What is the potential value of tokens and token engineering for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry? A positional paper.

What is the value of tokens for blockchain applications in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC)? How can token engineering be contextualized in AEC? This positional paper instigates the tackling of these largely unexplored questions. Following a literature review and a visiting of token engineering fundamentals, the paper’s position is that tokens can indeed hold potential value for AEC. This value can be direct, utilitarian, security-related, and/or pegged, and reflected in technical and economic terms. For this value to be realized, the token must be systematically embedded in the AEC ecosystem – therefore dependent on sociotechnical parameters in AEC

Meta-requirements for the Design of a Blockchain Multi-sided Platform for Sustainability and Circular Economy

Digital technologies have the potential to impact sustainability and circular economy (CE) initiatives. Blockchain, in particular, has gained attention for its potential to enable sustainable and circular practices. However, the high energy consumption associated with the technology also raises environmental concerns, necessitating careful design considerations. This study aims to identify the requirements for designing a blockchain multi-sided platform (MSP) for sustainability and CE. Through a systematic literature review, we derived six meta-requirements that focus on sustainability and circular economy practices. The findings contribute to the literature on blockchain technology by providing a structured understanding of how blockchain can align with sustainability and circular principles, providing an initial pathway for designing sustainable information systems. The research is also valuable for organizations seeking to leverage digital technologies for their sustainability goals, offering guidance on incorporating blockchain to minimize environmental impact and maximize sustainability benefits

Understanding blockchain applications in Industry 4.0: From information technology to manufacturing and operations management

The current literature regarding blockchain-based applications in the context of Industry 4.0 has rapidly grown during the last decade. However, a systematic literature review that summarizes the main contributions, findings, and implications from a managerial perspective of the blockchain technology adoption in the specific context of Industry 4.0 is still missing. The present article aims to fill this research gap by examining and elaborating on the extant literature to develop a literature-grounded framework (WHY-HOW-WHAT) that helps better understand the management issues that blockchain technology can help resolve in the context of Industry 4.0, as well as identify the main features of blockchain-based solutions in various areas of Industry 4.0. Furthermore, the proposed framework is useful to understand how ten Industry 4.0 enabling technologies combine with the blockchain technology to implement efficient and effective blockchain-based solutions in Industry 4.0 settings. Finally, based on this framework we conjecture the trajectories of the evolution of blockchain technology in Industry 4.0 settings, and highlight the relevant research gaps that both academics and practitioners working on this field should address in the near future

Blockchain use cases across entire lifecycle of a built asset: A review

Blockchain is a key enabling technology towards the 4th industrial revolution of the construction industry. The aim of this paper is to map uses of blockchain technology across the various phases in the lifecycle of built assets. Of interest to this paper is a new classification of blockchain solutions in combination with other key enabling technologies, like Building Information Modelling and Internet of Things. The literature indicates that blockchain shows high potential for solving challenges across the entire lifecycle of a project and has an especially high potential to influence and possibly improve management in the Operation and Maintenance phase

Integrating blockchain with building information modelling (BIM): a systematic review based on a sociotechnical system perspective

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyse the current state of research on the integration of blockchain and building information modelling (BIM) in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) industry as a means of identifying gaps between the existing paradigm and practical applications for determining future research directions and improving the industry. The study aims to provide clear guidance on areas that need attention for further research and funding and to draw academic attention to factors beyond the technical dimension. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method systematic review is used, considering multiple literature types and using a sociotechnical perspective-based framework that covers three dimensions (technic, process and context) and three research elements (why, what and how). Data are retrieved and analysed from the Web of Science and Scopus databases for the 2017–2023 period. Findings: While blockchain has the potential to address security, traceability and transparency and complement the system by integrating supporting applications, significant gaps still exist between these potentials and widespread industry adoption. Current limitations and further research needs are identified, including designing fully integrated prototypes, empirical research to identify operational processes, testing and analysing operational-level models or applications and developing and applying a technology acceptance model for the integration paradigm. Previous research lacks contextual settings, real-world tests or empirical investigations and is primarily conceptual. Originality/value: This paper provides a comprehensive, critical systematic review of the integration of blockchain with BIM in the construction industry, using a sociotechnical perspective-based framework which can be applied in future reviews. The study provides insight into the current state and future opportunities for policymakers and practitioners in the AECO industry to prepare for the transition in this disruptive paradigm. It also provides a phased plan along with a clear direction for the transition to more advanced applications

Circular Production and Maintenance of Automotive Parts:An Internet of Things (IoT) Data Framework and Practice Review

The adoption of the Circular Economy paradigm by industry leads to increased responsibility of manufacturing to ensure a holistic awareness of the environmental impact of its operations. In mitigating negative effects in the environment, current maintenance practice must be considered for its potential contribution to a more sustainable lifecycle for the manufacturing operation, its products and related services. Focusing on the matching of digital technologies to maintenance practice in the automotive sector, this paper outlines a framework for organisations pursuing the integration of environmentally aware solutions in their production systems. This research sets out an agenda and framework for digital maintenance practice within the Circular Economy and the utilisation of Industry 4.0 technologies for this purpose

The Emergence of a Process Tokenisation Model for the Public Sector: A Position Paper

Tokenisation denotes one of the most successful implementations of blockchain that concretes its benefits into practice, also in the public sector, where it can help to reverse the declining citizen trust in governments. Process Tokenisation is the possibility of adopting blockchain as infrastructure for a business process, measured by its level of “Tokenisability”. Going towards a Process Tokenisation Model for the Public Sector, this position paper presents the context in which process tokenisation is necessary for the public sector and draws on Process Virtualisation Theory to propose constructs to help a public organisation identify the most suitable business process for tokenisation. Also, a European Blockchain Service Infrastructure use case description evaluates the model. As a result, the Process Tokenisation Model for the Public Sector demonstrated valuable, foreseeing sustainable potential benefits

The emergence of a process tokenisation model for the public sector: a position paper

Tokenisation denotes one of the most successful implementations of blockchain that concretes its benefits into practice, also in the public sector, where it can help to reverse the declining citizen trust in governments. Process Tokenisation is the possibility of adopting blockchain as infrastructure for a business process, measured by its level of “Tokenisability”. Going towards a Process Tokenisation Model for the Public Sector, this position paper presents the context in which process tokenisation is necessary for the public sector and draws on Process Virtualisation Theory to propose constructs to help a public organisation identify the most suitable business process for tokenisation. Also, a European Blockchain Service Infrastructure use case description evaluates the model. As a result, the Process Tokenisation Model for the Public Sector demonstrated valuable, foreseeing sustainable potential benefits.This work has been supported by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/202