Blockchain Papers

Sachin Yadav, Surya Prakash Singh

No abstract is available for this record.

Pamela J. Zelbst, Kenneth W. Green, Victor E. Sower, Philip L. Bond

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess the combined impact of radio frequency identification (RFID), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Blockchain technologies on supply chain transparency (SCT). Design/methodology/approach Data from 211 US manufacturing managers is analyzed using a covariance-based structural equation modeling methodology. Findings The structural model fits the data relatively well. RFID technology directly and positively impact both IIoT and Blockchain technologies which, in turn, directly and positively impact SCT. RFID technology indirectly affects SCT through both IIoT technology and Blockchain technology. Research limitations/implications This study is the first to empirically assess the impact of RFID, IIoT and Blockchain technologies on SCT. First-wave empirical studies must be replicated to support generalization of the findings. Practical implications This study provides empirical evidence to support the implementation of a combination of RFID, IIoT and Blockchain technologies as infrastructure necessary to achieve end-to-end SCT. Originality/value New measurement scales for IIoT technology utilization and Blockchain technology utilization are developed and assessed for validity and reliability. This is the first study to assess the combined impact of RFID, IIoT and Blockchain technologies on SCT.

Soha Yousuf, Davor Svetinović

Despite significant research, the supply chain management challenges still have a long way to go with respect to solving the issues such as management of product supply information, product lifecycle, transport history, etc. Given the recent rise of blockchain technology in various industrial sectors, our work explores the issues prevalent in each stage of the supply chain and checks their candidacy for the implementation using blockchain technology. The analysis is performed in terms of the characteristics of trust and decentralization with respect to forming a generalized framework. The main contribution of this work is to create a conceptual overview of the areas where blockchain integrates with supply chain management in order to benefit further research and development.

Dimosthenis Kifokeris, Christian Koch

Research on blockchain technology implementation within civil engineering is quickly emerging. The use of blockchain for the integration of the material and economic flows within construction supply chain – thus creating a new digital business model for the related actors – to enhance a construction project’s production, logistics management, and constructability, has been only scarcely investigated. In this paper, this shortage is documented through a comprehensive literature review. Then, the potential of Swedish independent third-party logistics consultants as a fertile ground for such a digital business model, is examined. Finally, conclusions about the pursuance of this potential paradigm shift are drawn.

Daniel Arias Aranda, Luis Miguel Molina Fernández, Vladimir Stantchev

Global humanitarianism is largely based on the correct management of the humanitarian aid chain. Agility is a concept taken from supply chain management in manufacturing that has been recently applied to humanitarian aid supply chains (HASC) in order to deliver emergency disaster relief. Different actors participate in the HASC (International and local NGOs, governmental institutions and services, army or individual initiatives, among others) whose configurations, processes or goals directly influence the levels of responsiveness, flexibility or agility. In addition, fast changing environments and conditions require different agencies to work with effectiveness even reconfiguring to deliver relief in extreme emergency circumstances. There are plenty of catastrophic disasters sorts which differ in their impact according to multiple variables such as the level of country development, geographical distance to basic resources, political circumstances such as wars or embargos, inclusionary community participation, existence of potential or real epidemics, etc. This complexity involves plenty of difficulties for operational effectiveness as well as for the definition of an aid supply chain strategy. This paper provides an overview of the benefits that the integration of IoT and Blockchain can produce on HASC performance conditions involving resources, processes, outputs, outcomes and impacts.

Rita Azzi, Rima Kilany, Maria Sokhn

No abstract is available for this record.

Jian Zhang

In the rapidly evolving environment of the international supply chain, the traditional network of manufacturers and suppliers has grown into a vast ecosystem made of various products that move through multiple parties and require cooperation among stakeholders. Additionally, the demand for improved product visibility and source-to-store traceability has never been higher. However, traditional data sharing procedures in today’s supply chain are inefficient, costly, and unadaptable as compared to new and innovative technology. Blockchain technology has shown promising results for improving supply chain networks in recent applications and has already impacted our society and lifestyle by reshaping many business and industry processes. In an effort to understand the integration of blockchain technology in the supply chain, this paper systematically summarizes its current status, key characteristics, potential challenges, and pilot applications.

