Mounir El Khatib, Abdulla Alnaqbi, Ahmed Alnaqbi, Hamad Alsuwaidi · 5 authors
This study examines the impact of blockchain technology and IoT on project risk management. Blockchain and the Internet of Things (IoT) provide the platform that project managers use to mitigate risks. The objectives of the study are to explore the impact of blockchain and IoT on managing the risks during project planning, execution, implementation, and closure. Therefore, the study identifies the opportunities that project managers have to optimize their project risk management. The study uses a structured questionnaire and interviews with a sample of 30 respondents to understand the correlations between variables. The findings show that businesses use IoT and blockchain technology platforms to create risk mitigation plans and implement and periodically update the project management tools. The study concludes that blockchain IoT enables stakeholders to meet the changing preferences under risk management.
Matthew Quayson, Chunguang Bai, Lihua Sun, Joseph Sarkis
Abstract Globally, firms face increasing pressure to efficiently utilize resources and minimize costs and may do so through sustainable supply chains and circular economy practices. Emerging technologies, such as blockchain, to enable a circular economy have become a new industrial paradigm. However, firms require building dynamic capabilities through blockchain, which can be key to realizing circular economy model. This study introduces a framework for building blockchain‐driven dynamic capabilities for a circular supply chain. We further use the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to evaluate three major dynamic capabilities and 18 sub‐dynamic capabilities and their interrelationships. The mining industry in Ghana sets the stage for this analysis. The study results show that although blockchain‐driven sensing dynamic capability, seizing dynamic capability, and reconfiguring dynamic capability are crucial for developing a circular supply chain, they do not strictly follow a sequence and overlap. We highlight various cause–effect relationships, providing insights into the role of sensing, seizing, and reconfiguring dynamic capabilities. That information is important to firms, stakeholders, and partners to draft an appropriate strategy to build blockchain‐driven dynamic capabilities for developing a circular supply chain.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate how Blockchain Technology (BCT) can support the implementation of Lean Automation. We conducted a systematic literature review to understand how BCT is being implemented in the supply chain management (SCM) domain and to evaluate how this technology can be used to reduce inefficiencies in supply chains. Firstly, we developed a holistic taxonomy of wastes to identify the most common non-value activities. Then, both inductive and deductive content analyses were performed, the latter being coded using the taxonomy. Our findings identified the most common BCT-based application themes in SCM and ways that this technology can be used to support future implementation of Blockchain-enabled Lean Automation (B-eLA). Additionally, we proposed a future research agenda. The study provides important contributions at the intersection between BCT, lean production, and Industry 4.0 within the context of SCM and seeks to exploit BCT’s potential to improve businesses’ efficiency, effectiveness and productivity.
Mohammod Abul Kashem, Mohammad Shamsuddoha, Tasnuba Nasir, Asma Akter Chowdhury
In response to significant disruption, supply chain optimization became sensitive to increasing consumer expectations, unexpected demand fluctuation, and inventory costs. Proactive movement, understanding, and empowerment have fostered the beneficial results of supply chain optimization, cooperation, and operational resilience. These pioneering activities are critical to achieving a paradigm shift in the supply chain, even agility in response to changing demand. However, sophisticated analytics such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are supposed to overcome these challenges to make smarter decisions on a daily basis. Due to these facts, this study aimed to model AI’s and blockchain’s role in supply chain optimization by conducting a systematic literature review based on the idealized framework of Rejeb et al. (2022) and the SALSA mechanism. In addition, this paradigm-shifting approach will provide fairer views and options for managing forecasting, planning, monitoring, and reporting across the entire supply chain. The emphasis remains on real-time accuracy, easy access, and optimization of operational indicators such as sales, visibility, and end-to-end supply chain operations at all times and from any location. It will be an eye-opening experience to enable stakeholders and partners to communicate information collaboratively, consistently, and efficiently.
