Entire Value Chain Research Articles

Hydrogen plays a central role in ensuring the fulfillment of the climate and energy goals established in the Paris Agreement. To implement sustainable and resilient hydrogen economies, it is essential to analyze the entire hydrogen value chain, following a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. To determine the current methodologies, approaches, and research tendencies adopted when performing LCA of hydrogen energy systems, a systematic literature analysis is carried out in the present study. The choices regarding the “goal and scope definition”, “life cycle inventory analysis”, and “life cycle impact assessment” in 70 scientific papers were assessed. Based on the collected information, it was concluded that there are no similar LCA studies, since specificities introduced in the system boundaries, functional unit, production, storage, transportation, end-use technologies, geographical specifications, and LCA methodological approaches, among others, introduce differences among studies. This lack of harmonization triggers the need to define harmonization protocols that allow for a fair comparison between studies; otherwise, the decision-making process in the hydrogen energy sector may be influenced by methodological choices. Although initial efforts have been made, their adoption remains limited, and greater promotion is needed to encourage wider implementation.

Grain amaranth remains a neglected and underutilized indigenous food crop (IFC) despite its diverse accessions in sub-Saharan Africa. This is in comparison with a few cereal crops providing carbohydrates and other nutrients, especially in southern Africa. Grain amaranth, a pseudocereal crop, is resilient to climate variability or change that has plagued southern Africa with frequent droughts, food and nutrition insecurity. The region experiences semi-arid to arid conditions and poor soil fertility which severely affect cereal crop production. These challenges demand an increase in cereal crops that are adaptable to local environments and amenable to processing methods to preserve food for the lean periods. One such IFC is grain amaranth which is adapted to many conditions and has a potential to be utilized in food, cosmetic, computer and pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this review was to describe the status of grain amaranth in terms of research and development with respect to production, nutritional benefits, processing and/or preservation, utilization and seed systems. Southern Africa was the focus of this review due to the prevalence of acute human hunger in this region and limitations in cereal crop production. The results show that grain amaranth on-farm or commercial production and seed systems are scarce in southern Africa. Field trials have shown wide grain yield variations between accessions although this provides an opportunity to select high yielding accessions. There are a few studies on drought tolerance to select accessions exhibiting this trait. Available processing methods show potential to add value to amaranth grain products and enable preservation, but this has not been fully exploited to benefit end users. A good seed system is needed to foster quality assurance and seed accessibility to potential growers. Increasing investments in research and development with farmers’ participation in the entire value chain would promote wider grain amaranth cultivation, processing and subsequent utilization. There is a need to test and develop grain amaranth accessions that are resilient to arid and frequent drought conditions and amenable to processing and preservation to improve cereal crop base, food and nutrition security in southern Africa.

The article assesses the complexity of logistics features and transport management in the context of the scientific literature and discusses the possibilities of ensuring effective transport management within the value chain. It aims to explain the implications of piloting empirical ANOVA using the guanxi (Chinese interpersonal relationships) principles in transport logistics supply chain and value chain issues in loads transportation in deciding to cooperate internationally, and to analyse and empirically substantiate the behaviour characteristics expressed while managing negotiations with business partners in the logistics market. Analytical, descriptive, quantitative and statistical research methods were applied. A quantitative research strategy was used in the case of China (n = 100) to clarify the behaviour characteristics expressed in negotiation management towards business partners in the logistics supply chain. The research revealed a holistic picture of how transport management improvements can positively affect the overall efficiency of the entire value chain. Besides, it used the assessments of the research participants to ascertain possible ways to ensure transport management in the value chain. The data analysis showed that it is relevant to change habitual behaviour towards business partners during negotiations to predict the possibilities of ensuring transport management in the value chain and secure a competitive advantage in the logistics market. The study found that the focus is on building and maintaining formal relationships with business partners and creating long-term, close relationships. Self-interest is the least desired characteristic in negotiation management. Based on statistical data analysis, the behaviour of respondents towards business partners during negotiations in the logistics market is similar, i.e. it does not differ statistically significantly by gender, age, work experience and education. The strategies applied in negotiation management are statistically significantly related to the positions held by the respondents. A correlation analysis found negative statistically significant relationships between the indicator of the subscale for creating long-term close relationships, the indicator of the subscale for strategies applied for negotiation management, and the indicator of the subscale for creating formal relationships during negotiations. The study results provided valuable insights into the operation and dynamics of the Chinese supply chain, especially emphasising the importance of logistics characteristics. It will have lasting value in the scientific discussion by providing guidelines for implementing transportation management in the value chain. Furthermore, the study’s results can be easily extrapolated to other contexts to optimally predict the possibilities of transportation management in the value chain by applying the practices in the logistics supply chain based on the Chinese case.

