Blockchain Technology (BCT) has effectively evolved in reverse logistics (RL) to speed up its operation by decentralising, tracing, and monitoring the goods delivered to the end consumers. This study outlines the current research fashion of BCT applicability in RL from 2015 to 22. A wide range of 226 research papers is selected from the SCOPUS database to conduct the bibliometric and network analysis for offering a comprehensive literature review on research clusters and fashions of BCT in RL. Some primary research clusters such as infrastructure development, sustainable manufacturing, logistics, circular supply chain, and waste management are identified. The network analysis has helped identify pioneer authors, journals, and countries actively involved in BCT research in RL. The content analysis findings indicate the evolution of BCT in various themes of RL. The articles also develop a result systematisation framework to concisely offer the outcomes of this research. Further, the current study provides recommendations for future research work for academic and industry practitioners based on the existing literature.
This study develops a dual-channel supply chain model composed of a retailer with capital constraints and a supplier with sufficient funds, in which the retailer can apply the trade credit financing (TCF) from the supplier. First of all, this work introduces inconsistent pricing strategy, and investigates the optimal pricing, sales-effort level decisions and profits of the dual-channel members. Then it investigates the impacts of consumer channel preference, free-riding behavior (FRB), TCF interest rate, cross-channel return (CCR) and unit contribution to the supplier of the CCR products on the optimal sales-effort level, optimal pricing decisions and the profits of each member under the decentralized and centralized decisions, respectively. To reduce the conflict between the two channels, this research proposes a supplier-revenue sharing contract to coordinate the members so as to achieve the win-win performance with the global optimal supply chain profit. Furthermore, this study uses numerical analysis to test the feasibility of the model and conduct sensitivity analysis. The further results are concluded as follows. (1) Supplier's revenue-sharing contract can well coordinate the dual-channel supply chain with TCF, and achieve the win-win performance with the inconsistent pricing strategy. (2) Under the centralized decision, the overall supply chain profit will have a significant increase with a higher offline-channel preference proportion. (3) The growth of the free-riding coefficient will reduce the overall supply chain profit under both decentralized and centralized decisions when consumers prefer the offline channel, but will increase the centralized overall profit when consumer prefer the online channel. (4) Under the decentralized decision, the online channel's profit will go up and the offline channel's profit will go down when the TCF interest rate increase. (5) Under the decentralized decision, the overall supply chain profit can achieve the maximum by setting a lower unit contribution to the supplier of the CCR products if consumers prefer CCR service. Finally, this work indicates some managerial implications, and proposes some issues for future research.
YaĆanur Kayıkçı, Nazlıcan Gözaçan, Abderahman Rejeb, K. Mathiyazhagan
Abstract The growing importance of the circular economy has emphasised optimal utilisation of resources within the constraints of economic development and protection of the environment. Digital technologies associated with Industry 4.0, such as blockchain, facilitate the implementation of circular economy principles throughout the supply chain. However, because blockchain implementation in the supply chain is still in the early stages, realâworld examples of the blockchainâbased circular supply chains (CSCs) are limited. The principal purpose of the paper is to examine the critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing blockchainâbased CSCs. Following that, 10 CSFs are identified through a short systematic literature review, and then, the integrated fuzzy cognitive mapping and fuzzy bestâworst method (FCMâFBWM) is implemented to examine CSFs for the blockchainâbased CSC. The study's main findings demonstrate that network collaboration is the best CSF, while the shared circular economy toolbox is counted worst of all. This research enriches the literature by identifying the CSFs for implementing blockchainâenabled CSCs to address the lack of a suitable decisionâmaking framework that assists managers in comprehending how blockchain technology can be adopted in the circular economy context. Implications for theory and practice are also discussed, offering new insights into the measures necessary to ensure successful blockchain implementations in CSCs.
The Supply Chain Scheduling (SCS) decision making is a challenging task under the blockchain environment because the supply chain is composed of multi-players in all layers. To utilise the information sharing by multiplayers with equal rights in all layers to maximise the supply chainâs utility for reducing the carbon emission, this study proposed a three-echelon supply chain integrated scheduling model that considers the production capacity and multi-product with different delivery time factors. The objective is to minimise the total cost incurred in production and transportation under the blockchain environment. To cope with the complexity arising from multiplayers with equal rights in all layers, a metaheuristic based sequential brain storm optimisation (SBSO) algorithm with a novel encoding scheme and the hybrid crossover and mutation strategy is proposed to enhance the performance. A case study comparing the proposed decision-making framework with the artificial bee colony algorithm (ABC) and the backtracking search algorithm (BSA) is conducted, and results show the superiority of the proposed framework. With the help of the proposed SCS decision-making framework, not only can the SCS decision be made, but also the low efficient nodes within the supply chain under the blockchain environment can be identified for potential sustainable upgrading.
