Shedding Light on the Blockchain Disintermediation Mystery: A Review and Future Research Agenda

Blockchain technology has been in the interest of IS researchers and practitioners for several years. One key reason for this curiosity is the possibility to carry out peer-to-peer transactions without a trusted intermediary. Building upon this capability, many researchers posited that blockchain technology would remove traditional intermediaries from their market position. This process has been described in electronic markets literature as Disintermediation. However, other researchers proposed a more distinct perspective by proposing that blockchain technology will not facilitate Disintermediation in all settings. Thus, no unified view on this topic exists yet. Our literature review identifies three dominating concepts in blockchain literature: Extensive Disintermediation, Limited Disintermediation, and Re-Intermediation. We further highlight in our findings that most of the identified literature does not consider all market functions as described in the electronic markets literature. Hence, we provide a structured overview of the field and possibilities for future research

An Environmental-Based Perspective Framework: Integrating IoT Technology into a Sustainable Automotive Supply Chain

Purpose - Over the next decade, humanity is going to face big environmental problems, and considering these serious issues, businesses are adopting environmentally responsible practices. To put forward specific measures to achieve a more prosperous environmental future, this study aims to develop an environment-based perspective framework by integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) technology into a sustainable automotive supply chain (SASC). Design/methodology/approach - The study presents a conceptual environmental framework - based on 29 factors constituting four stakeholders’ rectifications - that holistically assess the SASC operations as part of the ReSOLVE model utilizing IoT. Then, experts from the SASC, IoT, and sustainability areas participated in two rigorous rounds of a Delphi study to validate the framework. Findings – The results indicate that the conceptual environmental framework proposed would help companies enhance the connectivity between major IoT tools in SASC, which would help develop congruent strategies for inducing sustainable growth. Originality/value - This study adds value to existing knowledge on SASC sustainability and digitalization in the context where the SASC is under enormous pressure, competitiveness, and increased variability

Blockchain: A Business Model Innovation Analysis

The adoption of blockchain-based technologies by organisations can bring benefits in terms of firms' profitability, productivity and efficiency, making companies rethink their existing business models. However, as the technology is still developing and the research on the implications of the different types of blockchain networks (i.e. public, private, consortium) is scarce, their role in business model innovation requires closer attention. To address this gap, the paper provides a conceptual insight into the role of blockchain technology in companies with different value configurations by examining the technological conditions that can impact business models and probing the role of technology benefits in driving company value. The analysis contributes to the literature by discussing the business implications of innovative technologies and uncovering their positive and negative consequences for the value creation, delivery and capture activities. Such analysis sheds light on the functions of blockchains that have a differentiating impact on business processes. Also, the paper puts forward managerial implications by discussing the paths of business model innovation using blockchain technologies

Blockchain-Based Digitalization of Logistics Processes—Innovation, Applications, Best Practices

Blockchain technology is becoming one of the most powerful future technologies in supporting logistics processes and applications. It has the potential to destroy and reorganize traditional logistics structures. Both researchers and practitioners all over the world continuously report on novel blockchain-based projects, possibilities, and innovative solutions with better logistic service levels and lower costs. The idea of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of the status quo in research and possibilities to effectively implement blockchain-based solutions in business practice. This Special Issue reprint contained well-prepared research reports regarding recent advances in blockchain technology around logistics processes to provide insights into realized maturity

Empirical insights into the benefit from implementing smart contracts

Smart contracts are highly relevant due to their support for new decentralized business models and processes. We empirically investigate the benefit of implementing smart contracts. Our approach measures the benefit by capturing the impact of implementing smart contracts on processes directly. Thus, our research supersedes previous research that uses deductive approaches for deriving beneficial effects from technical and architectural properties of smart contracts and blockchains. We conduct a systematic approach using the aspects cost, quality, time and flexibility, and their impact on the four process phases interest, agreement, fulfillment, and assessment. Our research enables decision-makers to make decisions on implementing smart contracts more precisely. Furthermore, decision-makers become able to develop more target-oriented initiatives

Exploratory literature review of blockchain in the construction industry

First academic publications on blockchain in construction instantiated in 2017, with three documents. Over the course of several years, new literature emerged at an average annual growth rate of 184%, surmounting to 121 documents at time of writing this article in early 2021. All 121 publications were reviewed to investigate the expansion and progression of the topic. A mixed methods approach was implemented to assess the existing environment through a literature review and scientometric analysis. Altogether, 33 application categories of blockchain in construction were identified and organised into seven subject areas, these include (1) procurement and supply chain, (2) design and construction, (3) operations and life cycle, (4) smart cities, (5) intelligent systems, (6) energy and carbon footprint, and (7) decentralised organisations. Limitations included using only one scientific database (Scopus), this was due to format inconsistencies when downloading and merging various bibliographic data sets for use in visual mapping software