Against the backdrop of a rapidly expanding digital economy, digital transformation has become an imperative for traditional enterprises seeking to enhance their competitiveness and ensure sustainable development. Employing literature review and case study methodologies, this research investigates the driving forces, core pathways, and challenges inherent to this transformation. Using the Midea Group as a primary case, the findings indicate that a successful transformation requires a clear strategic vision, a systematic overhaul of the entire value chain, a focus on users central value creation, and supportive organizational. Furthermore, policy support plays a crucial role in mitigating risks and optimizing resource allocation. This study not only enriches the theoretical framework of digital transformation but also offers a practical, transferable pathway for other traditional enterprises.

Abstract In sub-Saharan African countries, the maize crop is a major staple food crop, providing up to 70% of the population’s total caloric intake. Aflatoxins, toxic secondary metabolites primarily produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus , pose significant threats to food safety, public health, and agricultural economies in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where maize is a staple crop. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms of aflatoxin production and its management within maize cropping systems of SSA. The occurrence and severity of aflatoxin contamination are influenced by multiple factors, including high temperatures, drought stress, insect damage, poor post-harvest handling, and inadequate storage conditions. Maize has been linked to being contaminated by roughly eighteen (18) different forms of aflatoxins, which are severely poisonous, and contribute to public health issues. The review explores the biological and environmental triggers of aflatoxin biosynthesis, highlighting molecular pathways and fungal-host interactions. Additionally, it evaluates integrated management strategies encompassing host resistance, good agricultural practices, biocontrol agents (such as Aflasafe ), proper harvesting, drying, and storage techniques. Socio-economic and institutional barriers to effective aflatoxin control are also discussed, along with policy and research recommendations. The review also emphasizes on the necessity to apply novel and existing techniques to prevent aflatoxin. The study featured the need for a multidisciplinary and region-specific approach to sustainably mitigate aflatoxin risks in SSA. Best bet recommendations are provided given different levels of scenarios at the farmer, farm plot, maize farming systems, and eventually the nodes across the entire maize value chain.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally reshaping the food processing industry by optimising operations across the entire value chain, from raw material sourcing to final distribution. This transformative impact is evident in areas such as production efficiency, stringent quality control, streamlined packaging, and enhanced distribution networks. For the Nigerian food processing sector to fully leverage these substantial benefits, a collaborative effort among all stakeholders is imperative to accelerate AI integration. While some pioneering Nigerian food processors have initiated AI adoption, the sector has barely begun to tap into AI's vast potential. The applications of AI in food processing are extensive, offering numerous advantages to the industry. However, significant obstacles impede the widespread adoption of AI in Nigeria. These challenges include a scarcity of skilled technical expertise in AI and data science, inadequate access to essential infrastructure like reliable internet connectivity and robust data storage solutions, concerns regarding data privacy and security, and the considerable initial investment costs associated with AI technologies. Despite these hurdles, the Nigerian food processing industry stands to gain immensely from AI. Government initiatives, strategic academic-industrial partnerships, and improved access to funding are crucial for cultivating an environment conducive to AI adoption. Through strategic investment in AI, Nigeria's food processing sector can significantly enhance its domestic competitiveness and solidify its position as a key participant in the global food market. This review therefore explores the diverse applications of AI in food processing, alongside the advantages, opportunities, and challenges specific to the Nigerian food processing sector.

