Blockchain and supply chain relations: A transaction cost theory perspective

Unlocking the potential of blockchain technology in enhancing the fisheries supply chain: an exploration of critical adoption barriers in China

The application of blockchain technology holds significant potential for improving efficiency, resilience, and transparency within the Fisheries Supply Chain (FSC). This study addresses the critical barriers hindering the adoption of blockchain technology (BT) in the Chinese FSC, recognizing the unique challenges posed by its intricacies. Through a comprehensive literature review, fourteen Critical Barrier Factors (CBFs) were identified, and a grey Delphi method was employed to distill this set. Five pivotal CBFs emerged, including "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network". A subsequent grey Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis revealed the causal relationships among these factors, categorizing them into effect and cause groups. "Regulatory Compliance," "Cost of Implementation," and "Complex Supply Chain Network" were identified as primary influencing factors demanding attention for effective BT integration in the FSC. The findings serve as a valuable resource for FSC stakeholders, assisting in prioritizing efforts to address these barriers. The discerned causal relationships provide guidance for managers in optimizing resource allocation. Ultimately, this research advocates for the adoption of blockchain technology in the fisheries supply chain to enhance overall performance and operational efficiency.

The improvement of block chain technology simulation in supply chain management (case study: pesticide company)

This research was conducted on industrial agriculture in Indonesia. Risk analysis was carried out based on previous research. One source of risk was obtained, namely raw materials that did not meet specifications, which was then proposed to be mitigated by evaluating supplier performance. This activity involves a lot of data, requiring efficient and effective data storage and access. The level in the simulation layout includes analysing system needs, using problem diagrams, compiling activity diagrams, deciding subprocesses, and filtering information. The analysis is carried out by comparing the use of supply chains with Blockchain and without Blockchain, which is then obtained to determine whether there is an increase. A sequentially stored data scenario describes a situation when the transaction process is in progress and is stored sequentially according to the process that occurs. Storing data in groups explains a problem when a transaction has been completed and stored in groups with similar data, making it easier to track specific data. In this regard, a simulation will be carried out using a website, namely a blockchain demo. The design stage starts with identifying system requirements, creating use case diagrams, compiling activity diagrams, determining subprocesses, and selecting information. The simulation results obtained will be analysed to determine the feasibility of Blockchain as a means of supporting risk mitigation related to data using aspects, including security, trust, traceability, sustainability, and costs.

Digital economy and inclusive green growth: The moderating effect of government environmental regulation

As digital economy flourishes, there have been fundamental changes in the patterns of economic development, social structure, and ecological environment, which are the key elements of inclusive green growth (IGG). However, whether digital economy can effectively contribute to IGG requires further investigation. This paper evaluates the direct and spatial spillover effect of digital economy on IGG of 280 cities in China during 2011-2019 using Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). It further explores how government environmental regulation (GER) moderates this facilitating effect. The empirical results show that digital economy significantly reinforces IGG while GER weakens the benefits of digital economy to IGG. There is a significant spatial spillover effect of digital economy on IGG in neighboring regions; specifically, IGG in peripheral cities is more significantly encouraged by digital economy than in central cities. In addition, digital development demonstrates the most significant impact on IGG in central regions of China, followed by the eastern regions, with western regions lagging behind. This paper contributes theoretically and empirically to promote digital economy selectively for IGG in different regions and provides a guideline for policymakers to achieve IGG through proper GER.

VaccineChain: A checkpoint assisted scalable blockchain based secure vaccine supply chain with selective revocation

In the present era of the pandemic, vaccination is necessary to prevent severe infectious diseases, i.e., COVID-19. Specifically, vaccine safety is strongly linked to global health and security. However, the main concerns regarding vaccine record forgery and counterfeiting of vaccines are still common in the traditional vaccine supply chains. The conventional vaccine supply chains do not have proper authentication among all supply chain entities. Blockchain technology is an excellent contender to resolve the issues mentioned above. Although, blockchain based vaccine supply chains can potentially satisfy the objectives and functions of the next-generation supply chain model. However, its integration with the supply chain model is still constrained by substantial scalability and security issues. So, the current blockchain technology with traditional Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus is incompatible with the next-generation vaccine supply chain framework. This paper introduces a model named "VaccineChain" - a novel checkpoint-assisted scalable blockchain based secure vaccine supply chain. VaccineChain guarantees the complete integrity and immutability of vaccine supply records to combat counterfeited vaccines over the supply chain. The dynamic consensus algorithm with various validating difficulty levels supports the efficient scalability of VaccineChain. Moreover, VaccineChain includes anonymous authentication among entities to provide selective revocation. This work also consists of a use case example of a secure vaccine supply chain using checkpoint assisted scalable blockchain with customized transaction generation-rule and smart contracts to demonstrate the application of VaccineChain. The comprehensive security analysis with standard theoretical proofs ensures the computational infeasibility of VaccineChain. Further, the detailed performance analysis with test simulations shows the practicability of VaccineChain.

