretament, indaga sobre l’impacte que els primers poguessin tenir sobre la segona. La rellevància de la pregunta és doble. D’una banda, el ritme de la innovació tant tecnològica com empresarial s’ha accelerat durant els darrers 15 anys, especialment per a determinades indústries. D’altra banda, si bé hi ha hagut cert grau d’innovació a les cadenes de subministrament del comerç marítim, la indústria va darrera d’altres sectors econòmics; segueix treballant amb tecnologies, models de negocis i processos anteriors a l’era de la globalització contemporània. Per tant, comprendre com i per què l’adopció de certes tecnologies pot generar noves maneres de crear, distribuir i capturar valor a les cadenes de subministrament del comerç marítim es converteix en una tasca important tant des d’una perspectiva teòrica com pràctica. Per indagar-hi, hem realitzat quatre estudis en aquesta dissertació. Al Capítol 2, duem a terme una síntesi teòrica per tal de proporcionar un marc teòric general per a la recerca realitzada en els capítols següents. El capítol 3 s’ocupa principalment dels fluxos físics. Investiguem quin impacte podria tenir l’adopció de tecnologies Indústria 4.0 per part dels ports marítims als seus models de negoci. Al Capítol 4 passem als fluxos d’informació. Més específicament, explorem la influència que la tecnologia de distributed ledger (DLT), més comunament coneguda com a blockchain, podria tenir en l’adopció de models de negoci sostenibles a la indústria del transport marítim. El capítol 5 se centra en els fluxos financers. Presenta un estudi de disseny sobre un problema conegut com la bretxa de finançament del comerç (trade finance gap); entès com la diferència entre l’oferta i la demanda total de finançament al comerç internacional a nivell global. Per concloure, aquesta dissertació explora com la transformació digital afecta o impacta els models de negoci a les cadenes de subministrament del comerç marítim. Ho fa mitjançant la realització d’estudis sobre diferents contextos, cadascun centrat principalment en els fluxos físics, d’informació o financers. Des d’una perspectiva teòrica, la dissertació proporciona informació sobre la interacció entre els tres fluxos al comerç marítim; amb un enfocament especial com la transformació digital, en afectar aquesta interacció, impulsa o contribueix a l’adopció de nous models de negoci. Més específicament, les tecnologies d'industria 4.0 com IoT o DLT milloren la manera com els fluxos d’informació interactuen amb els fluxos físics i financers. Des d’una perspectiva pràctica/gerencial, la recerca proporciona informació útil per als executius de negocis i els dissenyadors de polítiques sobre com cal enfrontar la transformació digital a nivell estratègic, tàctic i operatiu. En comprendre com les noves tecnologies afecten les formes en què es crea, distribueix i captura el valor, els prenedors de decisions poden dissenyar millors models de negoci, augmentant la competitivitat; o implementar polítiques i estratègies més adequades. El que és més important, la dissertació té com a objectiu servir com a font d’idees per als emprenedors que, a través de les startups, dissenyaran i desenvoluparan casos d’ús innovadors i models de negoci per a la indústria marítima. Esta investigación doctoral explora la interrelación entre los fenómenos contemporáneos conocidos como transformación digital y la adopción de ciertos modelos de negocio en el contexto de la industria de la cadena de suministro del comercio marítimo. Más concretamente, indaga sobre el impacto que los primeros pudieran tener sobre la segunda. La relevancia de la pregunta es doble. Por un lado, el ritmo de la innovación tanto tecnológica como empresarial se ha acelerado durante los últimos 15 años, especialmente para determinadas industrias. Por otro lado, si bien ha habido cierto grado de innovación en las cadenas de suministro del comercio marítimo, la industria va a la zaga de otros sectores económicos; sigue trabajando con tecnologías, modelos de negocios y procesos que son anteriores a la era de la globalización contemporánea. Por lo tanto, comprender cómo y por qué la adopción de ciertas tecnologías puede generar nuevas formas de crear, distribuir y capturar valor en las cadenas de suministro del comercio marítimo se convierte en una tarea importante tanto desde una perspectiva teórica como práctica. Para indagar sobre ello, hemos realizado cuatro estudios en esta disertación. En el Capítulo 2, llevamos a cabo una síntesis teórica con el fin de proporcionar un marco teórico general para la investigación realizada en los capítulos siguientes. Para ello, comenzamos desarrollando una base bibliográfica, fundamentada en 3 disciplinas: Estudios Marítimos, Ciencias de la Gestión e Investigación de Sistemas de Información. El enfoque central se basa entonces en la construcción de los tres flujos presentes en las cadenas de suministro del comercio marítimo: flujos físicos, de información y financieros. Para cada uno de los flujos nos hacemos tres preguntas básicas: ¿qué? (describiendo el contenido del flujo), ¿cómo? (describiendo los mecanismos), y ¿por qué? (comprender qué impulsa el flujo en cuestión). Para los flujos físicos, nos referimos a su contenido con el término global de “carga”, el mecanismo como multimodalidad y la causa impulsora como producción o consumo. Para los flujos de información, el contenido son datos o información (en sentido estricto), el mecanismo es en papel o electrónico, y la causa impulsora es su rol como recurso para la toma de decisiones. Los flujos financieros se refieren al dinero, que fluye ya sea por medio de pagos o créditos, bajo un modelo de flujo circular como lógica impulsora. Luego, el capítulo ofrece una explicación básica de cómo se integran los tres flujos: los flujos físicos y financieros se basan en intercambios mutuos entre actores a lo largo de la cadena de suministro (que se mueven en direcciones opuestas), mientras que los flujos de información se mueven en ambas direcciones, apoyando a los dos primeros. Finalmente, el capítulo tiene como objetivo contribuir a la comprensión del concepto de