Abstract Chalcogenide-based semiconductors have advanced from laboratory curiosities to multifunctional platforms that now underpin water purification, gas conversion, sensor technology and solar-driven fuel generation. Recent surveys have examined these themes in isolation, concentrating either on photocatalysis or on single pollutant classes. The present review offers the first integrative analysis that links adsorption forces, band edge engineering and catalytic kinetics across the entire environmental value chain, drawing on multiple primary studies published between 2016 and 2025. Emphasis is placed on less explored selenides and tellurides, on stability-limiting photocorrosion pathways, and on the life-cycle and toxicity constraints that determine industrial viability. A unified set of activity units and performance descriptors is used to compare adsorption affinities, degradation quantum yields, gas reduction Faradaic efficiencies and sensor detection limits, thereby exposing the trade-offs that guide material selection. The review further distils how defect engineering, heterojunction construction, and cocatalyst loading simultaneously enhance charge separation, enlarge surface basicity and prolong catalyst lifetimes, with case studies that translate these principles into pilot-scale photoreactors and Internet of things (IoT)-enabled sensor arrays. By situating chalcogenides within a broader sustainability framework that includes green synthesis and end-of-life recovery, this article provides a comprehensive roadmap for researchers and engineers aiming to deploy these materials in next-generation environmental and renewable energy technologies. Graphical abstract

The Software as a Service (SaaS) industry, for two decades a paragon of predictable growth and scalability, has arrived at a critical inflection point. The model that propelled the cloud revolution—built on centralized computing, subscription economics, and standardized user interfaces—has reached a plateau of maturity, yet also one of vulnerability. Beneath the placid surface of quarterly revenue growth, tectonic pressures have been accumulating: feature bloat rendering products cumbersome; the inexorable rise of customer acquisition costs turning marketing into an arms race; and, most critically, a fundamental misalignment between the uniform nature of the product and the unique exigencies of each customer. It is at this juncture of incipient crisis that Artificial Intelligence enters not merely as another technological increment, but as a foundational force poised to catalyze a paradigm shift comparable in scale to the transition from on-premise software to the cloud itself. We are witnessing not an evolution, but a revolution: a departure from SaaS as we have known it toward a new era of intelligent, proactive, and profoundly personalized cloud platforms. This monograph was born from the observation that the extant discourse on AI in SaaS is perilously fragmented. On one hand, one finds deeply technical treatises, inaccessible to strategists and business leaders. On the other, a deluge of superficial commentary reduces the profound complexities of this transformation to a mere recitation of buzzwords. There has been a palpable need for a unified, analytical work that connects the technological underpinnings to their strategic consequences—a bridge between the code and the market, the architecture and the business model. The objective of this book is to fill that void. It is not a technical manual for data scientists, nor is it a collection of futuristic prognostications for the C-suite. It is, rather, an academic inquiry, an attempt to analyze and synthesize the *mechanisms* of the transformation unfolding before us. The central thesis of this work is that Artificial Intelligence is not a set of features to be appended to an existing product; it is a new, fundamental layer that permeates the entire SaaS stack, altering everything from how code is written and user experiences are designed to the methods of pricing, operational efficiency, and the very nature of competition. This book is intended for the four key constituencies at the vanguard of this transformation: For SaaS founders and product leaders, it is designed to be a strategic map, helping not only to navigate the new competitive pressures but also to identify unique opportunities for creating next-generation products. For investors, it offers an analytical framework for re-evaluating traditional metrics and identifying the true leaders of the new era who can build durable moats in a world where old advantages are rapidly eroding. For enterprise executives and CIOs, it serves as a decision-making guide, explaining how to distinguish genuine AI innovation from marketing hype and how to strategically adopt intelligent SaaS solutions to achieve a real competitive advantage. For researchers and students of software engineering and technology management, it systematizes the current state of the industry and identifies promising frontiers for future scholarly investigation. The journey undertaken within these pages traverses the entire SaaS value chain—from rethinking the fundamentals of AI in the context of cloud architectures to analyzing new ethical and regulatory imperatives. We will begin with foundational concepts, proceed to the transformation of product development and customer experience, explore new business models and operational paradigms, and finally, assess the future of the competitive landscape.

KENNEDY MANDUNA advocates for a broader understanding of the ASM sector, encompassing all downstream and upstream activities and participants involved throughout its entire value chain. This article is the outcome of a webinar titled 'Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Africa' hosted by the Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Southern Africa and the Institute for African Alternatives.