The impact of supply chain management on a company's operation and decision based on the multidimensional data analysis of upstream and downstream industry market states

This study provides data analysis support for the entire enterprise procurement management process, thereby improving the management effectiveness of supply chain operations. It analyzes upstream and downstream industry market status data in the supply chain and various primary data in enterprise management activities. By utilizing the Delphi method to screen and verify multimode market status data indicators, which significantly impact upstream and downstream industries in multiple rounds, 28 types of market status data were selected for analysis. This analysis aimed to investigate the effect of supply chain management on operational decisions within the company. The data reduction method based on adaptive statistics was the most effective in revealing the market status and promoting efficient operation decision-making based on supply chain management. This study also suggests a brand-new technique for measuring supply chain performance based on the Levenberg-Marquardt Back Propagation (LMBP) algorithm, offering a more impartial manner of doing so. The performance evaluation results showed a maximum error level of less than 0.4% when paired with empirical analysis. The proposed optimization model provides strategic guidance for optimizing supply chain management and improving overall performance.

Blockchain-enabled supply chain operations and financing: the perspective of expectancy theory

Purpose

This study examines the cognitive factors of adopting blockchain technology in various supply chain scenarios and its role in reframing the distinctive values of supply chain financing. Based on expectancy theory, this study explores the different profiles underlying the components of expectancy, valence and instrumentality.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a multiple-case study of four Fintech companies using blockchain technology to promote the performance of supply chain operations and financing.

Findings

The results show that blockchain-enabled supply chain finance (BSCF) can be classified into four scenarios based on the scope and purpose of blockchain technology applications. The success of BSCF depends on the profiles of BSCF expectancy (the recognized purpose and scope of BSCF), instrumentality (identified blockchain attributes and other technology combinations) and valence (the perceived distinctive value of BSCF). Blockchain attributes help solve information asymmetry problems and enhance financing performance in two ways: one is supporting transparency, traceability and verification of transmissions and the other entails facilitating a transformation to new business models.

Originality/value

This research applies a new perspective based on expectancy theory to study how cognitive factors affect Fintech companies' blockchain solutions under a given supply chain operation or financing activity. It explains the behavioral antecedents for applying blockchain technology, the situations appropriate for the different roles of blockchain technology and the profiles for realizing the value of blockchain technology.

A bibliometric study on blockchain-based supply chain: a theme analysis, adopted methodologies, and future research agenda

The emergence of the underlying blockchain technology of bitcoin has gained extensive attention from researchers and practitioners. As distributed ledger technology, blockchain widely finds its applications in the supply chain to mitigate issues related to transparency, information sharing, process efficiency, and traceability. This study employed a knowledge-based visualization technique to create a vision beyond other review studies on the blockchain-based supply chain. We used bibliometric and network analysis to synthesize the previous literature. In total, 431 articles in the timespan of 2017 to April 2022 from Scopus and Web of Science (WOS) databases were analyzed after applying search string, inclusion, and exclusion criteria. Basic information was extracted from initial data screening; then, data was analyzed on the grounds of co-occurrence, bibliographic coupling, citation, co-authorship, and co-citation analysis. In addition, thematic analysis was performed to analyze the content of the previous studies, adopted research methods, and dynamic industries in the literature. Besides all these, we identified various research gaps and proposed research directions for future study. We believe that this study provides adequate knowledge to academic scholars and supply chain practitioners to fast-track the current research in the supply chain domain using blockchain technology.

The role of blockchain-enabled supply chain applications in improving supply chain performance: the case of Jordanian manufacturing sector

Purpose

Blockchain technology has the potential to enhance information and knowledge management among members of the supply chain. This study aims to demonstrate the direct and indirect impact of blockchain adoption on achieving supply chain competitive advantage and improving innovation capabilities to achieve greater supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study opted for a quantitative research approach. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 284 respondents from various Jordanian manufacturing firms. Smart PLS software was used to conduct structural equation modelling to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The analysis revealed that investing in and using blockchain-enabled supply chain applications improves the ability to achieve higher levels of productivity, lead times, customer service and relationships with supply chain members. Moreover, blockchain technology integration with supply chain management processes has a positive impact on innovative activities that support supply chain operations. Finally, blockchain adoption has enhanced supply chain performance by reducing transaction costs, improving customer service and increasing the speed of supply chain operations.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides guidance for decision-makers and academicians on the use of blockchain adoption to improve supply chain performance. Future studies should use a larger sample size and random sampling techniques to achieve better generalizability of the results.

Originality/value

The study fulfils an identified gap in the application of blockchain technology to improving supply chain performance within a broader context that encompasses supply chain innovation capabilities and competitive advantage.

