Riccardo Tiscini, Silvia Testarmata, Mirella Ciaburri, Emanuele Ferrari
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to strive to close the current research gap pertaining to potential implications of the blockchain (BC) for sustainable business models (SBMs) in the agri-food industry. Design/methodology/approach To answer the research question, the authors utilised the Value Triangle framework by Biloslavo et al. (2018) in order to explore the potential innovation of BC for SBMs in the agri-food industry. Then, the authors apply it to an in-depth exploratory case study of the Placido Volpone winery. The authors draw data from strategic plans, annual reports, corporate website and a semi-structured interview with the winery's founder. Findings The authors show how BC technology could be a source of SBM innovation in the agri-food industry. Research limitations/implications BC technology has the potential to significantly change SBMs. Given the huge set-up investments by the industry, academic research investigating potential implications and supporting companies in their application of BC is needed. This paper explores how the implications of BC as source of innovation on SBMs can be investigated. Practical implications The research results of this study can be used by company leaders and managers to support the development of SBMs through the introduction of BC technology in their business activities. Originality/value The paper is novel because it investigates the relationship between SBM innovation and BC providing theoretical justification to SBM technological innovation in an agri-food setting. Additionally, the paper provides an empirical application of the framework by Biloslavo et al. (2018) for understanding the development of SBM through BC in the agri-food industry.
Érika de Andrade Silva Leal, Márcia Elisa Soares Echeveste, Lia Buarque de Macedo Guimarães, Aline Cafruni Gularte
Goal: This article presents an assessment of the impacts of the “Research in Companies Support Program (PAPPE): Economical Subvention to Innovation”, in the decentralized modality, i.e., projects contracted in the states of the Brazilian federation. Considering the high opportunity cost of the PAPPE program, it was deemed important to evaluate how the financed projects impacted the three dimensions (economic, social and environmental) of sustainable development.
 Methodology: Study was based on literature review on innovation grants; interviews with one Finep technician and technicians from Fapes, Fapesc and Sebrae-PR; and documental research and analysis of 53 projects carried out in the states of Espírito Santo, Paraná and Santa Catarina, from 2009-2013. Descriptive analysis was conducted for comparing performance of the three states.
 Results: Under the economic dimension, the PAPPE program enhanced the ability of funding recipients to compete on a national level. However, there was no evidence of impact on the social and environmental dimensions.
 Limitations of the investigation: This research is restricted to three Brazilian states, chosen due to the homogeneity of project types and the interest of the researchers, with a focus on the state of Espírito Santo.
 Practical implications: Although both social and environmental dimensions are not explicit in the scope of the PAPPE program, the assessment of these dimensions should be included in the design and evaluation of any policy sponsored by public funding, since they are critical to the country.
This paper proposes a conceptual model of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in small and medium enterprises (SME) using blockchain technology (BT). With growing focus on sustainable business process, research on SSCM is gaining prominence. BT, being a disruptive technology, has potential to impact the SSCM. Using the extant literature, the antecedents of SSCM using BT have been identified. Multiple-criteria decision-making has been deployed to develop the conceptual model. Various managerial and theoretical implications along with scope for future research have been discussed.
The purpose of this thesis was to provide information on whether the currency Bitcoin is viable and beneficial for businesses as a payment method or a business model. Interview, customer questionnaire and analysis of Bitcoin services, products and legislation were used to create a better understanding of viability of the currency.\n\nTheoretical part of the thesis explains how Bitcoin and its markets function. Later parts of the theoretical part lays out different services and products that can be built around Bitcoin. The objective of the theoretical part is to give better understanding of the general idea of Bitcoin for readers who are unfamiliar with the subject as it is a new concept.\n\nThe empirical research part of the thesis was conducted with both qualitative and quantitative methods. Methods used were a qualitative theme interview and a quanti-tative customer questionnaire. The theme interview was conducted with a brick and mortar store, which had previously used Bitcoin as a payment method. The interview was conducted over the phone and a planned theme structure was used. The ques-tionnaire was conducted in two different Bitcoin related communities and it was used to find out their previous and planned Bitcoin payment method usage.\n\nTrough empirical research it turned out that Bitcoin retail payment method is not very popular and that it has many problems and disadvantages in its current form. Online payment methods appeared to be more popular among users.\n\nFrom the research it was concluded that Bitcoin online payment methods using mer-chant solution services are viable, when transaction fees and times are at their normal level. Online payment methods involve less investment and risk compared to retail Bitcoin payment methods, which don’t have much demand, require staff training and purchasing and maintaining of separate payment devices. Online payment methods appeared to have some advantages compared to traditional payment methods as well as normally they involve smaller transaction fees when using a Bitcoin merchant ser-vice as opposed to using credit or debit card company payment services. It should be noted that at the end of the research Bitcoin transaction feeds and transaction con-firmation times rose significantly, which temporarily made the business use of the currency mostly untenable.
This article is based on a case study that examines climate change adaptation of food supply chain inthree Finnish inland provinces Central Finland, Pirkanmaa and South Savo. The focus of the study was onfood processing enterprises and their adaptation strategies. For the study, 14 thematic interviews wereconducted and the research data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The persons interviewedwere food entrepreneurs, managers of food enterprises and representatives of trade organizations andexpert organizations. The main research questions addressed in the article are: what kind of threat doesclimate change pose to food enterprises? What kind of adaptation aspects can be identified in the foodchain with respect to food supply chain management? According to the results, adaptation to climate changecan be characterized as reactive or autonomous strategy based on localization and decentralization offood supply chain as well as on regional food systems. We conclude that value-based strategic partnershipsin the food chain could enhance the regions’ adaptive capacity and resilience. Further research onregional impacts of climate change on the supply chain is required to provide decision-makers with morecomprehensive guidance.