HERA was established in 2021 as a key pillar of the European Health Union with the aim of strengthening the EU's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond rapidly to serious cross-border health threats. Born from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, HERA plays a central role in ensuring the development, availability, accessibility, and equitable distribution of medical countermeasures (MCMs)-including vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and personal protective equipment-across the entire value chain. HERA operates across the full preparedness and response cycle. In the preparedness phase, it conducts intelligence gathering, threat assessments, and maps MCM availability and needs, while supporting research, innovation, manufacturing, and procurement. During crises, HERA and its Health Crisis Board play a key role in the EU's health emergency response by coordinating MCM procurement, monitoring, and deployment from EU strategic reserves, fostering research, and activating mechanisms such as the EU FAB network. HERA's governance structure includes: (a) the HERA Board-composed of Commission experts and senior Member State representatives-which sets strategic objectives; and (b) the HERA Advisory Forum, a technical body of national experts providing advice. These are supported by the Joint Industrial Cooperation Forum (e.g. vaccine manufacturers) and the CSF (e.g. patient associations, scientific societies relevant to HERA's scope, NGOs). EUPHA has participated in the closed sessions of the CSF HERA since its inception, in the concerted collaboration effort to coalesce for strategic alignment across EU MS, EU agencies, international partners, academia, industry, and civil society- and for fostering research through EU4Health, Horizon Europe, and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, and coordinating capacity-building and preparedness exercises.Speakers/PanellistsMaria GańczakDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University of Zielona Gora, Zielona Gora, PolandDimitra LingriNational Organization for Health Care Services Provision/Lawyer, Athens Greece, GreeceNeville CallejaDepartment of Health Information and Research, G'Mangia, Malta

Previous studies have demonstrated the potential benefit of a future hydrogen economy in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. The hydrogen leakage rate and the green hydrogen fraction in the mix were identified as key factors in maximising the climate benefit of this energy transition. This study highlights the importance of blue hydrogen production hypotheses for a climate-beneficial transition to a hydrogen economy. The benefits are substantial when blue hydrogen is produced properly using an efficient CO₂ sequestration hydrogen production plant and minimizing the rate of upstream CH₄ leakage. The rate of hydrogen leakage remains an important parameter to consider throughout the entire value chain. Based on various scenarios of the development of a 21st century hydrogen economy, we estimate significant CO₂ emission reductions of 266–418 GtCO₂eq (up to 395–675 GtCO2eq in the case of a “high hydrogen demand” scenario) between 2030 and 2100. This cumulative reduction in CO₂ emissions translates into a reduction in global warming of 0.12–0.19 °C (0.18–0.30 °C for a “high hydrogen demand”) by the end of the century.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-18765-6.

Investors demand carbon damage risk compensation in China

The aim of this study is to analyze the representation of geological, mining, processing, and environmental processes in platform Minecraft. Based on a methodological comparison of in-platform mechanics with technological and geoscientific procedures, the article assesses the degree of accuracy, simplification, and didactic applicability of individual processes related to the extraction and use of mineral resources. The analysis is structured into seven main thematic areas covering the entire resource value chain—from geological exploration through mining, ore beneficiation and processing, to quantitative indicators (e.g., waste-to-ore ratio), fluid resources, and environmental impacts. Special attention is given to the potential of modifications that significantly enhance the complexity and accuracy of simulated processes. The results show that Minecraft, enriched with thematic mods, can serve as an accessible and flexible tool for the popularization and education of industrial and geoscientific processes, while engaging a wide range of audiences.

As telecommunications operators are evolving digitally using cloud-native architectures (also known as cloudification), cost optimization of the cloud has become a key enabler of success. This paper proposes a pragmatic framework for cost optimization for telecom cloud deployments, given the technical and organizational complexity of operating in dynamic, multi-cloud environments. In the research, cloud economics is defined for telecom and considers unique telecom features such as usage-based billing, hybrid deployments, and the overarching network-centric architecture that leads to unique cost structures. Systemic challenges are further discussed in the paper, including overprovisioning of resources, price opacity, and siloed governance across the entire value chain, to help identify potential cost optimization strategies across the telecom cloud lifecycle. A thorough discussion of strategic cost optimization strategies now follows incorporating best practices, such as rightsizing, spot instances, auto-scaling, FinOps, and intelligent placement of workloads. These strategies will be put in to context through various representations, including a taxonomy (graph) of cloud cost components and a workload to cloud instance mapping table that will employ the telecom context. In addition, this paper proposes a comprehensive optimization framework based on actual implementations and automated implementation with a hybrid of predictive analytics, policy-based governance and algorithmic modeling. We assess the emerging trends (like the interaction of AI, 5G network slicing, telco edge computing, and blockchain-based billing) that will change the cost optimization paradigm in the future telecoms landscape. We reference the AWS Well-Architected Framework and cloud-native observability tooling to turn strategy into actionable implementation steps that can scale. In the end, this paper shows that cost optimization is more than an auxiliary function in telecom operations; it is a competence in its own right. Cost optimization is core to maintaining financial sustainability, competitive agility and assurance of performance in modern telecoms operations.

