Students Expectations Towards New Technologies: A Case of Blockchain

The paper presents the results of an investigation into factors that influence expectations towards new technologies on an example of blockchain technology (BC). The authors propose a research model that encompasses information sources, knowledge and usage factors, and three types of expectations towards new technology: Technological Evolution, Social Evolution, and Social Revolution. The model was tested on the population of IT students from Cracow universities (Poland). The results indicate that students that are aware of technological and practical aspects of BC have more reserved expectations towards BC, contrary to students whose knowledge and experience of this technology is superficial, and whose expectations are high and might be classified as Social Revolution. The results of research might help in shaping education curricula at universities. The proposed model might be useful in the investigation of attitudes towards other new technologies

Key characteristics to create optimized blockchain consensus algorithms

Blockchain is a fairly new technology and still in its infancy. As a result, many research papers are creating optimized consensus algorithms. Therefore, a need for key characteristics to create optimized blockchain consensus algorithms has been identified. This research paper presents the results of a systematic literature on identifying the main blockchain consensus algorithms and their associated advantages and disadvantages. Papers from four different databases were retrieved and after exclusion criteria were applied, 44 papers were ultimately included in the review. Results indicated that the five main consensus algorithms were Proof-of-Work (PoW), Proof-of-Stake (PoS), Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT), and Delegated Proof-of-Stake. The results further indicated that efficiency was the main advantage of the PoS, PBFT, PoA and hybrid consensus algorithms. The main disadvantage was “energy wastage” and was attributed to the PoW algorithm. Security concerns were the main disadvantage of the PoS algorithm. These findings were used to present key characteristics that future researchers can have in mind when creating optimized blockchain consensus algorithms.https://www.springer.com/series/558hj2022Informatic

A readiness assessment framework for Blockchain adoption: a healthcare case study

Blockchain technology has been gaining traction across different sectors. It has the potential to immensely benefit the healthcare sector, given the sector's inherent complexities, problems, and inefficiencies. However, to date, no comprehensive, evidence-based effort has been made to understand the readiness of this sector for blockchain adoption. We proposed a readiness assessment framework that encompasses the complex interplay of different underlying factors, social structures, and institutional mechanisms and that covers all key stakeholders. Based on a systematic literature review, the framework is applied to the UAE's healthcare sector and its applicability and usefulness is established. The findings show the multifaceted significance of government readiness in driving blockchain initiatives. Large firms are found to be more willing to leverage the opportunities afforded by blockchain. Lack of clarity on blockchain regulations and laws, and issues pertaining to privacy and trust are found to affect the readiness of all stakeholders. The proposed framework and the study's findings will be useful in guiding policy interventions and developing support mechanisms to strengthen areas related to blockchain adoption