Green, resilient, agile, and sustainable fresh food supply chain enablers: evidence from India

The existing research on fresh food supply chains (FFSC) sustainability consisting of fur fundamental pillars, namely green (G), resilient (R), agile (A), and sustainability (S) (hereafter GRAS), is explored sparsely and needs thorough investigation. Further, conceptualization and mutual interactions among GRAS enablers that can help perpetuate sustainable supply chains (SSC) still need to be addressed. This study proposes a methodological framework to evaluate the SCS from the perspective of GRAS enablers with an application for the Indian FFSC. A mixed-method sequential approach was used with interviews followed by integrated fuzzy interpretive structural modelling-decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (FISM-DEMATEL) techniques. The study recognizes twenty supply chain sustainability (SCS) enablers through an extensive literature review and discussions with the expert group. The research discloses that the firms' 'organization culture' acts as the most powerful driver in achieving sustainability in FFSC, followed by the firms' 'environmental certification program' and 'financial strength.' This investigation helps the managers/policymakers of the Indian FFSC to ascertain and comprehend the most significant SCS enablers to achieve sustainability in the supply chain (SC). The causation of SCS enablers supports the managers in systematically focusing on the most significant enablers and working towards their successful implementation. According to our knowledge, this is the first scholarly work that establishes hierarchies and interrelationships among GRAS enablers, thereby providing a holistic picture to decision-makers while adapting such practices.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10479-023-05176-x.

Collaborative adoption of blockchain technology: A supply chain contract perspective

The outbreak of COVID-19 has significantly affected the development of enterprises. In the post-pandemic era, blockchain technology has become one of the important technologies to help enterprises quickly gain market competitiveness. The heavy investment required of supply chain stakeholders to employ blockchain technology has hindered its adoption and application. To tackle this issue, this study aims to facilitate the adoption of blockchain technology in a supply chain consisting of a core enterprise and a small/medium-sized enterprise through an effective supply chain contract. We analyze the performance of a cost-sharing (CS) contract and a revenue-sharing (RS) contract and propose a new hybrid CS-RS contract for better performance. We conduct comparative analyses of the three contracts and find that the hybrid CS-RS contract can more effectively incentivize both parties to reach the highest level of blockchain technology adoption and achieve supply chain coordination.

Coffee producers’ perspectives of blockchain technology in the context of sustainable global value chains

Transparency and equitability are key for improved sustainability outcomes in global value chains. Blockchain technology has been touted as a tool for achieving these ends. However, due to the limited empirical evidence, claims on transparency and sustainability benefits are largely theoretical. We lack an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks for upstream actors within global value chains and how this affects technology adoption. Addressing this gap, we conduct an empirical study to identify the drivers and obstacles for coffee producers in Colombia in adopting blockchain. We base our research on an event-driven and permissioned blockchain model, specifically designed for this research. Applying the Participation Capacity Framework and conducting semi-structured interviews with coffee producers and key informants, we analyze adoption attitudes towards the blockchain application. We further identify opportunities and drawbacks from the producers’ perspective. We set these findings in the context of the Global Value Chain research, considering the existing power relations in the coffee value chain. The top-down nature of blockchain projects raises distributive concerns, as resource investments, implementation burden, and risks are significantly higher upstream, whereas downstream lead firms will benefit most. We identify data squeeze as an additional channel of sustainable supplier squeeze relevant in the case of blockchain initiatives. Data squeeze implies lead firms turning the data obtained through, likely unpaid, labour of blockchain participants into a monetizable assets and marketable value through branding and advertisement. Based on the findings, we identify potential design dimensions and implementation features that can contribute to materializing producer benefits, thus mitigating the risk of a sustainability-driven supplier squeeze.

Blockchain technology in supply chain management: an organizational theoretic overview and research agenda

Blockchain technology is touted as a game-changer. Many experts consider blockchain technology as one of the disruptive innovations. Following significant success in the banking and finance sector, blockchain technology has found significant success in all fields, including health, manufacturing, transportation, disaster relief operations, and many others. Recently, the academician has contributed significantly towards understanding blockchain technology and its application in the management field. To understand how the literature on blockchain technology in the supply chain has progressed, we undertook an extensive review of the literature published in peer-reviewed journals using databases such as SCOPUS. We have further classified our literature into four stages (pre-adoption, adoption, implementation, and application). Finally, we synthesized the findings of the study and proposed a research framework to explain how an organization can build supply chain resilience and enhance supply chain performance with the help of blockchain technology. Finally, we have noted the limitations of the study and future research directions.

Dynamic capabilities for digital procurement transformation: a systematic literature review

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to achieve a collective understanding of the capabilities required for digital procurement transformation (DPT).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors contextualize theory about dynamic capabilities (DCs) to integrate the fragmented body of literature on procurement digitalization by means of a systematic literature review (SLR). By extracting and clustering capabilities, as well as proven performance outcomes from existing literature in the field, the authors develop a conceptual model of the DCs required for DPT.

Findings

The authors first introduce and define DPT and the corresponding motivations that trigger firms to invest in advanced digital technologies. Second, by adopting the DC lens, the authors provide an overview of nine microfoundations required for DPT and highlight the strategic options procurement leaders can use when strategizing about adopting combinations of digital technologies. Third, the authors present a future research agenda on DCs for DPT.