This review critically examines the entire value chain of microalgal biorefineries, with the central aim of elucidating the key technological, economic, and environmental enablers and barriers that govern their transition from pilot-scale demonstrations to commercially viable, circular-economy applications. A systematic literature search was conducted across five major scientific databases using predefined Boolean strings: "algal biorefineries," "microalgae biofuel," "techno-economic analysis," "life-cycle assessment," and "bioproduct recovery." Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed studies and authoritative policy documents published between January 2007 and March 2025 that provided empirical data on upstream cultivation, midstream processing, and downstream conversion, as well as techno-economic assessments (TEA) and life-cycle analyses (LCA). Exclusion criteria included non-English commentaries, purely theoretical models without experimental validation, and studies that focused exclusively on single-product streams. Unlike previous reviews that address isolated segments of the algal biorefinery pipeline, this work delivers a novel, integrative framework that synthesizes recent advances across cultivation modes, genetic and metabolic engineering, AI-enabled optimization, and IoT-driven monitoring. This review critically evaluates the trade-offs between CAPEX and OPEX, energy penalties associated with harvesting and drying, and inconsistencies in LCA to identify, where performance improvements yield the most significant economic and environmental returns. Finally, this review proposes a targeted research roadmap, spanning multivariate strain engineering, hybrid cultivation architectures, low-energy harvesting technologies, cascade-compatible fractionation platforms, standardized LCA/TEA protocols, and supportive policy mechanisms, that charts a clear path toward overcoming current bottlenecks. This comprehensive, evidence-based synthesis aims to inform both academic research and industrial strategy, thereby advancing the field of sustainable algal biorefineries.

African agribusiness ecosystems are increasingly threatened by the multifaceted impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and frequent extreme weather events. These disruptions pose significant risks to food security, rural livelihoods, and sustainable development across the continent. This paper explores integrated strategies for enhancing climate resilience in African agribusiness, drawing on resilience theory and systems thinking as guiding conceptual frameworks. It synthesizes current developments in climate-smart agriculture (CSA), the role of indigenous knowledge systems, regional carbon market mechanisms, and the need for improved policy coherence. The study draws from a wide range of empirical literature, regional initiatives, and policy documents, including the African Union Commission’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032), to examine how scientific innovations, traditional practices, financial instruments, and inclusive governance can contribute to sustainable adaptation. Emphasis is placed on the active participation of women and youth, equitable access to resources, and the transformation of entire agrifood value chains. The findings suggest that the adoption of CSA and other resilience strategies remains uneven due to structural and institutional barriers. However, opportunities exist to scale successful models through enhanced coordination, policy alignment, and investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and knowledge platforms. The paper concludes by proposing strategic policy pathways and practical recommendations to support the transformation of agribusiness ecosystems into resilient and inclusive systems capable of withstanding current and future climate risks.

Aquaculture has become an essential contributor to global food security, yet its rapid expansion presents significant challenges, including disease outbreaks, environmental degradation, and feed inefficiency. Biotechnology offers transformative solutions across the entire aquaculture value chain ranging from upstream breeding and health management to downstream processing and product safety. This review examines the strategic role of biotechnological innovations in enhancing sustainability, productivity, and resilience in aquaculture systems. Key upstream applications include selective breeding, marker-assisted selection (MAS), recombinant DNA vaccines, and probiotic-supplemented feeds, all of which have demonstrated substantial improvements in growth rates, feed conversion, and disease resistance. In midstream operations, molecular diagnostics (e.g., qPCR, LAMP) and enzyme-assisted processing technologies ensure product quality and safety. Downstream, innovations such as biosensor-based cold chain monitoring, value-added probiotic fish products, and DNA-based traceability cater to evolving consumer demands and regulatory standards. The integration of emerging tools—such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, RNA interference, metagenomics, and nanotechnology—further strengthens the aquaculture sector's capacity to adapt to climate stress and global market needs. Overall, this review highlights biotechnology as a pivotal enabler of sustainable intensification in aquaculture and underscores the need for policy support, technological accessibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration to realize its full potential.