Shobod Deba Nath, Abul Khayer, Jeta Majumder, Suborna Barua
Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the intention to adopt blockchain technology (BT) in operations and supply chain and to explore the moderating role of sustainability-oriented supplier development on the effects studied. Design/methodology/approach The authors developed a conceptual framework based on the integration of technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework and diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory along with several strands of the literature in supply chain management and information systems. Drawing on survey data from 412 supply firms, a novel model using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was empirically tested in the context of the apparel industry of Bangladesh â the world's second-largest apparel supplier nation. Findings The findings supported the theoretical framework developed. In particular, the findings suggested that supplier firms' intention to adopt blockchain in supply chains is influenced by relative advantage, compatibility, perceived trust, top management considerations, absorptive capacity, information sharing and collaborative culture, and trading partners' influence. However, regulatory support is yet to play a significant role in blockchain adoption behaviour. The findings also suggest that supplier development for sustainability significantly moderates the relationship between the several drivers' (e.g. relative advantage, compatibility, top management considerations and trading partners' influence) effects on blockchain adoption. Practical implications The findings could help in developing an enabling environment for introducing blockchain-based apparel operations and supply chains. Originality/value The study contributes to and expands the embryonic research stream of sustainable supply chain management and BT. In particular, the paper provides neoteric evidence on how supplier development towards achieving sustainability moderates the effects of organizational, technological, and environmental drivers on the intention to adopt BT.
Despite the promising features of blockchain, such as enhancing efficiency, transparency, immutability, cost savings, and traceability, the technology is still not widely adopted across industries. The oil and gas industry uses state-of-the-art engineering solutions for oil and gas exploration but substantially lags behind in using innovative digital technologies that can improve operational excellence. This study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework for assessing blockchain adoption strategies. The framework builds on critical factors for blockchain adoption and four adoption strategies â single use, localization, substitution, and transformation. Data were collected from ten experts in the Norwegian oil and gas industry using a structured web survey. The Bayesian Best Worst Method (BWM), a probabilistic MCDM method, was used for analysis. The results suggest that three sub-criteria, which are lack of expertise about technology, lack of supply chain partner collaboration, and reducing operation cost, have the most impact on the adoption process. As for blockchain adoption alternatives, the fourth phase, that is, transformation, is the most preferred in the context of the Norwegian oil and gas industry. The proposed framework lays the foundation for companies to understand the critical elements that need improvement to accelerate the blockchain technology adoption process.
Nada A. Nabeeh, Mohamed AbdelâBasset, Abduallah Gamal, Victor Chang
A blockchain, as a form of distributed ledger technology, represents the unanimity of replication, synchronization, and sharing of data among various geographical sites. Blockchains have demonstrated impressive and effective applications throughout many aspects of the business. Blockchain technology can lead to the advent of the construction of Digital Twins (DTs). DTs involve the real representation of physical devices digitally as a virtual representation of both elements and dynamics prior to the building and deployment of actual devices. DT products can be built using blockchain-based technology in order to achieve sustainability. The technology of DT is one of the emerging novel technologies of Industry 4.0, along with artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Therefore, the present study adopts intelligent decision-making techniques to conduct a biased analysis of the drivers, barriers, and risks involved in applying blockchain technologies to the sustainable production of DTs. The proposed model illustrates the use of neutrosophic theory to handle the uncertain conditions of real-life situations and the indeterminate cases evolved in decision-makersâ judgments and perspectives. In addition, the model applies the analysis of Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methods through the use of ordered weighted averaging (OWA) and the Technique of Order Preference Similarity to the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to achieve optimal rankings for DT production providers based on consistent weighted decision-makerâs judgments in order to maintain and to assure sustainability. An empirical study is applied to the uncertain environment to aid decision-makers in achieving ideal decisions for DT providers with respect to various DT challenges, promoting sustainability and determining the best service providers. The Monte Carlo simulation method is used to illustrate, predict, and forecast the importance of the weights of decision-makersâ judgments as well as the direct impact on the sustainability of DT production.