Research limitations/implications

The developed conceptual model must be verified and enhanced through further empirical research.

Practical implications

The conceptual model can be used by procurement leaders as a starting point and framework when strategizing about digitally transforming the procurement organization.

Originality/value

The study is the first to synthesize previous research findings on procurement digitalization through an SLR in order to develop a fine-grained conceptual model that supports practitioners and researchers alike in better understanding the capabilities required for and potential performance outcomes of DPT.

Blockchain as the "trust-building machine" for supply chain management

This paper aims to investigate the impact of blockchain application on trust levels in supply chains. Through the systematic review of the relevant literature, three dimensions of trust, i.e., the trustor-trustee perspective, forms of trust, and time orientation, are investigated. Our findings show that, first, there are three pairs of trustors and trustees involved in blockchain implementation: (a) the user and the blockchain, (b) two supply chain partners, and (c) the consumer/public and a supply chain unit. Second, the two forms of trust, namely cognition-based and institution-based trust, are likely to be enhanced by blockchain execution, while affect-based trust may not be directly impacted by the technology. Third, the presence of blockchain technology would facilitate swift trust-building between unknown supply chain partners under specific circumstances. Moreover, we also find contradicting assertions among scholars on the implications of blockchain for trust in supply chains. While some studies pointed out that blockchain will enable a trustless trusted scheme, others expected the reinforcement of interorganizational trust. To test these assertions, we develop the blockchain-entrusted supply chain models to present the three-step process of how trust is developed through the blockchain and diffused to supply chain partners and external stakeholders.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10479-022-04868-0.

Uncovering dimensions of the impact of blockchain technology in supply chain management

Supply chains around the globe are faced with difficulties and disruptions due to the worldwide pandemic situation and digital solutions are needed. There is significant research interest in the implementation of blockchain technology (BCT) for supply chain management (SCM). A challenge that remains is analyzing the interactions of BCT in different areas of SCM. This study aims to identify the influential dimensions of the impact of BCT adoption in SCM and to discuss the synergetic and counter-synergetic effects between these dimensions. Advantages, disadvantages, and constraints of adopting BCT in the SCM context are explored through a systematic literature review, which provides the foundation for identifying the dimensions of impact. The interactions between these dimensions are conceptually discussed. This study introduces three dimensions of the impact of implementing BCT in SCM: ‘operations and processes’, ‘supply chain relationships’, and ‘innovation and data access’. These dimensions are interrelated and have overlapping areas within them, which leads to synergetic and counter-synergetic effects. The overlaps and synergies of the three dimensions of impact are illustrated, and the virtuous and vicious cycles of BCT adoption in SCM cases are highlighted. This study assists scholars and practitioners by clarifying the synergetic relationships within the dimensions of the impact of BCT in SCM and by providing considerations to prevent undesirable effects and expand desired ones.

Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Based on Blockchain Technology

In the development of traditional supply-chain finance, the information asymmetry of all parties in the supply chain has become the primary problem hindering its development. Blockchain technology is an effective method to solve the problem of information silos. Based on differential game theory, this paper constructs a game model of supply-chain financial information-sharing behavior based on blockchain technology. Three scenarios of independent decision, the cost-subsidy mechanism of financial institutions, and dealers and collaborative decisions are studied, and the theoretical model is verified through a simulation algorithm. The results show that information sharing in supply-chain finance based on blockchain technology is much higher than that of traditional supply-chain finance, and the use of blockchain technology can promote more sustainable development of supply chains. Blockchain technology can effectively solve the information-silo effect, and the information sharing cost-subsidy mechanism can effectively relieve the cost pressure of information sharing and optimize the supply-chain structure. In addition, the amount of information and benefits shared among the three parties of supply-chain finance based on blockchain technology and the overall benefits show an increasing and stabilized trend over time. This study provides a reference for supply-chain finance members to reasonably choose the optimal strategic behavior.

Blockchain and supply chain finance: a critical literature review at the intersection of operations, finance and law

In the current environment, where the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of the incumbent paper-based trade and supply chain finance systems, digital transformation pledges to alleviate the friction on international trade. Here, we provide a timely review of state-of-the-art industry applications and theoretical perspectives on the use of blockchain as the medium toward digitalisation for supply chain finance systems. We argue that blockchain technology has an innovation promoting role in supply chain finance solutions through reducing inefficiencies and increasing visibility between different parties, which have hitherto constituted the main challenges in this sphere. Based on a review of the academic literature as well as an analysis of the industrial solutions that have emerged, we identify and discuss the financial, operational and legal challenges encountered in supply chain financing and the promise of blockchain to address these limitations. We discuss the bottlenecks as well as the benefits of blockchain and identify some necessary conditions required for the emergence of blockchain-enabled trade and supply chain financing, such as the establishment of co-opetition among supply chain actors, integration with IoT systems for data quality, and reform of regulatory and legal frameworks. We conclude by identifying promising research directions about the implementation process, inviting further research into the transformation of business models toward a more collaborative nature.

