Blockchain Technology In Supply Chain Research Articles

Blockchain in general management and economics: a systematic literature review

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a systematic review of the literature addressing blockchain technology (BT) in general management and economics (GME).Design/methodology/approachA systematic literature review methodology is used to collect and analyze the literature.FindingsThree clusters of research are identified, namely, law, economy and innovation. The use of BT in law areas fosters the registration of intellectual property (IP) rights, although conflict between some of BT applications and regulatory frameworks is present. Research on cryptocurrencies is of high interest to the economy today. In the innovation cluster, BT improves security, traceability and transparency in operations over supply chains. However, BT has many technical imperfections that hinder its wide adoption. Furthermore, the need for the full commitment of all business actors complicates its implementation. Research on BT is still at a nascent stage. Conceptual papers dominate the literature (18 theories are discussed). Eight main future research directions are described. For example, the relationship between the use of BT in supply chains and competitive advantage is not established; and quality standards for BT platforms are not developed.Research limitations/implicationsThe review is restricted to academic journals in the fields of GME, which limits the extent of the conclusions.Originality/valueThe paper synthesizes 47 studies published in academic journals, avoiding misleading claims and inaccurate information insofar as possible; and provides a spectrum of descriptive statistics and qualitative meta-synthesis analysis of the current literature.

Blockchain adoption in the supply chain: an appraisal on challenges

PurposeAdoption of blockchain technology (BT) leads to shrinking supply chains, produces a better quality product, saves product development time and increases the customized offering to the customer. Since it is a new and growing area of research, researchers and practitioners are not entirely aware of challenges in the adoption of BT in supply chain (SC). Therefore, the objective of this research is to provide an overview of BT in SC and modeling of challenges in the adoption of BT in SC.Design/methodology/approachInterpretive structural modeling (ISM) is used to model the challenges of adoption of BT in SC. Challenges are identified by the literature review and verified by expert's opinions.FindingsThis study presents some key challenges, i.e. to develop trust within SC management system, obey the governance rules and regulations of institution while implementation of BT in SC, provide transparency of data, obtain tamperproof data to avoid fraud, improve coordination and information sharing among the SC partners, choose a profit-earning product SC for adoption of BT, adopt societal changes and train the participants to strengthen behavioral intention towards adoption of BT in SC. Additionally, interrelationships among the challenges have been identified. This work discusses potential implications based on challenges and provides a platform for the adoption of BT in SC.Originality/valueThe interrelations of the challenges will provide valuable understandings for developing BT solutions in SC to the practitioners.

Architecture to Enhance Transparency in Supply Chain Management using Blockchain Technology

Precise information flow in a supply chain (SC) improves profitability. Distorted information in SC results in coordination and transaction issues that diminish trust between SC partners. The prime objective of the present study is to enhance transparency in SC for both suppliers and consumers and boost legitimate coordination within the SC network using Blockchain Technology (BT). BT is a tool having an open-source, decentralized, and distributed database for storing transaction information. It allows two parties to perform direct transactions using their distributed ledgers without the interference of a centralized third party to achieving more transparent transactions than traditional systems. Consequently, the architecture of BT in SC has been developed based on factors identified from the literature review that leads to offering tracking and monitoring of entire SC. Subsequently, the blockchain architecture has been tested considering transactions between manufacturer, distributor, retailer, and customer to accomplish real-time transparency. Accordingly, it has been observed that transaction errors have been minimized, transparency has been improved in SC of the manufacturing industry using BT. Moreover, this paper provides a productive relationship between BT and SC management.

Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain

The technological changes in recent years have played a major role in changing the rules in business life. After technological innovations such as autonomous tools, the Internet of Things, and industry 4.0, the new issue that has emerged with crypto money today is Blockchain technology. A blockchain technology is a peer-to-peer digital ledger of transactions that may be publicly or privately distributed to all users and therefore is said to be decentralized and distributed. The most important feature that distinguishes block-chain-based technologies from other technologies is that it has a special algorithm without being connected to any center. Therefore, this technology makes a significant difference in supplying fast, secure and accurate information flow among supply chain members. Reducing the costs and time that arise in the supply chain, it provides significant advantages to enterprises such as the transparency of the operations performed. The purpose of this study is; to explain the block chain technology and to contribute to supply chain processes and stakeholders. In this context, the study is considered as literature review. The study is important in terms of contributing to the relevant literature in basic level.

How the blockchain enables and constrains supply chain performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to understand the enabling and constraining roles of blockchain technology (BCT) in managerial work practices and conceptualise the technology–performance relationship in supply chain management (SCM). Design/methodology/approach A structured literature review and a theory-driven approach are used. A set of propositions are developed, suggesting how the use of BCT in supply chains can be understood to simultaneously enable and constrain SCM and performance. Findings The analysis identifies four enabling and three constraining blockchain identities to explain how the technology either “facilitates” or “impedes” SCM and supply chain performance. Traceability, which emanates from its ability to provide data immutability, ranks highly as a core innovation of the technology. The blockchain is mainly seen as an opportunity to exploit existing supply chain resources and competencies. Research limitations/implications One limitation of the research is its conceptual nature. Future research should test the developed propositions empirically. Further research should focus on BCT as an opportunity to explore and as a relationship-building technology. More research is also needed focussing on the complex and simultaneous enabling and constraining effects of BCT in supply chains. Originality/value The paper shows the important and complex Janus-faced implications of embedding BCT in supply chains and demonstrates how organisational theory can be applied to explore the relationship between blockchain and SCM.

Revolutionizing Global Supply Chains One Block at a Time: Growing International Trade with Blockchain: Are International Rules Up to the Task?

There is growing interest in blockchain’s potential to transform the logistics of international trade through its application to supply chains to increase efficiencies and minimize vulnerabilities. Yet for blockchain to truly transport supply chains on a global scale, laws and regulations that facilitate and support its implementation are required. This article explores potential regulatory barriers to the development of blockchain technology in supply chains and asks whether there is a role for international trade rules to address these barriers.