Dominik Röck, Erik Hofmann, Remy Graf

Purpose Lately, supply chain practitioners and academics have shown increasing interest in supply chain transparency (SCT). And, at the same time, both parties turned their attention to distributed ledger technology (DLT) and its potential for supply chain management (SCM) and in particular SCT. However, little is known why organizations seek to enhance SCT with DLT solutions and what capabilities are required for these solutions. Consequently, research and practice lacks an indication how organizations can build up these capabilities. This paper seeks to address these gaps. Design/methodology/approach In order to explore the drivers to use DLT solutions to enhance SCT, to identify the required capabilities and to answer how organization can build up these capabilities, the authors follow an inductive multiple case study approach. The authors selected five cases in the diamond industry, as these are the pioneers to implement DLT to enhance SCT. Findings Drawing on information processing theory (IPT), the cases demonstrate that organizations seek to process information across company boundaries via DLT due to a lack of transparency in the industry. In order to adopt and integrate DLT-enhanced SCT solutions, organizations have to build up organizational and interorganizational capabilities. Both types of capabilities require organizational and collaborative effort. Research limitations/implications The study reveals that organizations have to overcome challenges of information processing capabilities (IPC) not only on an organizational level but also on an interorganizational level. Practical implications The study underlines the importance of collaborative effort when seeking to enhance SCT via DLT solutions. Original/value This is one of the first studies to explore DLT-enhanced SCT solutions based on empirical data and identify the required capabilities for successful adoption and integration in SCM.

Vincent Hargaden, Nikolaos Papakostas, Anthony Newell, Adam Khavia · 5 authors

Due to the increasingly complex nature of large-scale structural engineering projects, there is an increasing focus on the adoption and integration of technology. However, the construction sector tends to be further behind than most when it comes to the adoption of process-based innovative technologies. On the other hand, the decentralised, peer-to-peer principles of blockchain technology has recently attracted interest from a range of industries around the globe who are attempting to improve their business practices. This paper provides insights into the performance capabilities of blockchain technology in the construction industry and the feasibility of its potential adoption through use cases. It explores smart contract applications and the feasibility of integrating the technology with building information modelling and information management. Furthermore, the paper argues that blockchain technology has the potential to significantly increase the efficiency of processes within the construction industry and eliminate issues surrounding trust, transparency and verification currently experienced in the sector.

Oi Wa Amy Lam, Zhibin Lei

In order to help track and disclose environmental performance across the textile and apparel supply chain, DLT is proposed as an ideal tool for information storage and communication in a highly transparent network. Every participant in the network can get access to the information for supply chain process, and eventually build a high level of trust on suppliers' environmental governance. This paper aims to bring out the potential of DLT technology on the textile and apparel supply chain. We discuss how to utilize the unique characteristics of DLT for achieving low carbon emissions during textile and apparel manufacturing through better supply chain transparency. In details, an overview of DLT technology is provided in this paper by showing the design, business implications and opportunities in the textile and apparel supply chain. In addition, a case study is illustrated on DLT technology in the textile and apparel supply chain transparency for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)'s Low Carbon Manufacturing Programme (LCMP).

Najneen Shaikh, Suheb Shaikh, Gyankamal J. Chhajed

Counterfeit of medicine is major problem for consumer. Though there are more conventional methods for identifying counterfeit of medicine but they lack in security so to overcome this problem we are proposing secure software for medicine manufacturing supply chain management system by using blockchain technology. Blockchain technology is specially used in bitcoin cryptocurrency. It is characterized as an open-source, decentralized, distributed database for storing medicine information. Instead of relying on centralized intermediaries, this technology allows two parties to transact directly using duplicate, linked ledger called blockchain. Supply chain management is collection of activities required to plan, control and execute a products flow, from collecting raw materials and production through distribution to the final customer, in the most smooth and cost effective way possible. Supply Chain is beneficial when consumer or the organizations who want the information about medicine manufacturing at every stage to compare its quality. Confidential information related to medicine manufacturing is not to be unveil is accessible to authorized users.

Akash Kharat

The goal of the thesis is to objectify the integration of DLT into the chain of stakeholders within the Supply Chain network.

Tsan‐Ming Choi, Xin Wen, Xuting Sun, Sai‐Ho Chung

No abstract is available for this record.