Blockchain Technology in Operations & Supply Chain Management: A Content Analysis

Scholars are increasingly examining how the distributed blockchain technology can counter specific supply chain and operations management challenges. Various research approaches emerge from different scholarly backgrounds, but the interrelation of research areas and current trends has not been adequately considered in a systematic review. We employ a data-driven content analysis approach to examine previous research on blockchain technology in operations management and supply chain management. We investigate the extent to which blockchain technology was considered in scholarly works, structure the research efforts, and identify trends, interrelated themes, and promising research opportunities. Quantitative and qualitative content analysis is conducted on an extensive literature sample of 410 articles. Results indicate an optimistic attitude due to potentials such as tracking and tracing abilities, efficiency increases, and trust-building. Conceptual studies dominate the literature set, with increasing qualitative research efforts. Grand theories are seldomly addressed in the studies. Blockchain technology is outlined as particularly useful when combined with other technologies like IoT. We also identified sustainability implications of the technology, such as enabling transparency for SC stakeholders. Cryptocurrencies can facilitate further efficiency gains if legal uncertainties are reduced. The study is concluded with managerial and theoretical implications and future research opportunities.

Theoretical Perspectives on Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Digital Transformation: A Literature Review and a Conceptual Framework

In an era where environmental and social pressures on companies are increasing, sustainable supply chain management is essential for the efficient operation and survivability of the organizations (members of the chain). Digital transformation and the adoption of new technologies could support the development of sustainable strategies, as they support supply chain processes, decrease operational costs, enable control and monitoring of operations and support green practices. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between sustainable supply chain management and digital transformation through the adoption of specific technologies (Blockchain technology, big data analytics, internet of things). It aims at theory building and the development of a conceptual framework, enabling the explanation of under which circumstances the above combination could lead to the development of sustainable performances. It also aims to examine how companies can increase their competitive advantage and/or increase their business performance, contributing both to academics and practitioners. After conducting a literature review analysis, a significant gap was detected. There are a few studies providing theoretical approaches to examining all three pillars of sustainability, while at the same time analyzing the impact of big data analytics, internet of things and blockchain technology on the development of sustainable supply chains. Aiming to address this gap, this paper primarily conducts a literature review, identifies definitions and theories used to explain the different pillars of flexibility, and examines the effect of different technologies. It then develops a theoretical conceptual framework, which could enable both academics and practitioners to examine the impact of the adoption of different technologies on sustainable supply chain management. The findings of this research reveal that digital transformation plays an important role to companies, as the combination of different technologies may lead to the development of significant capabilities, increasing sustainable performances and enabling the development of sustainable strategies, which can improve companies’ position in the market.

Stick or Twist—The Rise of Blockchain Applications in Marketing Management

The adoption of blockchain technology by companies can change the way they interact with stakeholders, redefining communication strategies and other marketing processes. In this study, we investigated the relevance of blockchain applications for marketing management from the perspective of marketing-related professionals. Answers about blockchain technology application in the marketing arena were collected from the social platform Quora. The data were analyzed through text mining and Spearman’s correlation coefficient to assess the degree of association, inherent intensity, and the association significance between the variables payments, supply chain, loyalty programs, digital marketing, credential management, and marketing management, using Quora-specific metrics, namely, upvotes, shares, and views. The results posit blockchain technology as being an asset for marketing, with greater relevance in supply chain and internal management among marketing operations. Professionals will be able to potentially improve internal management systems and marketing campaigns, which will enhance companies’ competitive advantage.

The possibility of sports industry business model innovation based on blockchain technology: Evaluation of the innovation efficiency of listed sports companies

The combination of blockchain and the sports industry is bound to be a trend in terms of innovation and the development of sports industry in the near future. Therefore, after analyzing the problems existing in the current business model of the sports industry, this paper takes 200 innovation indicators of 50 listed companies in the sports industry, among which 15 use blockchain and 35 do not use, as research samples and uses a three-stage DEA model to calculate their innovation efficiency. The results show that sports companies that use blockchain have better performance in terms of innovation efficiency than do those that do not, which illustrates the necessity of blockchain-based business model innovation. Then, by focusing on the internal structure and the case of the "vSport blockchain", this work shows that this business model innovation is feasible. The article first proposes a blockchain-based sports industry business model and then uses a combination of empirical and case studies to prove the necessity and feasibility of sports industry business model innovation.

Barriers for adoption of Industry 4.0 in sustainable food supply chain: a circular economy perspective

Purpose

Food supply chains (FSCs) are fast becoming more and more complex. Sustainability is a necessary strategy in FSCs to meet the environmental, economic and societal requirements. Industry 4.0 (I4.0) applications for a circular economy (CE) will play a significant role in sustainable food supply chains (SFSCs). I4.0 applications can be used in for traceability, tracking, inspection and quality monitoring, environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, farm input optimization, process automation, etc. to improve circularity and sustainability of FSCs. However, the factors integrating I4.0 and CE adoption in SFSC are not yet very well understood. Furthermore, despite such high potential I4.0 adoption is also met with several barriers. The present study identifies and analyzes twelve barriers for the adoption of I4.0 in SFSC from an CE context.

