Blockchain Papers

Anuj Kumar, Monika Arora, Kuldeep Bhalerao, Meghna Chhabra

No abstract is available for this record.

Yunpeng Sun, Mohsin Shahzad, Asif Razzaq

Global competition encourages all industries to attain cutting-edge performance by continuously developing their goods and processes; knowledge is the most effective and powerful weapon for long-term sustainability and growth. Effective blockchain adoption (BCA) and better supply chain visibility (SCV) via organizational and production knowledge management (KM) have emerged as the most powerful instruments for improving sustainable organizational performance (SOP). Therefore, drawing on the resource-based view and technology acceptance model, this study seeks to underline the empirical relationships among KM, BCA, SCV, and SOP in a developing country context of Chinese manufacturing, as research in this sector is still nascent encompassing these constructs. Data were collected from 289 respondents (senior, middle, and junior) level staff members from manufacturing industries and analyzed by a novel approach; partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The empirical analyses indicated that KM significantly impacts BCA. BCA also positively affects SCV. Besides BCA, the KM also positively impacts SOP. The mediation effect analysis revealed the significant serial mediating impact of BCA and SCV on the relationship of KM to SOP. This study enriches the inadequate literature and throws light on BCA from an organizational resource perspective. The study deepens our understanding and delivers valued insights to the managers and policymakers of manufacturing industries concerning the role of KM, BCA, and SCV in achieving SOP.

Tachia Chin, Yi Shi, Sanjay Kumar Singh, George Kwame Agbanyo · 5 authors

No abstract is available for this record.

Wei Wu, Yelin Fu, Zicheng Wang, Xinlai Liu · 7 authors

No abstract is available for this record.

Danielle Khalife, Satya Subrahmanyam, Assaad Farah

The paper analyzed the function of Blockchain Technology (BT) in the Circular Economy (CE) to improve the performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). It presents a Sustainable Circular Business (SCB) model that utilizes BT to improve the performance of SMEs. A closed-ended questionnaire survey was conducted to gather cross-sectional data from 275 SMEs. A total of 400 questionnaires were issued, of which 285 were received. The CE method in Circular Supply Chain Management (CSCM) provides both ecological and economic advantages to organizations. The advent of the Industry 4.0 era has brought about a strong focus on technology across all industries. The emergence of BT, a relatively new phenomena, has significant potential for enhancing the processes of SMEs. The findings indicate that BT favors the CE due to its characteristics like exposure, accountability, relationship management, and smart contracting. Also, it has been discovered that adopting environmentally friendly methods had a beneficial connection with both the environmental and economic aspects of SMEs performance. Additionally, it was also seen that the ecological sustainability of the business had a favorable relationship with its economic well-being. Finally, it was discovered that both sustainability and economic capabilities were responsible for enhancing the performance of SMEs.

Davide Calandra, Silvana Secinaro, Maurizio Massaro, Francesca Dal Mas · 5 authors

Abstract The paper investigates the relationship between Blockchain technology and new sustainable business models (SBMs). The literature notes a lack of empirical classifications and successful case studies. Using a multiple case studies methodology, our research article aims to answer the research question (RQ): How can Blockchain enable new SBMs and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? We present 20 business stories extracted from a combined analysis of the databases coinmarketcap.com and icobench.com, demonstrating how Blockchain can be used for environmental management. Notably, our analysis finds out four broad research clusters related to (i) smart energy management, (ii) climate change, (iii) waste management, and (iv) sustainable production. Mainly, an actual application of Blockchain toward SBMs is related to supply chain cost reduction. Finally, the research includes investments and their social scalability with Blockchain. Then, the final research cluster discovers social and proof sustainability. This study adds to the empirical literature evidence of SBMs offering a connection with the SDGs.

Geetika Jain, Sachin Kamble, Nelson Oly Ndubisi, Archana Shrivastava · 6 authors

No abstract is available for this record.

Yongchang Jiang, Chang Liu

No abstract is available for this record.

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 – 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.