IT security in SMEs – Threats and Chances for Supply Chains

SMEs contribute to 95% of the volume in global manufacturing. While supply chains are usually dragged by the big players, SMEs have a large share in value-creation through all levels of the chains. Due to their nature, SMEs are struggling with resource constraints and the balancing of priorities. The IT security, securing some of the biggest assets of each company, data and knowledge, is assumed to not match the required level in these companies, while SMEs see themselves as being perfectly prepared. Studies show that SMEs overestimate their preparedness in the case of IT attacks; however, studies show that this field in particular is mistreated because of insufficient finances and insufficient human resource capabilities. Being connected through industry 4.0 and smart technologies, SMEs provide a backdoor for intruders to reach data and knowledge of big companies, even in case of a well-established IT security. Alarming research numbers suggest that more than 50% of companies of all sizes and branches have been fallen prey of IT attacks of any kind. Supply chains try to establish a risk management to mitigate such risks upstream to further suppliers. New technologies, such as Blockchain technology, may provide a new framework for IT security, allowing also for resilience, traceability, and anonymity. While these technologies seem promising, they do not solve the issues of the backdoor provided by SMEs in supply chains and neglected by the supply chain risk management

Waste to 3D Printing: the development of additive symbiotic networks

Industry 4.0 technologies, such as additive manufacturing (AM) and blockchain technology, may drive the implementation of a new generation of circular economy strategies. However, the role of these new technologies in designing and implementing circular economy ecosystems is not a trivial issue. In this sense, this PhD research work intends to foster knowledge for developing industrial symbiosis networks within the AM industry - the so-called additive symbiotic networks. A systematic literature review reveals current circular economy relationships within the AM industry and highlights the potential of this industry to create and develop additive symbiotic networks in which plastic wastes from other industries may be used as material inputs for AM processes. However, given the digital nature of AM and considering challenges related to trust or implementing transactions, there is a need to find tools that enable additive symbiotic networks. Blockchain technology may be an enabler of such symbiotic networks, and its adoption within these settings may have implications for the supply chain of the additive symbiotic networks. Using an abductive research approach, two case studies are conducted concerning two additive symbiotic networks comprising companies that use AM processes to valorize plastic waste streams. Case study A proves there is space within the context of additive symbiotic networks to explore the adoption of blockchain technology and identifies a set of requirements that support the technology adoption in that specific network context. From this point, case study B is developed in order to understand the consequent implications of adopting such disruptive technology as blockchain in the supply chain structure of an additive symbiotic network. Results suggest that with the adoption of blockchain there is a reduction in the number of intermediary stakeholders involved in the network and an adaption of the value flows within the network. By offering a tool that helps to deal with the challenges associated with the additive symbiotic networks, exploring its adoption and some of its implications in the supply chain of those networks, this PhD thesis promotes the development of the additive symbiotic networks, contributing to the efficient use of natural resources, promoting the collaboration between industries and reducing waste streams to achieve more sustainable production.As tecnologias que compõem a Indústria 4.0, como a manufatura aditiva (MA) e tecnologia blockchain, podem impulsionar a implementação de estratégias de economia circular. No entanto, o papel dessas novas tecnologias na conceção e implementação de ecossistemas de economia circular não é uma questão trivial. Este trabalho de doutoramento pretende fomentar o conhecimento para desenvolver redes de simbiose industrial na indústria da MA - as designadas redes simbióticas aditivas. A realização de uma revisão sistemática da literatura revela as relações entre a economia circular e a indústria da MA, destacando o seu potencial para desenvolver redes simbióticas aditivas. Nestas redes, resíduos ou subprodutos de outras indústrias podem ser utilizados como matéria-prima secundária em processos de MA. No entanto, considerando a natureza digital associada à MA e desafios relacionados com as redes de simbiose industrial, como a confiança ou a implementação de transações na rede, existe necessidade de encontrar ferramentas que possibilitem a implementação das redes simbióticas aditivas. A tecnologia blockchain pode ser uma facilitadora e sua adoção pode ter implicações para cadeia de abastecimento das redes simbióticas aditivas. Utilizando uma abordagem de investigação abdutiva, dois estudos de caso são desenvolvidos, em relação a duas redes simbióticas aditivas compostas por empresas que usam processos de MA para valorizar fluxos de resíduos e subprodutos. O estudo de caso A comprova que há potencial no contexto das redes simbióticas aditivas para a adoção da tecnologia blockchain e identifica um conjunto de requisitos que suportam a adoção desta tecnologia no contexto específico da rede em estudo. O caso de estudo B é desenvolvido com o objetivo de compreender as implicações da adoção da blockchain na estrutura da cadeia de abastecimento de uma rede simbiótica aditiva. Os resultados sugerem que com a adoção da blockchain há uma redução no número de entidades intermediários envolvidas na rede e há uma adaptação dos fluxos de valor dentro dessa mesma rede. Ao oferecer uma ferramenta que ajuda a lidar com os desafios associados às redes simbióticas aditivas, explorando a sua adoção e algumas das suas implicações na cadeia de abastecimento dessas redes, esta tese de doutoramento promove o desenvolvimento das redes simbióticas aditivas, contribuindo para uma eficiente utilização de recursos naturais, promovendo a colaboração entre as indústrias e reduzindo os fluxos de resíduos para alcançar uma produção mais sustentável