The purpose of the paper is to present a conceptual framework of blockchain (BC) deployment in shipping and port management, which encompasses distributed relational database (DB) and crypto-currency payment mechanism as main constructs. The core of the model is TradeLens platform. The document workflow management, financial processes and device connectivity are key scenarios in the proposed framework. The stakeholders play the role of traditional intermediaries in goods, accompanied data, and documents flows, including overall supervision of the processes between end-nodes, that is shippers (consignees) and customers (consumers). The paper identifies some strengthens and frailty of blockchain-based maritime supply chain system and proposes further investigation in this domain, towards better understanding prospective development of blockchain across maritime cluster.
Abstract Decision-making is a prolific research area in the internet era, which has propelled globalization and the virtual elimination of many country border barriers. However, effective decision-making in the shipping industry is a time consuming and often complicated process. Digital evolution has provided new innovative organizational operation methods. Blockchain technology—a basic component of the Fourth Industrial Revolution—is one such innovation that promises to alter the process of decision-making. However, only a few academic studies have explored the decision-making aspect of blockchain technology. Moreover, there is a dearth of comprehensive research on how blockchain affects decisions in the shipping industry. This study explored how this novice technology can address issues, such as vast documentation and information asymmetry in the shipping industry. Specifically, grounded theory was used to qualitatively investigate extant practices and examine the potential impact of blockchain technology on decision-making in the shipping industry and the potential of using blockchain technology to emancipate decision-making. The study results indicate that the instant and reliable data-sharing capability of blockchain can significantly impact the shipping industry, while transforming its decision-making processes.
The purpose of the paper is to determine and examine, to what extent blockchain scenarios for the shipping industry have practical explication from maritime ports’ perspective and how these are sync with ports’ long-term development strategies, particularly in Denmark. The present study involved qualitative interviews with representatives of the biggest maritime ports of Denmark, varied by location, volumes, operations and cargo type. Data saturation is achieved through several rounds of in-depth semi-structured interviews. Results showed uncertainties in the long-term investment strategy of the considered ports. While focused on land expansion and operation development, the port authorities lack inner-port coordination with related enterprises, which consequently affects overall efficiency. While the development strategy appears to be identical among the port authorities, it varies significantly within specific blockchain scenarios and port’s strategy regarding short-term port optimization. Besides, the role of port authority was debated. Authorities are willing to be more involved in supply chain operations as a consultancy rather than just a controlling party, yet are burden by the state restrictions. Unlike generally-discussed blockchain compatibility studies, the current research contributes by revealing core business uncertainties within port area development and communication. Moreover, the case could serve as a representation of small- to middle-size ports in the EU.
Claudia Durán, Christian Fernández‐Campusano, Raúl Carrasco, Manuel Vargas · 5 authors
Blockchain technology (BC) offers an innovation platform for decentralized and transparent transactions in the maritime port industry. This technology allows guaranteeing trust, transparency and traceability of cargo and data to be tracked. Today, in the port systems of emerging market countries, BC technology is increasingly being incorporated into information and communication processes. In parallel, the social domain has begun to be explored due to the lack of link between the port and the city it occupies, and the need to incorporate public actors in decision-making at the governance level. In this sense, the present work aims to promote BC technology in order to transform data and information into useful knowledge for effective decision making, through the use of Crowdsourcing. A Crowdsourcing Blockchain (CrowdBC) conceptual framework and its architecture are generated for a port system in which the cyber-technological, social and cognitive domains (CSTC) of smart ports, the knowledge generation process and Crowdsourcing technology are interrelated. Finally, opportunities are discussed for ports that are in permanent development to reduce the gaps with the smart industry. As a discussion, two possible scenarios and recommendations for future implementations that consider the social and cognitive aspects of Industry 4.0 are presented.