Mohammad Rashed Hasan Polas, Ahmed Imran Kabir, Abu Saleh Md. Sohel‐Uz‐Zaman, Ridoan Karim · 5 authors

Blockchain technology has been heralded as a game changer for addressing severe environmental and economic sustainability challenges. In response to rising environmental concerns, blockchain technology (BCT) is transforming green innovation, culminating in green economic practices and well-established business models. Recognizing this, we investigated the role of blockchain technology in green innovation practices and its impact on green economic sustainability, which has an impact on green environmental sustainability. Moreover, 184 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were surveyed in Lima, Peru. Data for this cross-sectional study were gathered using stratified random sampling. The positivist approach was implemented using a statistical induction method. Prior studies’ research constructs were measured using validated measurement scales. For quantitative data analysis, using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) framework, this study provided two key findings. First, sustainability orientation and sustainability attitude have a positive and significant effect on the adoption of green innovation that employs green energy (solar) technology towards a sustainable green economy. Second, the intention to use blockchain technology mediates the relationship between sustainability orientation and social perception with the adoption of green innovation that employs green energy (solar) technology towards a sustainable green economy. We recommend that small- and medium-sized enterprises embrace green innovation and blockchain technology to protect the environment and boost community cohesiveness.

David Zargaran, Alexander Zargaran, Tim Weyrich, Afshin Mosahebi

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are unique digital assets created and traded on the internet. Over the past year, they have gained significant traction and investment, being heralded as a revolution in authentication and ownership. Employing blockchain technology, an immutable ledger of transactions is held, maintained across thousands of computers around the world. The application of NFTs has seen digital art gain early traction, although the “use-cases” are still being established in this nascent technology.1 Within the health care sphere, some have suggested the role of NFTs in supply-chain tracking of medications.2 An extension of the technology has been proposed to validate credentials and degree certificates, leveraging a key strength of the blockchain technology: transparency. Responding to the 2013 Keogh review into the regulation of cosmetic interventions, the Royal College of Surgeons in the United Kingdom has created the Cosmetic Surgery Certification Scheme.3 This recently re-launched scheme runs in parallel to a multitude of independent societies, including the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the UK Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the British Society of Facial Plastic Surgeons, the British Oculoplastic Surgical Society, the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners, and the General Medical Council specialist register. Furthermore, licensing organizations such as licensing boards or the General Medical Council do not provide a centralized credential for aesthetic practice. In the United States, a few of the organizations available include (without limitation) the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Aesthetic Society, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Foundation for Facial Aesthetic Surgery, National Coalition of Estheticians, National Aesthetic Spa Network, Professional Beauty Association, Society for Clinical and Medical Hair Removal, Society of Dermatology SkinCare Specialists, Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals, Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists, The Spa Association, and Vegas Cosmetic Surgery and Aesthetic Dermatology. This trend is observed around the world, with a multitude of organizations offering professional support, information, guidance, and oversight within a single country. The proliferation of associations above reporting to regulate and oversee their members could potentially dilute the value of membership. It also presents a challenging landscape for patients looking to verify the credentials of their practitioner. Although there are many benefits to joining professional societies beyond authentication, NFTs could prove valuable in helping prospective patients safely and quickly identify whether their practitioner is qualified to provide their care. Furthermore, beyond their role in identification and authentication of credentials, holding an NFT would enable formation of communities to share information and resources, building a collaborative hub that could potentially enhance training and development opportunities. It is important to note, however, that the technology is in its infancy, and further developments and refinements are inevitable. The described application of NFTs would, however, require a centralized body to ensure appropriate award and oversight of these tokens and would not solve the problem of multiple professional bodies, should each look to provide their own NFT. This suggests that rather than further creation of professional bodies, a consensus should be achieved for a singular body to govern the safe practice of cosmetic interventions. NFTs may therefore find a role in the future landscape of cosmetic practice as part of a greater overarching strategy. A transparent and open form of communication enabled by NFTs may hold the key for future optimism in improving patient safety. The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article. Dr Mosahebi is a Research section co-editor for Aesthetic Surgery Journal. The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Abderahman Rejeb, Karim Rejeb, John G. Keogh, Suhaiza Zailani