Industry 4.0 and the future of manufacturing. Theoretical base and empirical analyses

A new industrial revolution \u2013 also called \u201cIndustry 4.0\u201d \u2013 is unfolding fueled by the introduction of broadly interconnected digital technologies, including the Internet of Things, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing. Many industries are witnessing the entrance of new players integrating new technologies into disruptive business models; incumbents are also urged to rethink how they operate against trends that are expected to further accelerate in the current pandemic situation. The overarching aim of the research presented in this doctoral dissertation is to investigate to what extent Industry 4.0 represents a fundamental challenge to existing paradigms and requires researchers to modify their theoretical frameworks to approach emerging issues. With this in mind, each chapter can be seen as a step forward in journey whereby some core issues come progressively into focus. The starting point is a conceptual work analyzing the phenomenon \u2013 \u201cIndustry 4.0\u201d and similar labels \u2013 and its underlying technological and non-technological components. As a second step \u2013 under the assumption of Industry 4.0 having paradigmatic properties comparable to previous industrial revolutions \u2013 potential new configurations of manufacturing value chains are investigated. Through a future-oriented expert study, eight scenarios are conceived identifying critical drivers to value chain configurations. Finally, one of these critical drivers \u2013 data sharing in inter-organizational relationships \uac\u2013 is investigated through the development of a multiple case study analysis in the automotive sector. The contribution of this dissertation to the academic debate is at least twofold. On the one hand, the research highlights the cornerstones of the phenomenon to make sense of its overarching features and building elements. This contributes to lay solid theoretical foundations needed to advance the understanding in the field. On the other hand, my empirical investigations suggest that several barriers counterbalance the technological drivers for change, posing significant questions as for when and how the future of manufacturing will materialize. Overall, an approach focused on understanding how technologies influence the assumptions behind the current reasoning might lead at a synthesis between \u201cold\u201d and \u201cnew\u201d elements in the Industry 4.0 phenomenon

Blockchain Technology and Operations Management: An Implementation Roadmap

Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology. While it has grown in prominence, its full potential and possible downsides are not fully understood yet, especially with respect to Operations Management (OM). This thesis aims to provide a bibliometric literature review through which the current literature is studied and analyzed. In this regard, four main clusters have been identified: (1) Blockchain and Supply Chain Management, (2) Blockchain Technology Adoption in Supply Chain Management, (3) Blockchain and Sustainability, and (4) Blockchain Application in Food Supply Chain (FSC). As a result of this bibliometric literature review, some consistent gaps in the literature have been identified. Specifically, we have found that most of these recent studies focus their attention only on the possible benefits and risks of Blockchain implementation in the specific area of Supply Chain Management. Additionally, it is not clear how an enterprise should practically approach and transform its operations to implement Blockchain Technology. Hence, to fill these gaps, a case study has been conducted with a specific focus on the road mapping of the main steps and initiatives an organization should undertake when starting a Blockchain transformation journey as well as on its impacts inside the general company’s operations.Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology. While it has grown in prominence, its full potential and possible downsides are not fully understood yet, especially with respect to Operations Management (OM). This thesis aims to provide a bibliometric literature review through which the current literature is studied and analyzed. In this regard, four main clusters have been identified: (1) Blockchain and Supply Chain Management, (2) Blockchain Technology Adoption in Supply Chain Management, (3) Blockchain and Sustainability, and (4) Blockchain Application in Food Supply Chain (FSC). As a result of this bibliometric literature review, some consistent gaps in the literature have been identified. Specifically, we have found that most of these recent studies focus their attention only on the possible benefits and risks of Blockchain implementation in the specific area of Supply Chain Management. Additionally, it is not clear how an enterprise should practically approach and transform its operations to implement Blockchain Technology. Hence, to fill these gaps, a case study has been conducted with a specific focus on the road mapping of the main steps and initiatives an organization should undertake when starting a Blockchain transformation journey as well as on its impacts inside the general company’s operations