This paper proposes a blockchain-based framework to improve the efficiency of ship traffic in port. In the framework, ship agents, terminals, tug company, pilot station, and government share information and the information is stored in a blockchain. Based on the shared information, we discuss three categories of data-driven models that can improve the operations management of the above five parties. The first category is decisions made by a single party. The second category involves decisions of at least two ship agents. The third category relates to multi-party decision-making under uncertainty. This study hopes to stimulate maritime practitioners to embrace blockchain technology and data-driven approaches to enhance the competitiveness of the industry.
The purpose of this exploratory research is to investigate the adoption tendencies of the Internet of Things, Big Data, Augmented Reality and Distributed Ledger technologies applied for Bills of Lading, along with the tendencies to adopt Cyber Safe environments for fleets, governing the future of onboard technology adoption in the Greek maritime shipping industry. The final goal is to determine the overall attitude regarding technology adoption of the Greek maritime industry, and henceforward, create an initial framework for further research for those who wish to examine future information technology adoptions within the Greek maritime shipping industry, or any other industry of traditional nature.
While trade finance has been recognized as a key element in international trade, there is a persistent gap between supply and demand. On the other hand, distributed ledger technology (DLT) has given birth to the decentralised finance (DeFi) phenomenon, promising to revolutionize banking and the whole financial sector. This paper enquires whether a DeFi-based business model could address the trade finance gap problematic. To this end, it presents a sketch of a DeFi trade finance business model, showing how it could address the reasons behind the trade finance gap, while at the same time developing a broader meaning of the DeFi concept itself
Lawrence Henesey, Y. Lizneva, Robert Philipp, Christopher Meyer · 5 authors
Ports are vital to the global economy, as up to 90% of goods are transferred through seaports. With increasing vessel sizes, cargo volumes and higher demand for supply-chain optimization, seaports are required to be more efficient and competitive. In the present study, a proposed solution incorporating IoT and Blockchain is considered into automating many of the activities in the load planning process, which is then evaluated via simulation. Real data is collected concerning different types of cargo for RoPax vessels with the intended goal of reducing planning time in a seaport. The results contribute as one piece of the mosaic on the avenue towards becoming a “Smart Port”, which deploys various digitalization technologies in order to become a fully automated port. The suggested approach to be integrated, builds upon IoT sensors in combination with the lightweight version of a Blockchain to improve balance indicators on a trim of a vessel. A developed simulation tool was used for evaluating a number of scenarios, with each scenario run set to 2500 times. The simulation results indicate an improvement of 50-160% from the current load planning operations for RoPax vessels.
Abstract Smart contracts are scripts on the top of the blockchain technology. They represent a form of automation by what the layers of intermediaries can be reduced or even completely replaced. Accordingly, blockchain smart contracting systems decrease transaction and enforcement costs as well as process time. Moreover, we argue, blockchain and smart contracts can facilitate cross-organisational collaboration and their underlying business processes. Hence, they are able to support the integration of entrepreneurs and SMEs into trans-national supply chains by reducing high entry barriers and weakening the dominating position of big players. This paper discusses the research questions how blockchain smart contracting can facilitate the implementation of collaborative logistics structures and how the integration of SMEs into sustainable maritime supply chains can be safeguarded. The research bases on expert interviews and case studies. The results showcase the potentials of using blockchain smart contracting in the environment of trans-national and multimodal supply chains.
Over eight years from its conception, Blockchain is considered as a ground-breaking innovation in information technology. The technology’s promises of complete disintermediation and enhanced process visibility turned supply chain and logistics into a fertile ground for a blockchain potential implementation. Despite these high expectations, both practitioners and researchers still struggle in identifying the blockchain real benefits to the industry. Moreover, the several private projects and start-ups offering blockchain solutions, which are blossoming in the logistics environment, are threatening the role of the Port of Rotterdam and Portbase as the port inter-organizational information system. Commissioned by Smartport, this research aims to identify the potential blockchain uses on port logistics as well as their relative impact. Therefore, the functionality offered by the current market applications are categorized into four business cases, which identify different uses of the blockchain. These blockchain business cases are subsequently analyzed under six different points of view in order to evaluate the expected benefit that the major stakeholder expect to gain from the technology implementation. Finally, the impact of these business cases is tested on the business model components of the current port information system, Portbase, to identify the disruptive power of the technology. To face the potential issue of disintermediation; a set of solutions have been developed for Portbase on how to adapt its business model in case of a blockchain implementation. This strong conceptualization of the blockchain technology helps the main logistic stakeholders to understand and discuss the potential application of blockchain technology on port logistics, and it provides a much-needed basis for further scientific research. Further development of this conceptualization is needed to structure the ongoing blockchain discussions in both scientific literature and practice.