In the traditional fresh supply chain, farmers commonly conceal the true quality information of their products in order to achieve better sales. This article focuses on the use of blockchain technology to address the issue of false freshness reporting in a two-level fresh supply chain consisting of a rural cooperative and a supermarket. Taking into account the dual losses of quality and quantity in the process of agricultural products transportation, the impacts of the product freshness and the blockchain investment level on random market demand are quantified in this paper. And game models for centralized and decentralized decision-making before and after investing in blockchain technology are proposed. By comparing the supply chain optimal decisions and performances under different scenarios, a revenue-cost sharing contract is designed to coordinate the decentralized decision-making. Simulation results show that the application of the blockchain technology can further consolidate the superiority of the centralized decision-making. However, there is a certain threshold for the application of the blockchain technology in decentralized decision-making. When the unit cost of blockchain exceeds the threshold, the rural cooperative will abandon its cooperation with the supermarket due to reduced profits. And the combined contract also has a threshold boundary for its coordinating effect on decentralized decision-making.
In the current global context of environmental degradation and resource constraints, the pursuit of sustainable development has become an imperative. One avenue that holds promise for achieving this objective is the application of digital technologies, which have the potential to decouple economic growth from its carbon footprint. However, it is crucial to ensure that these technologies are designed and governed in a prudent manner, with a strong alignment to environmental priorities. This study focuses on exploring the potential roles of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain coordination and impact mitigation. Furthermore, they have the capacity to incentivize recycling and circular business models, as well as facilitate carbon accounting and offsetting. To fully realize these benefits, it is essential to deploy these technologies within inclusive collaborative frameworks that take into consideration social and ecological considerations. The study also offers policy recommendations that highlight key leverage points for digital innovation, enabling countries to embark on smart and green industrial transformation pathways. By harnessing the potential of blockchain and AI in supply chains, governments can promote transparency, traceability, and accountability, thereby fostering sustainable practices and reducing environmental impacts. Incorporating blockchain and AI technologies into supply chain approaches leads to a substantial improvement in efficiency, as demonstrated by a numerical analysis. In conclusion, the integration of innovative digital technologies offers significant opportunities to optimize production systems and economic activity while prioritizing sustainability objectives for the betterment of society and the environment. These technologies have the potential to mitigate environmental externalities by addressing information imbalances within global supply chains. However, it is essential to prioritize inclusive governance that emphasizes democratic participation to mitigate any unintended negative consequences, especially for vulnerable communities. By ensuring inclusive decision-making processes, we can maximize the positive impact of these technologies while minimizing potential harm.
Abstract The business potential of blockchain technology in global value chains (GVCs) includes the creation of permanent records of information, to facilitate specifications regulation, to mitigate risk using smart contracts and through full, transparent transaction traceability at reduced costs. Blockchain as a general-purpose technology (GPT) thus has the potential to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of value creation for firm specific advantages owned and/or controlled by multinational enterprises (MNE), yet adoption of blockchain is uneven. This study adopts a micro-foundational lens to explain the non-adoption of blockchain technology in multinational enterprisesâ (MNE) global value chains (GVC), emphasizing the influence of the technology, organization and environment (TOE) influences on the technology acceptance (TAM) for blockchain, due to the impact on managersâ perception of blockchain's usefulness and ease of use. The empirical results are based on a multiple-case study research design, that collected interview data from supply chain managers in small, medium, and large-sized manufacturing MNEs that participate in global value chains that differ in their governance patterns. The results identified fifteen different drivers of the non-adoption of blockchain technology across the technological, organizational and external environments of the MNE. The results of the study allow a parsimonious model of blockchain technology non-adoption that is aligned with the digital technology adoption literature using a TOEâTAM approach.
This paper analytically explores the value of blockchain technology in building consumer trust in recyclers. We focus on an e-commerce closed-loop supply chain composed of an online platform and a manufacturer. In the forward chain, the platform selects a reselling or marketplace model to sell products. In the reverse chain, the platform collects used products, and the unknown whereabouts of the used products will cause consumer mistrust and be detrimental to the corporate image. Blockchain technology can address these challenges by improving the visibility of the recycling chain. By constructing differential game models, we specify the conditions for blockchain implementation and explore its impact on the online sales model choice and the E-CLSC performance. The findings show that the manufacturer consistently benefits from blockchain technology, while the platform decides to adopt it when the long-term profits outweigh the initial investment costs. Interestingly, the sales model selection will not change with the advent of blockchain technology. We further show the benefits of blockchain-enabled recycling and provide tangible insights for related practitioners.