Hydrogen produced from renewable sources has the potential to tackle various energy challenges, from allowing cost-effective transportation of renewable energy from production to consumption regions to decarbonizing intensive energy consumption industries. Due to its application versatility and non-greenhouse gaseous emissions characteristics, it is expected that hydrogen will play an important role in the decarbonization strategies set out for 2050. Currently, there are some barriers and challenges that need to be addressed to fully take advantage of the opportunities associated with hydrogen. The present work aims to characterize the state of the art of different hydrogen production, storage, transport, and distribution technologies, which compose the hydrogen value chain. Based on the information collected it was possible to conclude the following: (i) Electrolysis is the frontrunner to produce green hydrogen at a large scale (efficiency up to 80%) since some of the production technologies under this category have already achieved a commercially available state; (ii) in the storage phase, various technologies may be suitable based on specific conditions and purposes. Technologies of the physical-based type are the ones mostly used in real applications; (iii) transportation and distribution options should be viewed as complementary rather than competitive, as the most suitable option varies based on transportation distance and hydrogen quantity; and (iv) a single value chain configuration cannot be universally applied. Therefore, each case requires a comprehensive analysis of the entire value chain. Methodologies, like life cycle assessment, should be utilized to support the decision-making process.

The effects of changes in China’s final demand structure on its forestry sector and associated supply chains have not been thoroughly examined. This study aims to provide a detailed analysis of the quantitative relationships and underlying mechanisms between these interactive changes. Using China’s 153-sector input–output tables from the National Bureau of Statistics and applying a Leontief-based input–output model, we conducted scenario simulations through three distinct schemes, generating both quantitative and qualitative results. Our findings indicate that (1) For China’s forestry sector and its entire value chain to thrive, policymakers should boost consumer demand. This can better stimulate the development of forestry and the “agriculture-forestry-animal husbandry-fishery services” sector and related service industries; (2) Increased investment demand effectively stimulates the development of tertiary industries and secondary industries within the forestry supply chain and boosts the demand and production of intermediate products; (3) Changes in net exports have a significant impact on forestry and the forestry industry chain. To reduce dependence on foreign timber resources, China should strategically expand commercial plantation development; (4) Regarding intermediate product production, investment has a more pronounced effect on increasing total volume compared to consumption. Additionally, the Sino–US tariff disputes negatively impact the forestry industries of both countries. China needs to accelerate import substitution strategies for timber products, adjust international trade markets, and expand domestic consumption and investment to ensure the healthy and stable development of its forestry sector.

The rapid digital transformation of the sports industry has opened up unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, transparency, and innovation. Traditional transaction models still suffer from significant challenges, including centralized control, lack of trust, and inefficiencies in revenue distribution. These issues often stem from reliance on intermediaries that introduce risks such as data manipulation, high operational costs, and delays in processing financial transactions. Blockchain technology presents a promising solution by enabling decentralized, secure, and transparent transactions, fostering greater trust among all stakeholders within the sports ecosystem. Existing approaches to digital transactions in the sports industry primarily depend on centralized financial institutions and third-party service providers, which not only limit transparency but also create barriers to financial inclusivity for athletes, clubs, sponsors, and fans. To address these critical limitations, we propose a blockchain-based digital transaction model that leverages smart contracts and distributed ledger technology (DLT) to enhance the efficiency, security, and fairness of transactions across the entire sports industry value chain. Our model integrates key economic principles with advanced network analysis to optimize revenue distribution, mitigate fraudulent activities, and enable real-time transaction verification. Through extensive simulations and empirical analysis, our results demonstrate a significant improvement in transaction speed, cost reduction, and overall transparency compared to conventional models. By decentralizing financial transactions, the proposed approach not only enhances financial inclusivity for all participants but also aligns with the broader vision of sustainable and equitable growth in the digital sports economy.