Stefan Tönnissen, Frank Teuteberg

No abstract is available for this record.

Alireza Shojaei

Blockchain provides a secure decentralized information management system that can solve many common problems facing the construction industry. The loose structure of the construction industry, the way that public and private projects are tendered, and the supply chain system it uses for material and service delivery provide unique challenges and problems. New information technology management systems such as BIM and RFID are used to address some of these issues, though not completely. Blockchain technology can be used to further improve the information management systems in construction, provide more automation and mitigate many possible legal conflicts by default. Implementation of blockchain technology in the construction industry can also result in the use of smart contracts with fewer administrative struggles, improve the flow of the project, material, and service delivery, and increase the security and currentness of BIM or project documents. This study aims to explore the applications of blockchain technology in improving the construction industry's information management systems. It is concluded that not only the blockchain technology has potential in addressing some of the common problems in the construction industry but also it is adaptable to the construction industry structure and the way it is practiced. Thus, blockchain technology is a viable option for adaptation in the construction industry.

Weiting Li, Zhi-Ping Lu

Block chain is a decentralized infrastructure that is widely used in emerging digital cryptocurrencies and has received attention and research as Bitcoin has gradually become accepted. Block chain technology is the underlying technology of Bitcoin. Its decentralization, block data cannot be tampered with, and it is trusted, which makes its application in various fields gradually gaining attention. With the deepening of the phenomenon of globalization and division of labor, the supply chain of modern enterprises began to appear fragmentary, complex, decentralized, and other phenomena, which brought great challenges to the supply chain management. First of all, it gives a basic overview of the block chain technology, explains its composition, basic framework and technical characteristics, then analyzes the problems in the current supply chain management, and finally points out that the block chain technology solves the above-mentioned supply chain management problems. The purpose is to help the block chain technology in the field of supply chain related research.

Huma Pervez, Irfan Ul Haq

Blockchain technology along with Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Computing is expected to cause disruption in the existing business processes at unprecedented scale. Smart Contracts which represent business logic are consolidated by blockchain architecture. A smart contract is a self-executing program that may be triggered on events generated by IoT sensors, actuators or tags. Blockchain and smart contracts which find their optimum suitability in multiparty arrangements are anticipated to bring a paradigm shift in the domains of Supply-chain and logistics. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the disruptive innovation happening in the logistics processes due to blockchain, smart contracts and Internet of Things. We highlight the some of the most important Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the logistics domain being positively affected due to this digital disruption and the required characteristics in the blockchain technologies for this paradigm shift to take place.

Qingyun Zhu, Mahtab Kouhizadeh

Products and associated materials are important supply chain flows. Product management greatly influences supply chain performance. Supply chain information is also critical for sound product management. Product deletion, rationalization, or discontinuation research is an important dimension often overlooked in product management. It is a critical issue for many managerial reasons, many espoused in this article. Product deletion is typically a multi-staged process including recognition, analysis and revitalization, evaluation and decision formation, and implementation. Each stage requires complicated information and data support from supply chain activities. Failure in information generating, understanding, and accuracy can prove risky for rational product deletion. Blockchain technology may help address information challenges. Blockchain technology provides traceability, transparency, security, accuracy, and smart execution, which can all contribute to the product deletion and rationalization decision. Application recommendations and managerial insights into product deletion decision making processes with blockchain technology are provided.

Hanna Norberg

The emergence of Distributed Ledger or Blockchain Technology BCT, stands to impact many parts of our society; from revolutionizing healthcare, to safeguarding voting, to keeping our data private. To the same affect, BCT stands to empower the very underpinnings that go into international trade: trust, traceability, accessibility and streamlining processes. As so many times before (e.g. ICT as well as the invention of the shipping container), novel technology lowers the costs and empowers international trade. This time to go from creating global value chains to scrutinizing and optimizing them. The aim of this policy brief is as follows; First, to provide a brief overview of the technology, the use and potential effects on international trade. Second, to provide some guidelines for policy makers on how to prepare for the development of the technology.

Amer A. Hijazi, Srinath Perera, Ali Mohammed Alashwal, Rodrigo N. Calheiros

No abstract is available for this record.