Design/methodology/approach

A cause-effect analysis and prominence ranking of the barriers are done using Rough-DEMATEL technique. DEMATEL is a widely used technique that is applied for a structured analysis of a complex problems. The rough variant of DEMATEL helps include the uncertainty and vagueness of decision maker related to the I4.0 technologies.

Findings

“Technological immaturity,” “High investment,” “Lack of awareness and customer acceptance” and “technological limitations and lack of eco-innovation” are identified as the most prominent barriers for adoption of I4.0 in SFSC.

Originality/value

Successful mitigation of these barriers will improve the sustainability of FSCs through accelerated adoption of I4.0 solutions. The findings of the study will help managers, practitioners and planners to understand and successfully mitigate these barriers.

Adopting distributed ledger technology for the sustainable construction industry: evaluating the barriers using Ordinal Priority Approach

Construction 4.0 has become a buzzword since the penetration of building information modeling (BIM), cyber-physical systems, and digital and computing technologies into the construction industry. Among emerging technologies, distributed ledger technology (DLT), or blockchain, is a powerful business enhancer whose potential can disrupt projects, AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) firms, and construction supply chain, and in a broader sense, the whole construction industry. This technology has not reached the plateau of productivity due to several barriers and challenges. Previous studies have started to investigate the barriers to implementing DLT in various sectors and segmentations. However, we still need further surveys in the construction industry. This study evaluates the applicability of identified challenges and barriers based on a sustainability perspective. Precisely, we will answer which challenges need to be addressed for the sustainability of the construction industry. To meet the research objective, the ordinal priority approach (OPA) in multiple attributes decision-making (MADM) was utilized. This novel method determines the weight of sustainability attributes and barriers simultaneously. The results show that DLT implementation needs (i) infrastructure for data management, (ii) advanced applications and archetypes, and (iii) customers' demand, interest, and tendency, and (iv) taxation and reporting. Solving high-ranked challenges is the key to social sustainability from the aspects of "supply chain management and procurement"; "transparency, anti-corruption, and anti-counterfeiting"; and "fair operation and honest competition."

Blockchain technology adoption for managing risks in operations and supply chain management: evidence from the UK

The impact of blockchain technology (BCT) implementation on the accuracy, reliability, visibility, incorruptibility, and timeliness of supply-chain processes and transactions, makes it attractive to improve the robustness, transparency, accountability and decision-making in risk management. Therefore, the emerging BCT can present an invaluable opportunity for the organisations in need of preparing for and responding to uncertain and complex instances. The adoption of BCT in the operations and supply chain management (OSCM) literature remains scarcely investigated, especially in the context of managing risks in emergency situations such as crises, disasters, and pandemics, which are characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) in the business environment. This article will contribute to the OSCM literature by developing a conceptual model that will examine the causal relationships between VUCA business environment, constructs derived from technology acceptance model (TAM), resilience and behavioural intention of the operations managers to adopt BCT for risk management. The model was tested by gathering responses from 116 operations managers in the UK (during COVID-19 pandemic) through structural equation modelling. Findings from the analysis suggest that understanding the benefits of BCT, involvement in resilient organisational practices and user-friendly implementation of the technology will have a significant and positive influence on the intention to adopt BCT for risk management in the OSCM context. Building upon these findings, we have proposed a BCT decision framework to assess the feasibility and suitability of adopting BCT in each context (such as risk management), which will have strategic implications for operations managers and the OSCM community.

Blockchain systems and ethical sourcing in the mineral and metal industry: a multiple case study

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine blockchain's roles in promoting ethical sourcing in the mineral and metal industry.

Design/methodology/approach

It analyzes multiple case studies of blockchain projects in the mineral and metal industry.

Findings

It gives detailed descriptions of how blockchain-based supply chain networks' higher density of information flow and high degree of authenticity of information can increase supply chain participants' compliance with sustainability standards. It gives special consideration to blockchain systems' roles in overcoming the deficits in the second party and the third-party trust. It also demonstrates how blockchain-based supply chain networks include outside actors and configure the supply chain networks in a way that enhances the empowerment of marginalized groups.

Practical implications

It suggests various mechanisms by which blockchain-based supply chain networks can give a voice to marginalized groups.

Originality/value

It demonstrates how blockchain is likely to force mineral and metal supply chains to become more traceable and transparent.