Purpose In the digital transformation era, the construction industry is not immune to unintended consequences and disruptions of distributed ledger technologies like blockchain. At the micro-level, construction organizations need an in-depth understanding of blockchain risks to take proactive strategies for being on the safe side. This study seeks to answer âWhat are the risks associated with blockchain technology from the firm-level perspective? And how can this disruptive technology overshadow the business objectives and impact organizational criteria?â Design/methodology/approach The current research proposes a novel model for risk assessment based on the trapezoidal fuzzy ordinal priority approach (OPA-F) in the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) context. The proposed model handles uncertainties of experts' judgment around three primary parameters: the importance of organizational criteria, the impact of blockchain risks on criteria and the probability of risk occurrence. Findings The case study shows that organizational âcommunication and informationâ is exposed to the most blockchain risk. On the contrary, blockchain has less to do with an organization's âcorporate social responsibility.â Furthermore, effective blockchain risk management can bring about cost efficiency, quality and improved customer experience for this case study. In the end, the authors develop a conceptual blockchain risk management framework based on findings. Research limitations/implications This study will broaden researchers' horizons regarding âblockchain in construction contextâ and âblockchain risk management.â Practical implications Furthermore, executives looking for blockchain-based solutions can benefit from research findings and lessons learned from this case study before decision-making. Lastly, the risk assessment model based on trapezoidal OPA-F can be used both for research purposes and industrial decision problems. Originality/value To the best of the authorsâ knowledge, it is for the first time that the OPA-F is employed in a risk assessment model. Also, the original OPA-F is extended to trapezoidal OPA-F using trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, and it is the first attempt to evaluate blockchain risks facing construction organizations and develop a blockchain risk management framework accordingly.
Blockchain applications have the potential to greatly improve operational efficiency and effectiveness along the supply chain. Although we know what the barriers to the adoption of blockchain are, we know little about how firms overcome these barriers to reap the benefits of the technology. A particular challenge in adopting blockchain applications is the need to build and implement them among a network of users, requiring firms to collaborate. To manage and advance such collaborative efforts, blockchain projects install a centralised leadership. There is thus a tension between the need for centralised leadership and decentralised control to justify the use of blockchain technology. In this study, we investigate how blockchain projects navigate this tension. We employ a multiple case study methodology to compare five collaborative blockchain applications that are live today. Our findings indicate that the case applications all combine centralised management with decentralised oversight in a similar manner. We argue that this combination of centralised and decentralised control is a great benefit for the successful development and implementation of blockchain applications. The results underline that to benefit from blockchain technology in supply chain applications, an important collaborative organisational effort is necessary.
Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore the application of blockchain technology (BCT) in recycling. This research applies a multiple case study approach with six pioneer organisations, based on secondary data. We found that BCT is an effective approach to promote recycling performance: it can provide tokenisation, waste flow tracking and recycling chain integration. The benefits include âEcoâfriendlyâ, âStimulate participationâ, âSocial inclusionâ, âTransparent recycling chainsâ and âExtended producer responsibility accountabilityâ. However, the majority of existing BCTâbased initiatives are in the pilot stage and face cognitive, technology, internal and external barriers. Our research is one of the first studies on blockchainâbased recycling. We applied the network theory of âReachabilityâ, âRichnessâ and âReceptivityâ and ânetwork formationâ barriers to propose a conceptual framework of BCTâbased recycling, which serves as a practical reference for the recycling industry.
Based on the practical needs of cross-border trade between Yunnan Province, China, and Southeast Asian countries, this paper studies the impact of blockchain technology usage on operational performance. Owing to immutability and traceability, the implementation of a blockchain-based platform solves several existing problems of cross-border trade. We conducted a field experiment to verify the effect of blockchain technology on the operational efficiency of cross-border trade companies. The results show that operational, agency, and time costs significantly decrease. Blockchain usage reduces the intermediary agencies of cross-border trade and settlement payment for traders, also improves the timeliness of business processing and the efficiency of cross-departmental business collaboration. This study provides new insights on the interface of blockchain technology and supply-chain operation management.
Mahtab Kouhizadeh, Qingyun Zhu, Lojain Alkhuzaim, Joseph Sarkis
Abstract Overconsumption of resources has become a global issue. To deal with resource depletion and mitigate these impending crises, the circular economy (CE) holds some promise. A wide range of performance measurements for CE have emerged over the years. However, with increasing complexity of supply chains, appropriate and potentially new performance measurements are needed for effective CE management. Blockchain is an innovative technology that may advance CE development. This chapter provides an overview of the potential linkages between blockchain technology and CE from sustainability perspectives â the specific focus will be on the performance measurement of reverse logistics activities. One of the main findings indicates that both blockchain and CE performance measurements â especially reverse logistics processes â are still evolving in both theory and practical developments. Future directions with a critical analysis including research and theoretical applications will conclude this chapter.