Blockchain can help to fundamentally alter aspects of circular economy (CE) activities and overcome pressing sustainability issues. Nevertheless, limited studies have investigated the barriers to blockchain adoption in the CE. This study aims to close the knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive review of the barriers hampering the adoption and integration of blockchain technology in the CE. An integrated approach based on fuzzy Delphi and best-worst methods has been applied to analyze and rank the barriers. Sixteen barriers to blockchain adoption in the CE were identified from the academic literature and validated by a panel of experts. The findings from the fuzzy Delphi technique identified ten significant barriers for further analysis. Then, using the best-worst method, the optimal weights were determined based on the experts’ judgment to recognize the importance of each barrier. The findings from this method showed that a lack of knowledge and management support, reluctance to change and technological immaturity are the most significant barriers. In contrast, the least significant barriers are investment costs, security risks, and scalability issues. Theoretically, this study is the first to apply an integrated approach combining fuzzy Delphi and best-worst techniques to prioritze the barriers to blockchain adoption in the CE. It also provides valuable insights for managers and decision-makers that can be used to optimize blockchain implementations in the CE.

Vincent Tawiah, Abdulrasheed Zakari, Guo Li, Anthony Kyiu

Abstract This study examines the relationship between the adoption of blockchain technology and environmental efficiency by using a sample of US firms over the 2015–2019 period. Our results indicate that the adoption of blockchain technology is positively and significantly associated with environmental efficiency, suggesting that blockchain improves environmental sustainability. In further analyses, we determine that the relationship between blockchain and environmental efficiency is more pronounced for firms in financial and technological industries than for those in other industries. Our findings are also robust to other methods that control for endogeneity, including difference in difference regressions and propensity score matching. Overall, we provide empirical evidence to incentivize business leaders and policymakers to adopt innovative technologies, such as blockchain.

Moritz Böhmecke‐Schwafert, Marie Wehinger, Robin Teigland

Abstract Blockchain is increasingly lauded as an enabler of the transition to a circular economy. While there is considerable conceptual research and some empirical studies on this phenomenon, scholars have yet to develop a theoretical model of blockchain's role in this transition. Grounded in the sustainability transition literature, this paper addresses this gap through the following research question: What role does blockchain play in the transition to a circular economy? Following an abductive approach, we conducted interviews with ground‐level experts implementing blockchain innovations for the circular economy across Europe and the United States. Through a thematic analysis, we derived a theoretical model of the relationships among (1) drivers and barriers of the transition to a circular economy, (2) blockchain innovation for the circular economy, (3) technical challenges of blockchain, and (4) the circular economy. While blockchain plays a moderating role, interviewees considered it only an infrastructural resource rather than a panacea.

Kunle Francis Oguntegbe, Nadia Di Paola, Roberto Vona

Purpose To communicate their sustainability and responsible management practices to the public, firms can leverage digital technologies both at the organisational and managerial levels. This study explores how firms' communications of responsible management contribute to sustainability in supply chains, as well as the role of blockchain in promoting responsible management. Design/methodology/approach Employing a qualitative methodology, the authors perform social media analytics (content analysis and sentiment analysis) on a dataset obtained from the social media posts of managers. Findings The study identifies eight key responsible management practices and shed new light on the role of blockchain in responsible management. The study results contribute to theory by linking responsible management practices with existing sustainability practices in the supply chain. The authors also demonstrate that blockchain enhances responsible management. Research limitations/implications Reliance on publicly available data from social media, comprising corporate statements emanating from managers is a major limitation in this study. Practical implications The eight responsible management practices identified in this study are recommended for managers of different supply chain echelons to promote sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). The study findings also offer new rationale for blockchain adoption in supply chains. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to link the concepts of responsible management and SSCM. Moreover, the authors obtain empirical evidence from managers in the luxury fashion supply chain.