Leonardo Marques, Dafne Oliveira Carlos de Morais, Ana Terra
The fashion industry has consistently ranked high in terms of its association with modern slavery. While scandals like the Rana Plaza incident have focused the world's attention on Asia, in Brazil, over 35,000 people have been rescued from conditions analogous to slavery in the past 15 years. Outsourcing and the underlying social structures that blur the implementation of outsourcing are central to this problem. Fashion supply chains are highly fragmented and labour intensive, exhibiting power asymmetry and informality. Although supply chain research has focused on how focal firms can control or improve supplier practices, this study examines focal firm misconduct and decoupling. Our research presents an intervention aimed at developing a blockchain solution to create a census of fashion working conditions in Brazil. The project included two non-governmental organisations, two fashion brands and their suppliers, the fashion retail association, a blockchain start-up and the research team (18 organisations). We contribute to both theory and practice, revealing that the blockchain's potential to ease transaction costs is outweighed by governance costs related to third-party supervision. We show that focal firms justify unfair purchasing practices via victimisation and diverting attention from themselves to consumers (âunwilling to payâ) and suppliers (ânot behaving as expectedâ), unveiling how these drivers of organisational misconduct lead to supplier decoupling (meansâend) and focal firm decoupling (policyâpractice). Such underlying social structures sustain inaction or, at best, advance focal firmsâ visibility of their supply chains while offering no true transparency to the broader society.
Matthew Quayson, Eric Kofi Avornu, Albert Kweku Bediako
Purpose Blockchain technology enhances information management in healthcare supply chains by securing healthcare information and providing medical resource traceability. However, there is no decision framework to support blockchain implementation for managing information, especially in emerging economiesâ healthcare supply chains. This paper develops a hierarchical decision model for implementing blockchain technology for information management in emerging economiesâ healthcare supply chains. Design/methodology/approach This study uses 20 health supply chain experts in Ghana to rank 17 decision criteria for implementing blockchain for healthcare information management using the best-worst method (BWM) multi-criteria decision technique. Findings The results show that âsecurityâ and âprivacy,â âinfrastructural facilityâ and âpresence of training facilitiesâ are the top three critical factors impacting blockchain adoption in the health supply chain for healthcare information management. Other sub-factors are prioritized. Practical implications To implement blockchain effectively to enhance information management in the healthcare supply chain, health institutions, blockchain technology providers and state authorities should concentrate on the highly critical factors extracted from the study. Originality/value This is the first study that develops a hierarchical decision model for implementing blockchain technology in emerging economies' health supply chains.
This paper investigates how buyers assess the importance of various attributes of supply chain sustainability disclosed by suppliers. These include different types of disclosure (i.e., product, process, and sourcing network), self- and third-party verified disclosure, partial and full disclosure, as well as the attributes associated with information disclosure using blockchain technology: immutability and update frequency. Building on concepts in signalling theory and inter-organisational trust, our research uses a choice-based conjoint experimental design to elicit responses from 234 managers with decision-making roles in procurement. Using this design, we calculate the relative importance of attributes, part-worth utility, and marginal willingness to pay, and test hypotheses about buyer preferences and willingness to pay. Our research reveals that buyers prefer suppliers with sustainability signals that span across different types of disclosure and methods of disclosure. It emphasises the importance of how sustainability information is disclosed, highlighting buyer trust in self-disclosure and a preference for comprehensive, regularly updated information. However, we find mixed results for buyers' willingness to pay. For instance, buyers prefer third-party verified supply chain transparency, but we do not find a significantly higher willingness to pay for such information compared to self-disclosure. The implications suggest a competitive advantage for suppliers adopting voluntary disclosure, prioritising disclosure based on buyer preferences, and recognising the limited direct impact of blockchain technology. Our research contributes to advancing our understanding of information disclosure in supply chain transparency and presents new avenues of inquiry into the value of blockchain-enabled platforms in supply chain sustainability reporting.
Abstract A sustainable future entails addressing netâzero emissions, which balances greenhouse gas emissions, thereby mitigating climate change. This study explores the relationship between the information quality, system quality, and service quality of blockchainâenabled smart contracts (BSCs) with collaboration quality to achieve netâzero emissions. The study further explores the role of collaboration quality in influencing the intentionâtoâuse BSC and organizational satisfaction. The study employed the revised DeLone and McLean model and validated it with data from 434 respondents using structural equation modeling. The results validate all the hypotheses derived from the updated DeLone and McLean information system (IS) success model. There exist significant relationships between information quality, system quality, and service quality in the BSCs leading to collaboration quality to achieve netâzero emissions. The study establishes the significant role of collaboration quality which positively impacts usage behavior and organizational satisfaction, mediated by the intention to use. The findings of this study offer insights for organizations and policymakers seeking to harness blockchain for environmental sustainability.