Purpose Digital transformation (DT) in the semiconductor industry goes beyond traditional business operations and supply chain management (OSCM) to the digital world. Despite significant developments in recent years, blockchain implementations for OSCM remain relatively underdeveloped in the semiconductor industry. Therefore, this research aims to examine the relationships between blockchain visibility, supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) in the era of DT in Malaysia's semiconductor industry to shed light on this emerging area. Design/methodology/approach A convenience sampling of 71 operations and supply chain managers attached to semiconductor manufacturing firms in Malaysia were invited to participate in a survey. In assessing blockchain visibility within the industry, key terms namely business intelligence gathering, information exchange, information technology (IT) and knowledge of asset status, were conceptualised from the literature review. The questionnaires developed to collect data were validated by industry and academic experts. Findings The results from the analysis confirmed that SCI mediates the link between blockchain visibility (information exchange, business intelligence gathering and knowledge asset status) and SCP. Likewise, the importance-performance matrix analysis (IPMA) outcomes revealed that IT played a minor role. The results suggested that semiconductor manufacturers should pay less attention to IT since this was identified as having the least priority towards improvement. Practical implications The outcomes from this research enable policymakers to strategise and integrate blockchain technology in the era of DT to ensure sustainable SCM in the semiconductor industry in Malaysia. Originality/value The research bridge the knowledge gap by revealing the value that blockchain visibility can facilitate SCP and explore SCI as the prevailing factor and demonstrates how Resource-Based Theory and Network Theory can be applied in this study.
Customers want to experience unique products that suit their individual preferences. Therefore, companies are looking for ways to produce personalized products by moving away from traditional production models. Technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and cyber-physical systems have an important role in adopting the personal custom production model. In this study, a reliable and optimized mass customization framework is proposed. The framework has three main contributions. First, the use of Blockchain provides advantages in terms of data persistence, traceability, transparency, and reliability. Second, the production process is optimized by using artificial intelligence methods. A decision support mechanism is proposed for customers who will place orders. As a combination of the contributions, the proposed mass customization framework covers the processes from ordering to production. In addition to contributions such as facilitated customization and reliable data, energy saving in production is increased with the proposed framework. Simulation results show that energy savings between 10 and 47% are achieved.
Abstract As a concern with manufacturing industries, circular economy (CE) practicesâoften labeled âcircular manufacturing (CM)ââare industrial tasks through which several circular economy principles have been integrated. Among these circular manufacturing strategies, â3Râ (recycle, refurbish/remanufacture, and reuse/redistribute) is the key strategy that assists the manufacturing industry with closing the loop for sustainability. An effective inclusion and management of 3R lead a firm to a greater likelihood of successfully integrating CE and CM. In recent years, remanufacturing has gained greater prominence, especially with the emergence of technology, including cyberâphysical systems. These technologies assist the remanufacturing firm with efficient takeâback systems through tracking. However, data transferred through these technologies among value chain partners in remanufacturing are not reliable. Due to the lack of trust and transparency, value chain partners are hesitant to participate in remanufacturing supply chains. To address the limitation of technologies in remanufacturing, blockchain has been introduced to secure the data. Despite the advantages of blockchain technology, practitioners face difficulties in integrating these blockchain technologies into the remanufacturing context. Several earlier studies addressed the challenges of implementing blockchain, but no earlier studies have specifically examined remanufacturing industries, which are entirely different from forward supply chain industries. Concerning the fact, this study identifies the barriers that exist with the implementation of blockchain technology in the application of the remanufacturing sector. A framework has been proposed and validated in a Danish automotive parts remanufacturing company. Multiâcriteria decisionâmaking method has been used to identify the effective and most influential barriers among common barriers. Results reveal that âscaling of technologyâ ( B6 ) is the key barrier of BCT implementation in remanufacturing context. This study concludes with useful discussions based on the results along with the recommendations to eradicate those influential barriers and their respective impacts on SDGs (SDG4, SDG8, SDG9, and SDG17). Finally, this study sheds light on future enhancements on the integration of blockchain technology in remanufacturing to reap several benefits of circular manufacturing.