Purpose: Rapidly developing information technology increases expectations for obtaining much more efficient structures by providing accurate, sufficient and secure information sharing in supply chains as well as in many other fields. Traceability is a critical element in supply chain management, especially in security-sensitive sectors such as food, medicine, etc. Blockchain is a decentralized record platform that provides traceability, transparency and security, and it shows promise in alleviating traditional supply chain management problems and making a positive contribution. This article aims to improve the relevant literature by revealing the level of impact of blockchain technology on supply chain management.Methodology: First of all, a traditional closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) network was designed and modeled. Then, the main model was developed by creating four more scenarios for different applications of the blockchain technology to the existing model and the application results were analyzed.Findings: This paper demonstrated the implementation of blockchain technology in forward and reverse flows activities coordination for effective and efficient supply chain management, and the resulting gains by developing appropriate models through explanatory scenarios. The implications showed that blockchain technology could significantly reduce supply chain costs.Originality: While blockchain technology is gaining attention, there are very few studies focused on its integration into the supply chain. Apart from the applications in the field of finance, the most important contribution and originality of the study is the application of the blockchain to CLSC from different aspects as partial, full, only forward flow and only reverse flow.
Sunil Tiwari, Pankaj Sharma, Tsan‐Ming Choi, Andrew E. B. Lim
In global supply chains, third-party logistics (3PL) services have proven to be critically important in helping many supply chain agents with distribution tasks so that they can focus on their core competencies of product development and manufacturing. However, there are many inadequacies in current global supply chains that affect the functions of 3PL. These shortcomings have necessitated digital transformation in many businesses. This digitalization enhances information sharing and supply chain visibility, which improves supply chain performance; however, it may create challenges regarding cybersecurity and data quality. Blockchain technology (BCT), with features such as being highly secure and distributed, can help. In this paper, we examine the literature and identify challenges associated with 3PL and how BCT can be used for 3PL. Then, we conduct interviews with four innovation/project managers of well-established logistics companies to uncover the status of BCT adoption in 3PL and the challenges that are hampering the adoption of this technology. Finally, we propose a framework together with a decision roadmap for BCT implementation.
Mahesh Kumar, Lavish Kumar, Jai Jai, Yogesh Sharma
Counterfeit drugs are a major and growing concern globally, particularly during pandemics. One of the reasons for this is the inefficiency of the supply chain system in the pharmaceutical industry, which can make it difficult to trace the ownership of drugs from manufacturer to wholesaler, distributor, and pharmacist before it reaches the customer. In this study, we have evaluated different proposed blockchain-based supply chain management systems. The system that uses Hyperledger Fabric ensures data sharing, storage, transparency, and traceability in every stage of the supply chain. Meanwhile, the Ethereum architecture makes use of smart contracts to manage the communication between sender and receiver. The primary aim of the research is to improve the safety of pharmaceutical products and streamline supply chain operations with the most effective architecture. In addition to the benefits of transparency and traceability that blockchain technology can provide, it can also help to improve the overall efficiency and security of the supply chain. For example, by using smart contracts, automated processes can be put in place for the transfer of ownership and payment for drugs, reducing the need for manual intervention and reducing the risk of errors or fraud. Additionally, by creating a tamper-proof record of all transactions, blockchain technology can provide an auditable trail of the movement of drugs through the supply chain, which can be helpful for regulatory compliance and quality assurance. Furthermore, blockchain technology can also support the implementation of new business models in the pharmaceutical industry such as digitalized provenance records and tokenization of drugs to provide more transparency, security, and trust for the customer. It's worth noting that implementing blockchain technology in the pharmaceutical supply chain will require collaboration and cooperation between stakeholders in the industry, including manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and regulators. With the right approach and collaboration, blockchain technology has the potential to revolutionize the way that the pharmaceutical industry operates, making the supply chain more efficient, secure, and reliable, while also helping to reduce the risk of counterfeit drugs and protect public health.
Sirsha Pattanayak, Ramkumar M. Arputham, Mohit Goswami, Nripendra P. Rana
Blockchain technology (BCT) as a disruptive innovation has chains (SCs) to effectively deal with severe disruptions, such as those accompanied by COVID-19. To this end, this study explores BCT's role in minimizing the negative impact of such SC disruptions and improving SC resilience. Our study employs semistructured interviews interwoven with thematic analysis to identify the capabilities deployable by BCT at each stage of disruption. Our study reveals key issues associated with contemporary SC networks and the capabilities that can be enhanced by blockchain-enabled SCs to mitigate such issues. Our study further proposes a conceptual framework highlighting the relationships among various phases of disruption, blockchain capabilities, and SC resilience capabilities through the theoretical lens of the dynamic capabilities view. The proposed framework underscores that for a firm operating in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment, BCT can enhance the ability to sense, ability to seize, and ability to maintain.