Construction waste management (CWM) and blockchain technology (BT) are two crucial topics for sustainable production and development. As a fundamental infrastructure for artificial intelligence, BT enables real-time, reciprocal, and immutable information provision in tracing construction waste and holds a significant potential to advance CWM. However, the barriers to adopting BT in CWM and their impact on CWM practices remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to identify BT adoption barriers in CWM, assess their criticality, and clarify their correlations through a fuzzy empirical analysis. Results show that, due to interdependence, actions on one or some of the barriers can have a closed-loop impact. The findings suggest that the government and the stakeholders have a critical influence on the further adoption of BT in CWM. This exploratory study advances sustainable construction by clarifying those BT adoption barriers and providing implications to integrate BT into CWM practices.
Mohd. Nishat Faisal, Lamay Bin Sabir, Maryam Saad Al-Naimi, Khurrum J. Sharif ¡ 5 authors
Abstract The major purpose of this study is to investigate the role of coopetition among supply chains in blockchain adoption leading to sustainability in supply chains. This research uses a three-step process. First, a review of reviews is conducted to search the variables that would positively influence adoption of blockchain in supply chain. In the second step, total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) was utilized to understand the relationships among the enablers. Following the qualitative phase, an empirical study was conducted to test the hypotheses related to the mediating role of coopetition. Review of reviews identified 17 variables that can positively influence blockchain adoption in supply chain. The findings of TISM model revealed the hierarchical relationship among the enablers of blockchain adoption for supply chain management based on their relative importance. The results of the SEM-based study indicated that âcoopetitionâ plays a mediating role between the driver and dependent variables leading to sustainable supply chain. The research offers practical insights to integrate blockchain application in the supply chains leading to better supply chain transparency and ultimately sustainability. The research would support managers to develop suitable strategies to strengthen mechanism to enhance coopetition among competing supply chain to realize the benefits of emerging technologies. The originality of the study lies in the study of variables that influence blockchain adoption in supply chain using a mixed-method approach. Further, the research establishes the critical role of coopetition in achieving the benefits of blockchain adoption.
Nabeel Mehboob, Mirza A. Haq, Muhammad Awais Bhatti
The wide array of functions performed by a state referred to as public sector is increasingly applying the practices of supply chain management. The public sector has special emphasis on the aspects of transparency, efficiency, and resilience as increased awareness among the citizens is forcing the states to provide better value to the taxpayer money. Use of information and communication technologies has been attributed to improve the visibility and efficiency in public sector. Blockchain technology, being an emerging disruptive technology providing immutable distributed ledgers, has strong theoretical application in public sector. Following a systematic literature review the research establishes that Blockchain technology enables transparency, efficiency, and resilience in the supply chain. As these enablers are key determinant of success in public sector supply chain, therefore existing research on application of blockchain technology in the sector are explored to identify the current standing of the research on the subject and propose future course.
Purpose Although blockchain technology holds significant promise in influencing supply chain resilience (SCR), its effectiveness depends on a variety of factors. However, given that blockchain adoption in SCR is still in its infancy, there is a lack of empirical research to reveal the critical success factors maximizing its efficacy. This study aims to apply an organizational information processing theory (OIPT) perspective to explore how transformational supply chain leadership (TSCL) can facilitate the deployment and connection of blockchain technology to meet the imperatives of enhancing SCR. Design/methodology/approach This study used a two-wave survey method to gather data from 317 Chinese manufacturers to empirically examine the hypothesized relationships. Findings The findings suggest that the adoption of blockchain technology enhances both the proactive and reactive dimensions of SCR, and these effects can be realized through the mediating role of TSCL. Furthermore, the positive effect of blockchain technology on TSCL is strengthened in the context of dysfunctional competition. Practical implications These findings suggest that companies can only enhance the benefits of disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, by fully integrating them into the operational and supply chain processes. Originality/value This research offers novel insights into the specific processes of how blockchain technology can be used to enhance SCR. It also deepens our comprehension of how digital technology can be optimally harnessed within the framework of OIPT, thus providing a contribution to the literature on emerging technologies and SCR.