Shahbaz Khan, Mohit Kaushik, Rajeev Kumar, Waseem Khan
Purpose Blockchain is an evolving technology that has an impact on a variety of industries and related operations including food supply chain. There are several challenges associated in the implementation of blockchain in the food supply chain. As a result, the goal of this research is to identify and analyse the barriers associated with the implementation of blockchain in food supply chains. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review is conducted to identify 16 primary barriers associated with the implementation of blockchain technology in the food supply chain and experts finalise these identified barriers and further categorise them into four groups. Furthermore, the best worst method is used to prioritise the finalised barriers. Findings The findings suggest that âtechnological barriersâ and âorganisational barriersâ are primary barriers among the identified barriers for the implementation of blockchain. These barriers could be mitigated through supply chain collaboration, efficient blockchain technology development through research and development, and increasing technical competence. Research limitations/implications In terms of limitation, there is a possibility that some barriers were overlooked in the literature review process, and expert judgement might be prejudiced. This paper examines the blockchain implementation in the food supply chain, to assist policymakers in overcoming these barriers and ensuring effective adoption. Originality/value This study focuses on the effective implementation of blockchain technology in the food supply chain in the context of emerging economies.
Sandip Rakshit, Nazrul Islam, Sandeep Mondal, Tripti Paul
This study examines the impact of blockchain technology (BCT) on small and medium-sized enterprisesâ (SMEs) internationalization. Further, it examines how Amazon as a platform reframes the global partnership environment via the BCT network that enables Indian SMEs to operate globally. Data were collected from 291 employees at 43 high-tech SMEs in India. They revealed untapped interest in how Indian SMEs will use Amazon for global operations. Several factors, such as processes to strategize, synergize, and standardize, are described as needing to be addressed before SMEs can boost integrated business efficiency, especially with regards to marketing capacity, scale, scope, and financial performance. The study represents a critical theoretical contribution to Amazon-based global operations by developing the 3S Triangle Model, which could provide a basis for future business practice. Furthermore, the study defines and addresses the evolution of BCT that Amazon has usedâand continues to useâas a global operations platform. At the convergence of BCT, Amazon, and global retail activities, we propose and advance an integrated model of BCT-driven global operations among SMEs that provides a holistic view of state-of-the-art practices and exciting avenues for future study.
We investigate how blockchain technology influences optimal pricing and quality decisions under two different supply chain structures. In both cases, the supplier is the leader and plays a Stackelberg game with downstream platform(s). Specifically, the supplier determines the wholesale prices and quality levels of the products, and the platform(s) decides the selling prices. Based on our analysis, we find that when consumer acceptance of blockchain is low, among the two products in the single platform, the products with blockchain technology have not only a high quality but also a low price. However, in the case of the two competitive platforms, although blockchain will also enable the platform that uses this technology to provide products with a high quality and low price, its advantages are not obvious. Nevertheless, in comparing the two cases, when consumer acceptance is high, the two competing platforms tend to provide products with a high quality and low price, regardless of whether or not the products use blockchain technology. Our conclusions reveal that although blockchain will benefit a supplier and consumers, in some cases, the supplier will have an incentive to decrease the quality level of the products with blockchain technology, which will eventually negatively affect consumers.
Abstract The increasing population and income inequality in the last decades have made it necessary to focus on the concept of sustainability. In the changing world order, with economic crises, instabilities, pandemics, and social media, sustainability awareness differs significantly from past years. In addition, developing new technologies and concepts (big data, blockchain, IoT, robotic, etc.) plays a crucial role in meeting social awareness in terms of sustainability. Food sustainability is also one of the most important pillars in this concept. The integration of new technologies in agriculture and food chains will enable the current world population to use resources more efficiently and sustainably. Blockchain, one of the technologies that emerged with the arrival of Industry 4.0, is a technology that can be used effectively in many sectors. Particularly in supply chain networks, it is seen as a technology that supports the sustainability concept due to its features such as decentralization, reliability, transparency, consensus standards, and traceability. However, since blockchain is an immature and new technology, there are some challenges with integrating it into existing conventional systems. This study aims to present a conceptual framework for the integration of blockchain technology to establish a sustainable tea supply chain, define possible actions, and prioritize the possible risks that may arise in this integration process; this will be done through the Spherical Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (SFâAHP) approach. In this context, initially, the current tea supply chain will be considered and the activities carried out will be defined in terms of technological, environmental, and strategic sustainability. Then, the design that includes the integration of all activities with blockchain technology is presented. The proposed design covers the entire tea supply chain from end to end and is considered with regard to all sustainability dimensions. In the proposed framework, barriers that may be encountered and risks that may arise at each stage of the tea supply chain process are identified; managerial implications are then presented to eliminate these risks. To enhance the use of the recommendations made, risks and barriers are prioritized with SFâAHP management. Thus, the problems that need to be solved primarily in the technological transformation process can be evaluated more clearly. The proposed theoretical framework is expected to extend to all agricultural practices and support technological advances throughout the agricultural sector.