Blockchain-Based IoT Devices in Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review

Through recent progress, the forms of modern supply chains have evolved into complex networks. The supply chain management systems face a variety of challenges. These include lack of visibility of the upstream party (Provider) to the downstream party (Client); lack of flexibility in the face of sudden variations in demand and control of operating costs; lack of reliance on safety stakeholders; ineffective management of supply chain risks. Blockchain (BC) is used in the supply chain to overcome the growing demands for items. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a profoundly encouraging innovation that can help companies observe, track, and monitor products, activities, and processes within their respective value chain networks. Research establishments and logical gatherings are ceaselessly attempting to answer IoT gadgets in supply chain management. This paper presents orderly writing on and reviewing of Blockchain-based IoT advances and their current usage. We discuss the smart devices used in this system and which device is the most appropriate in the supply chain. This paper also looks at future examination themes in blockchain-based IoT, referred to as the executive’s framework production network. The essential deliberate writing audit has been consolidated by surveying research articles circulated in highly reputable publications between 2016 and 2021. Lastly, current issues and challenges are present to provide researchers with promising future directions in IoT supply chain management systems.

Categorizing transaction costs outcomes under uncertainty: a blockchain perspective for government organizations

Purpose

In response, the purpose of this paper is to provide theoretical frameworks about the organizational uncertainty behind what and when to adopt blockchain technology and their implications on transaction costs. The immature nature and the absence of standards in blockchain technology lead to uncertainty in government organizations concerning the adoption (“what to adopt”) and the identification of the right time (“when to start”).

Design/methodology/approach

Using transaction cost theory and path dependency theory, this paper proposes two frameworks: to assess transaction cost risks and opportunities costs; and to depict four different types of transaction costs outcomes regarding blockchain adoption.

Findings

This paper identifies various theoretical concepts that influence blockchain adoption and combine the two critical constructs of “bounded rationality” and the “lock-in effect” to categorize the multiple transaction costs outcomes for blockchain adoption.

Research limitations/implications

Although existing research in blockchain highlights mainly the potential benefits of blockchain applications, only a little attention has been given to frameworks that categorize potential transaction costs outcomes under uncertainty, in particular from organizational theorists.

Originality/value

Both frameworks advance the understanding of the decision-making behind blockchain adoption and synthesize the current literature to offer conceptual clarity regarding the varied implications and outcomes linked to the uncertainty regarding transactions costs stemming from blockchain technology.

Internet Development, Level of Industrial Synergy, and Urban Innovation

Innovation increases total factor productivity and leads to economic development. Based on panel data of 284 prefecture-level cities from 2001 to 2018, the current study uses a dynamic panel data model to empirically test the global and heterogeneous effects of internet development and industrial synergy on the level of urban innovation. Results found that the internet development significantly promoted the urban innovation level, and industrial collaboration was found to have a positive impact on the urban innovation level. Moreover, it was determined that the regulatory effect of the internet promoted industrial collaboration to improve the level of urban innovation. Variations in the impact of internet development and the industrial collaboration level on the urban innovation level were found in cities. Particularly, the impact of internet development and the industrial collaboration level on the urban innovation level in high-level cities was less significant. A positive role of the government is required to improve the level of urban innovation. Particularly, it is required to connect enterprises with universities to exchange scientific and technological knowledge, thereby improving urban innovation.

An Anti-Counterfeit and Traceable Management System for Brand Clothing with Hyperledger Fabric Framework

Counterfeit products are internationally regarded as “the world’s second greatest public health hazards after drugs”. Counterfeiters produce counterfeit brand clothing and then sell them to consumers through unofficial channels; thus, consumers spend a lot of money without getting the value they deserve. With the rise of e-shopping, the safety and security of branded clothing supply chains are also under threat. Counterfeit branded apparel manufacturers generate profits while genuine manufacturers suffer, which ultimately violates the interests of the public. This study proposes a traceable anti-counterfeit management system for branded clothing based on Hyperledger Fabric technology. This system can achieve full traceability of the production information of branded clothing. It uses the unique characteristics of blockchain, such as being unforgeable, traceable, open, and transparent, and collectively ‘maintaining’, to record the specific production processes of the brand clothing, and ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of the production information of brand clothing. The end-user can self-verify the product’s authenticity by sharing the product’s details on the immutable framework. It solves problems surrounding information asymmetry, opaque supply chain data, and easy falsification in the production process of branded clothing in traditional branded clothing supply chains.

Blockchain: Future of e-Governance in Smart Cities

In recent times, Blockchain has emerged as a transformational technology with the ability to disrupt and evolve multiple domains. As a decentralized, immutable distributed ledger, Blockchain technology is one of the most recent entrants to the comprehensive ideology of Smart Cities. The rise of urbanization and increased citizen participation have led to various technology integrations in our present-day cities. For cities to become smart, we need standard frameworks and procedures for integrating technology, citizens and governments. In this paper, we explore the potential of Blockchain technology as an enabler for e-governance in smart cities. We examine the daily challenges of citizens and compare them with the benefits being offered by Blockchain integration. On the basis of a comprehensive literature review, we identified four key areas of e-governance wherein Blockchain can provide monumental advantages. In the context of Blockchain integration for e-governance, the paper presents a survey of prominent published works discussing various urban applications.