Simone Pizzi, Andrea Caputo, Andrea Venturelli, Fabio Caputo

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate blockchain’s enabling role for sustainability reporting. This study extends the scientific knowledge about the impacts related to the notarisation of mandatory sustainability reports through a publicly available blockchain. Design/methodology/approach Building on the idea journey framework, this paper presents the case study of Banca Mediolanum in Italy, a first-mover who notarised its non-financial declaration on a public blockchain to mitigate the information asymmetries that negatively impact stakeholder engagement. Findings The analysis reveals that the notarisation of the non-financial reports through a publicly available blockchain can represent a tool useful to mitigate the asymmetric information between organisations and stakeholders. Practical implications Although academics and practitioners have observed the benefits of its implementation, only a few companies have adopted blockchain systems to ensure their information’s reliability. The findings underline the opportunity for socially responsible organisations to signal their orientation towards sustainable development through the adoption of an innovative tool. Social implications The proliferation of non-financial reports prepared on mandatory basis mitigated the signalling effects related to the disclosure of non-financial information. The case study underlines the opportunity for socially responsible organisations to overcoming this criticism through notarisation. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study about sustainability reporting practices and blockchain. This research contributes to the currently scarce discussion about the role of blockchain in non-financial reporting. In addition, the authors contribute to the scientific conversation about the need to rethink assurance in non-financial reporting practices.

Lufei Huang, Lu Zhen, Junbin Wang, Xing Zhang

No abstract is available for this record.

Suling Feng, Rong Zhang, Guoxiang Li

No abstract is available for this record.

Kunle Francis Oguntegbe, Nadia Di Paola, Roberto Vona

No abstract is available for this record.

İsmail Erol, İlker Murat Ar, İskender Peker, Cory Searcy

No abstract is available for this record.

Symeon Dionysis, Thomas Chesney, Derek McAuley

Purpose Given the increasing industry interest in blockchain technologies for supply chain management and product traceability, this paper aims to investigate consumer purchasing intentions for blockchain traceable coffee and their psychosocial antecedents, utilising an extended model of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire study of 123 participants was deployed, using two traceability systems (one based on blockchain and one on a more established traceability certification) for organic coffee. Findings Adding variables such as environmental protections, trust and habits significantly increased the predictive power of TPB. The results suggest that attitude, perceived behavioural control and environmental protections drive intentions to purchase blockchain traceable coffee. Research limitations/implications Apart from establishing the factors affecting consumer intentions for blockchain traceable coffee, this study validates the TPB as a model of explaining coffee purchasing intentions and provides evidence of new variables that can significantly increase the model's predictive power. Practical implications The proposed format of presenting traceability information along with the significant variables revealed in our study can function as a guide for designing product features and marketing strategies for blockchain traceable organic coffee. Increasing consumer awareness on product traceability will also play a crucial role in the success of these products. Originality/value This study is the first to explore consumer purchasing intentions for blockchain traceable coffee and establish the psychosocial variables behind them contributing, in that way, to an understudied area in academic literature as well as providing insights for a more consumer-centric design of such products.

Hilde Heim, Caitlan Hopper

The overproduction and overconsumption of textile products has led to a call for systems and behavioural change towards a circular economy. Correct material flows through a circular system are difficult to achieve, but emerging technology may provide some answers. Among these technologies, blockchain, smart tags and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are showing promising solutions. However, adopting technology gives rise to certain challenges. Observing the global trend in digital transformation, this paper investigates the adoption of blockchain and its associated technologies. Through interviews with designers and technology providers, it identifies the challenges specific to the small and medium enterprise sector. It finds a number of areas that require focus – some outside and some within the control of the business owner. These include the need for more effective communication channels between the information systems (IS) sector and fashion industry stakeholders if the digital transformation of the circular economy is to be effective.

Anne-Marthe Rekdal Remme, Stine-Mari Stange, Asle Fagerstrøm, Lester Allan Lasrado

This study explores the relative impact of blockchain-enabled sustainability labeling on consumers purchasing behavior when shopping for fashion products. A conjoint experiment was conducted where participants (n=84) assigned scores to stimuli cards according to preference in a specific shopping scenario. Results showed that “blockchain trademarked” did not have much impact relative to “low price” and “high product rating”. Further analysis showed that “blockchain trademarked” had a relatively stronger impact towards those participants (n=22) who indicated that living a sustainable lifestyle is important. Our findings show that there is a need for educating consumers about blockchain and the associated benefits for improving future transparency in sustainability in the fashion industry. Overall, these findings provide valuable grounds for further research on how blockchain-enabled sustainability labeling can create value for both consumers and companies within the fashion industry.

Geri Cupi

No abstract is available for this record.