Purpose Blockchain technology (BT) is creating a new standard for all business operations. It can assist businesses in handling the complexity of circular digital supply chain (DCM) management. Despite this optimistic view, several barriers hinder its implementation. In this regard, this study contributes to Industry 4.0, circular economy (CE), the viability with a critical emphasis on its potential ramifications and influence on the future agenda while using BT technology in the supply chain (SC). In addition, the research reduces the knowledge gap by investigating and ranking the key barriers to the deployment of BT in viable circular digital supply chains (VCDSCs) and studies their interdependencies and causal relationships. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach The barriers to BT adoption in the VCDSC are identified through a thorough literature review and considering viability performance. These barriers are then classified using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is then employed to examine the cause/effect, correlation, and connection among the 14 barriers selected barriers from the AHP classification to estimate each barrier's overall degree of impact over the others. Findings This paper identifies and analyzes the BT adoption barriers in the VCDSC as well as examines how the key barriers interact. As a result, according to the AHP/DEMATEL method, the most prominent influencing barriers to the BT implementation in the VCDSC are “Data transparency,” “Market competition,” “Missing infrastructure,” “Lack of standardization,” “Complex protocol,” “Lack of industry involvement,” “Financial constraints,” “Missing infrastructure,” “Data transparency” and “Interoperability.” The outcomes offer a potential path for identifying important barriers as well as insight into the implementation of BT in the SC while integrating different capabilities such as viability, sustainability and CE principles. Practical implications Managers and researchers will benefit from this research by gaining an understanding of the challenges that must be prioritized and examined for BT to be implemented successfully in the VCDSC. Originality/value The use and implementation of blockchain-enabled VCDSC continue to face challenges despite an increase in relevant practice and research. Despite the benefits of BT, managers struggle to apply such technology in the context of their company. In this respect, this paper uses an integrated AHP–DEMATEL for categorizing the BT barriers as well as the interrelationship between them. In this respect, this paper presents the BT barriers studied are those related to the use of BT in the SC while integrating different paradigms such as viability, digitalization and CE. While many studies look at the barriers to BT adoption; none of them has ever included the viable capability, which means the ability to “react agilely to positive changes, be resilient to absorb negative events and re-cover after disruptions and survive at long-term periods.” The study concludes with insightful comments based on the findings and suggestions for eradicating those obstacles and their associated effects.
Ahmad MohD Ababneh, Manal Ali Almarashdah, Iqbal H. Jebril, Murad Ali Ahmad Al-Zaqeba · 5 authors
This paper investigates the driving factors behind sustainable supply chains in Jordan, focusing on the implementation of blockchain technology, customs ports practices, and technological infrastructure. The primary data for the study was collected through questionnaires distributed to employees working in the Jordanian customs. A random sampling method was employed to select participants, and a total of 184 valid questionnaires were retrieved for analysis. The collected data was analyzed using the statistical software Smartpls PLS4. The results of quantitative research reveal that the implementation of blockchain technology and technological infrastructure positively affects the driving of sustainable supply chains in Jordan, also customs ports practices also have a positive impact on driving sustainable supply chains, emphasizing the significance of efficient and resilient customs operations for sustainability. Additionally, compliance with environmental regulations enhances the effectiveness of blockchain technology in achieving sustainability objectives. Moreover, underscoring the role of robust technological capabilities in supporting sustainable operations within customs ports. The study contributes to the understanding of the key drivers of sustainable supply chains in Jordan, providing valuable insights for policymakers, supply chain managers, and other stakeholders involved in promoting sustainability within the customs ports industry. The findings can guide decision-making and inform strategies aimed at enhancing eco-efficiency and resilience in supply chain operations.