Mian Wasim Layaq, Alexander Goudz, Bernd Noche, Muhammad Atif

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the research development in supply chain risk management (SCRM) and to connect the new emerging digital technology Blockchain that could help to mitigate risks in any supply chain. Emerging literature, case studies, citations are used to fulfil this the task. The study will explore Blockchain and supply chain risks in details and will compare, how Blockchain based supply chain can mitigate these risks. There are many risks associated to supply chains but we will limit our study to only supply risk and study different areas of Blockchain application in supply chain with supply risk. Blockchain technologies have a potential to upgrade current supply chains. This will not only increase its performance in terms of speedy flow of raw material, finished goods, information and money flow but also help to mitigate current risk in supply chain by increasing visibility and transparency of supply chain. Smart contracts, IoT and Blockchain can serve together to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness in SCM. This research contributes to explore further research fields of Blockchain technology in different areas of supply chain risk management.

Nikhil Gupta Gourisetti, Michael Mylrea, Hirak Patangia

Cybersecurity vulnerability assessment tools, frameworks, and methodologies are used to understand the cybersecurity maturity of a system or a facility. However, these tools are strictly developed based on standards defined by organizations such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Department of Energy; the majority of these tools and frameworks do not provide a platform to prioritize the requirements to reach a desired cybersecurity maturity. To address that challenge, we have been developing a framework and software application called cybersecurity vulnerability mitigation framework through empirical paradigm (CyFEr). CyFEr treats the problem at hand as a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problem, which requires that various criteria be weighed relatively. Defining those weights is non-trivial and often leads to subjective decisions leading to undesired complications. To facilitate such a weighting system in CyFEr, we evaluated the application of various rank-weight methods (such as rank sum, reciprocal rank, rank exponent, and rank order centroid). The efficacy of those rank-weight methods was evaluated by applying them and testing against the blockchain cybersecurity framework (BC2F). BC2F was developed using the NIST cybersecurity framework to evaluate the cybersecurity posture of the blockchain nodes and networks in a given blockchain application or use-case. This paper provides 1) technical insights on the application of rank-weight methods to cybersecurity vulnerability assessments, 2) an overview of BC2F, 3) the application of rank-weight methods to BC2F, and 4) a depiction of the integration of the discussed rank-weight methods in CyFEr.

Anupam Kumar, Deepak Choudhary, M. Srikrishnam Raju, Dev Kumar Chaudhary · 5 authors

India, a global leader in manufacturing and the largest supplier of cost-effective generic drugs around the world, especially to the African countries under the United Nations aid, is facing a widespread fake drug epidemic. One of the major reasons behind this is the unregulated and complex drug supply chain. When a drug consignment change ownership from manufacturer to distributor and then to the wholesaler, no information is exchanged between the parties. We lack adequate auditability and transparency of the original source of drugs. Consequences include counterfeit drug problem, inefficient recall process of the drugs and lack of trust. By putting the entire drug supply chain of India on Blockchain, we propose to perform a quantitative analysis on leveraging unique blockchain properties like authenticity, accountability, and ability to handle sensitive information to solve India’s counterfeit drugs problem permanently. It will strengthen the supply chain and will introduce the much-needed transparency of transactions and quality assurance by tracking a drug through its entire lifecycle from the extraction of raw materials to the patient taking the drug. Along with this, smart contracts can be deployed which will provide automation, trust, and security to the system. Smart contracts are digital protocols that can be programmed to perform a task when a particular goal is reached without any intervention of a third party and can facilitate services like automatic payments, quality control, and trust between stakeholders.

Sachin Modgil, Vandana Sonwaney

This paper Decision making at the top level is very complex. One important responsibility of the policy makers and the governance system is to plan the safety and security to its citizen and consumers for the firms. This research address of the main concern of counterfeiting goods in today’s time. This research identify the potential and needs of the distributed ledger technologies like blockchain and their application potential to combat the problem of counterfeiting in Indian economy. The research uses SWARA (Step-wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis)-WASPAS (Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment) methodology after expert opinion gathered to understand the problem better and it results into the prioritization of application of blockchain in different industries. SWARA is applied to evaluate the weights of the criteria and WASPAS to evaluate and prioritize the alternatives.