Prioritising risk mitigation strategies for environmentally sustainable clothing supply chains: Insights from selected organisational theories

Recent outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has provided strong impetus to supply chain resilience research. In a volatile and uncertain business environment, resilience can be incorporated by developing and implementing effective risk mitigation strategies. In this research, risk mitigation strategies for environmentally sustainable clothing supply chain have been prioritised by considering their efficacy to mitigate various risks. Twelve risks and thirteen mitigation strategies, identified through literature review and experts' opinion, are considered as decision criteria and alternatives respectively. Fuzzy Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solutions (fuzzy TOPSIS) is implemented under a group decision making scenario for prioritising the strategies. Developing supply chain agility; multiple green sourcing and flexible capacities; adoption of green practices; building trust, coordination and collaboration; and alignment of economic incentives and revenue sharing are found to be dominant risk mitigation strategies for environmentally sustainable clothing supply chain. These strategies have been viewed through the lens of resource dependence, change management and transaction cost theories. Organisation desirous to build resilience in their supply chain can prioritise the risk mitigation strategies and adopt a portfolio of strategies based on the outcome of this research.

Emerging trends in digital transformation: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose

Ubiquitous digital technologies are driving organisations to embrace non-traditional digitally transformed business models incessantly. Heterogeneous literature contributions have resulted in a spur in the research related to business transformation driven by digital technologies in recent years; consequently, the research under the digital transformation (DT), even though becoming a hotspot, remains very fragmented. The authors endeavour to holistically present the literature's intellectual structure under DT as a concept, its evolving journey and the emerging research streams in the business and management domains using the techniques of bibliometric analysis.

Design/methodology/approach

By performing bibliometric analysis on 234 research articles published over the last 20 years in the DT domain, retrieved from Thompson Reuters Web of Science TM, this study culls out thorough insights from the citation, co-citation and keyword analysis. Further emerging research streams were evaluated using VOSviewer software.

Findings

The study depicts an overall incremental trend of year-on-year publications, authors' performance, publication journals, associated institutions and research driving countries, along with key insights from co-citation network analysis. Furthermore, the study evaluates four research areas – organisational impacts, applied applications and insights, operational processes and social aspects, comprising eighteen research streams that comprehensively cover-up research under the DT domain.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes to the literature of DT by amalgamating the status of the present research, but more importantly, by deriving the research areas and research streams, which can be further expanded by researchers as future research streams.

Practical implications

For the practitioners, the study aims to act as a ready reckoner repository with practice-oriented literature references to facilitate them building knowledge and taking effective strategic decisions to harness the benefits of DT more proficiently.

Originality/value

This study illustrates the bibliometric structure of the DT literature and presents insights from the growth of the literature year-on-year.

The impact of digitalization and inter-organizational technological activities on supplier opportunism: the moderating role of relational ties

Purpose

Digitalization encourages the manufacturer to engage in inter-organizational technological activities (i.e. supplier IT integration and supply visibility) with its major supplier, which influences supply chain (SC) governance. This study tests a moderated mediation model that considers supplier IT integration and supply visibility as mediators between supply-side digitalization and supplier opportunism, and relational ties as a moderator in the relationship between inter-organizational technological activities and supplier opportunism.

Design/methodology/approach

Ordinary least square (OLS) regression is used to examine data from 200 firms in China describing their supply chain management (SCM) practices and perceived relationships with their major suppliers.

Findings

Supply-side digitalization is positively related to supplier IT integration and supply visibility. Supply-side digitalization has a positive indirect effect on supplier opportunism through supplier IT integration but a negative indirect effect through supply visibility. Relational ties weaken the positive effect of supplier IT integration and the positive indirect effect of supply-side digitalization on supplier opportunism. Relational ties also weaken the negative effect of supply visibility and the negative indirect effect of supply-side digitalization on supplier opportunism.

Originality/value

This study enriches understanding of SC governance in the digital age by empirically confirming that digital transformation brings both challenges and opportunities to SC governance and by clarifying the interplay of relational governance and technological activities. In addition, this study contributes to the SC digitalization literature by empirically validating the role of digitalization in promoting inter-organizational technological activities, as well as by revealing its potential dark side.

Technical Sustainability of Cloud-Based Blockchain Integrated with Machine Learning for Supply Chain Management

Knowing the challenges of keeping and manipulating more and more immutable transaction records in a blockchain network of various supply chain parties and the opportunities of leveraging sophisticated analyses on the big data generated from these records, design of a robust blockchain architecture based on a cloud infrastructure is proposed. This paper presents this technical design with consideration of the technical sustainability in terms of scalability and big data processing and analytics. A case study was used to illustrate how the technical sustainability is achieved by applying the proposed technical design to the real-time detection of the maritime risk management. This case also illustrates how machine learning mechanism helps to reduce maritime risk by guiding a cargo ship to adjust to the planned or safe route from a detour to a danger zone. This paper also discusses the implications for further research direction.