Blockchain technology is revolutionizing all sectors of industries including the healthcare one. Blockchain technology applications have been realized in healthcare as they have the potential to revolutionize healthcare systems. Integrating blockchain into the design of supply chain design leads to decentralizing the management of the supply chain, and, in turn, improves workflow efficiency and reduces the various security threats. Therefore, this study aimed at examining the impact of integrating blockchain technology, into supply chain practices, on supply chain transparency and resilience. By adopting the organizational information processing theory, this study developed a research model that explored the impact of blockchain technology features including data quality, smart contracts, and traceability on supply chain resilience and transparency. Furthermore, this study examined the effect of supply chain transparency on supply chain resilience. The data was collected, from healthcare industry personnel, in Jordan, using an electronic survey. In total, 215 participants responded to the questionnaire. RStudio- 2022.07.1 was used to conduct the data analysis. Results revealed that data quality significantly and positively affects supply chain transparency and resilience. In addition to that, results indicated that while smart contracts are positively related to supply chain transparency, they do not affect supply chain resilience. Also, traceability was found to be positively related supply chain transparency and resilience. Finally, it was found that blockchain-driven supply chain transparency positively impacts blockchain-driven supply chain resilience. The results imply that integrating blockchain technology into the supply chain can enhance both supply chain transparency and resilience, and, in turn, provide the supply chain the capability of recovering to its original state should it encounter disruptive events. The outcomes of this study can help supply chain managers and other stakeholders to develop strategies and tactics to best utilize blockchain technology to enhance blockchain-driven supply chain transparency and resilience.
Kai Wannenwetsch, Isabel Ostermann, Rene Priel, Felix Gerschner · 5 authors
In the era of digital transformation, supply chain management faces major challenges induced by the lack of transparency and the evolving industry. In this context, blockchain technology has emerged as a possible answer to the future problems of the supply chain. In this paper, we present a systematic literature review on blockchain in the context of supply chains. The goal of our work is to present the factors and capabilities of blockchain technology that contribute to improving supply chain resilience. We also show which supply chain management factors limit the use of blockchain technology. Based on this, we identify various areas and applications of blockchain technology to support supply chains and highlight current work in the field. From the reviewed literature, we deduce a number of open challenges regarding the application of blockchains in the context of supply chains, e.g. the need (a) to improve the implementation process, (b) to make blockchain more cost-effective, (c) to educate potential users regarding blockchain security aspects, and (d) to further digitize supply chains as part of the digital transformation process.
Yusra Abdulrahman, Edin Arnautović, Vladimir Parezanović, Davor Svetinović
This paper presents an exhaustive investigation into the potential of integrating blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies within aerospace engineering, explicitly emphasizing supply chain management and operational efficiency. Given the decentralized nature of blockchain, it has the potential to enhance diverse facets of an aircraft’s lifecycle management significantly. At the same time, AI stands to revolutionize predictive supply chain models and structural fault detection. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current state, potential applications, challenges, and future research directions in this field based on an analysis of previous relevant literature. Further, it compares blockchain technology against traditional record management systems, underlining its data storage, security, transparency, and traceability advantages. Although these technologies promise significant advancements, many legal, regulatory, and technological readiness issues need addressing for broader acceptance within the industry. The findings highlight the importance of targeted research and development to unfold an array of new applications, driving innovation in aerospace engineering. This paper serves as a comprehensive survey for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, illustrating the transformative potential of AI and blockchain in the aerospace sector.
Establishing a well-functioning Supply Chain Management (SCM) system is paramount during challenging times such as pandemics, natural disasters, and international conflicts. The complexity of global supply chains necessitates efficient systems, procedures, and personnel to ensure optimal results. Poor coordination among entities can lead to increased counterfeit products, increased ocean transportation costs, more expensive freight brokerage, bottlenecks in cargo flow, congestion, and complications in product accountability. To ensure a smooth and hassle-free operation, it’s essential to maintain unambiguity and accuracy throughout every process. Therefore, it is vital to have effective systems, procedures, and personnel in place for SCM. The challenges encountered in SCM can be effectively tackled by utilizing blockchain technology. The architecture of blockchain technology is characterized by its distributed, decentralized and robust safety measures, which guarantee the integrity of data storage and its distribution across a meticulously organized ledger. Users can confidently rely on this innovative design’s transparency, reliability, and safety. Implementing blockchain technology carries immense potential in bolstering safety and privacy measures in diverse sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, Goods and Services Tax (GST), academics, e-voting and automobile. This investigation delves into the practical applications of blockchain technology for SCM. It thoroughly analyses existing research and literature to uncover the latest advancements and potential future breakthroughs in this area.