Jennifer Davies, Hossein Sharifi, Andrew C. Lyons, Rick Forster ¡ 5 authors
Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), unique digital assets on a blockchain that can represent ownership of digital or physical items, are potentially ground-breaking in their capacity for transforming the sustainability of supply chains. This paper explores and discusses how NFTs, analysed through the lens of the Technology Organisation Environment (TOE) framework, can drive supply chain sustainability and overcome the barriers to Blockchain Technology (BCT) adoption. We elucidate the unique value proposition of NFTs and explore the potential of âphygital productsâ for linking digital NFTs to physical goods. Based on the existing literature and a review of real-world case studies, we propose that NFTs can (1) incentivise supply chain stakeholders to engage in more sustainable practices; (2) enhance customer willingness to pay for sustainable products; (3) provide anti-counterfeit measures; (4) support circular business model growth. A sustainable 'Mint-to-Order' production strategy starting with the creation (minting) of an NFT is proposed based on a synthesis of the findings. The use of NFTs has significant implications for both digital and physical product offerings and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practice making a compelling case for adoption. This paper is one of the first to explore the potential of using NFTs to drive sustainability in supply chains forming an essential component of a metaverse nexus and delineating a future research agenda.
The construction industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, primarily due to the generation of substantial construction and demolition waste. However, the current practices in construction and demolition waste management (CDWM) face various information management challenges that undermine their overall effectiveness. Correspondingly, this research proposes the integration of blockchain technology as a strategic solution to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of CDWM. Despite the potential of blockchain in revolutionizing CDWM, research in this area remains limited. To address such a gap, this study adopts a design science action research methodology to integrate the use of blockchain technology into CDWM. Specifically, this study has creatively introduced the blockchain-based data supply chain to address the principalâagent problem in CDWM and develop a novel blockchain-enabled framework for CDWM. Additionally, a six-layer system architecture for the blockchain-based CDWM information system has been developed. This integration holds the promise of streamlining and empowering CDWM processes and thereby improving the administration and regulation of CDWM. Notably, the utilization of blockchain technology also presents an innovative opportunity for carbon reduction and offsetting within the construction industry. This research makes a substantial contribution to the field by introducing a novel approach to address information management challenges in CDWM, thereby promoting sustainable practices in the construction industry.
As global supply chains become increasingly complex, traditional systems face challenges in ensuring efficiency, transparency, and innovation. Block chain technology has emerged as a transformative force in addressing these issues, offering a decentralized and secure framework for supply chain management. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the impact of block chain on supply chains, focusing on its potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and foster innovation. The efficiency gains facilitated by block chain in supply chain management are examined through the elimination of intermediaries, reduction of paperwork, and real-time visibility into the entire process. These improvements result in streamlined operations, reduced costs, and enhanced responsiveness to market dynamics. Moreover, block chainâs decentralized nature ensures data integrity, mitigating the risk of fraud and errors in the supply chain. Transparency is a critical aspect of modern supply chains, and block chain provides an immutable and transparent ledger that enables end-to-end visibility. The technology ensures traceability and accountability, allowing stakeholders to access real-time information about the origin, movement, and status of products. This transparency not only enhances trust among supply chain participants but also facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements. The role of block chain in fostering innovation within supply chains is explored, emphasizing its potential to enable new business models, collaborative ecosystems, and the integration of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The paper highlights case studies and pilot projects where block chain has been successfully applied to drive innovation in supply chain processes. Challenges and considerations related to the implementation of block chain in supply chain management are also discussed, including interoperability, scalability, and regulatory issues. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions and emphasizing the need for industry-wide collaboration to unlock the full potential of block chain in revolutionizing supply chain management. Overall, this review contributes to the understanding of how block chain can serve as a catalyst for efficiency, transparency, and innovation in contemporary supply chains
Abdullah Kaid AlâSwidi, Mohammed A. AlâHakimi, Hussam Al Halbusi, Jaithen Abdullah Al Harbi ¡ 5 authors
This study aims to empirically investigate the effect of blockchain technology (BCT) adoption on supply chain resilience (SCR), with the mediating role of supply chain integration (SCI) and the crucial effect of environmental dynamism (ED) as a moderator. Based on data collected from firms operating in the automotive industry in India, the proposed model was tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equations Modelling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS software. The empirical results showed a positive effect of BCT on SCI, which in turn affects SCR. Importantly, SCI acts as a full mediator in the BCT-SCR relationship, which is moderated by ED, that is, the effect of BCT on SCR via SCI is strong when ED is high. This study offers the groundwork for operationalizing BCT in a supply chain context. It also contributes to SCR research by investigating how SCI mediates the effect of BCT on SCR. In addition, this study found a moderating effect of ED on the relationship between BCT and SCI. These results provide insights to auto manufacturers on ways to enhance SCR and ensure safe supply chain operations.