When Mobile Blockchain Meets Edge Computing

Blockchain, as the backbone technology of the current popular Bitcoin digital currency, has become a promising decentralized data management framework. Although blockchain has been widely adopted in many applications, e.g., finance, healthcare, and logistics, its application in mobile services is still limited. This is due to the fact that blockchain users need to solve preset proof-of-work puzzles to add new data, i.e., a block, to the blockchain. Solving the proof-of-work, however, consumes substantial resources in terms of CPU time and energy, which is not suitable for resource-limited mobile devices. To facilitate blockchain applications in future mobile Internet of Things systems, multiple access mobile edge computing appears to be an auspicious solution to solve the proof-of-work puzzles for mobile users. We first introduce a novel concept of edge computing for mobile blockchain. Then, we introduce an economic approach for edge computing resource management. Moreover, a prototype of mobile edge computing enabled blockchain systems is presented with experimental results to justify the proposed concept.Comment: Accepted by IEEE Communications Magazin

Sustainable Blockchain or Blockchain For Sustainability: Blockchain Technology As A Digital Enabler For A Sustainable Supply Chain

Since the introduction of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies have been widely adopted in several domain areas. The current studies regarding this technology highlight the promising benefit in the disruption of the functioning of the whole business models. However, many technical challenges are threatening the full introduction of this technology to the organizations. One of the biggest weaknesses of blockchain technology is that it consumes more energy than any decentralized system. Proof of Work (PoW) is always pointed to be a “waste” energy consensus protocol and thus makes some blockchain platforms unsustainable. However, just because a blockchain consumes energy does not make it unsustainable. Indeed, in the context of supply chain management (SCM), blockchain can improve traceability and product tracking through information sharing, enhance transparency in processes, and ultimately contribute to sustainability of the supply chain. Blockchain has the potential to improve the current systems and infrastructures and make them sustainable

Integration of Blockchain and Lean Six Sigma approach for operational excellence: A proposed model

Purpose This study aims to explore the potential application of blockchain technology in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) project through a proposed blockchain-LSS (BLSS) model. The proposed model can tackle real-time problems in information sharing, transparency and traceability in every stage of the LSS project. Design/methodology/approach The scoping review approach is used to develop the integrated model of the BLSS approach for operational excellence. The proposed model is validated through expert’s input, which is collected by a questionnaire survey method. Findings The prime function of the proposed BLSS model is the information sharing among the project team and real-time monitoring, transparency, traceability and immutability in the Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control phase. The proposed model also consists the information about the role of blockchain features at each phase of the LSS project. The project team and industry employees can trace the success of the project at every moment, resulting in trust buildup and the elimination of fake data. Moreover, there would be no disputes among various sections/shops of the plant and employees to share the real information. Practical implications This paper provides guidelines to practitioners and managers for integrating the LSS approach and blockchain. The blockchain helps managers and practitioners in better data traceability and transparency, monitoring of data as well as more sustainable LSS project management. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research attempt that developed an integrated model of blockchain and LSS approach to maintaining the immutable records of assets in projects and targeted Industry 4.0