scholarly journals A Blockchain-Based Framework for Green Logistics in Supply Chains

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4656 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Qing Tan ◽  
Fangfang Wang ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
Kai Kang ◽  
Federica Costa
Keyword(s):  
Data Sharing ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Green Logistics ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Sustainable Operations ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Potential Benefits

The logistics industry around the world has proliferated over recent years as a large number of business organizations have come to recognize the importance of logistics. Cost control used to be emphasized to remain competitive, but recently green logistics has gained attention with the awareness of the integration of economy and society as a whole. Nowadays, green logistics is a useful concept to improve the sustainability of logistics operations, and its related policies and theoretical research have been investigated and explored. However, the practical applications of green logistics are impeded by real-time data sharing, which is common in the logistics industry. Blockchain technology is adopted to address this challenge and enable data sharing among related stakeholders. This paper presents a reference framework for green logistics based on blockchain to reach the sustainable operations of logistics, with the integration of the Internet of Things and big data. Finally, potential benefits and limitations are analyzed when implementing this framework.

What the healthcare sector’s experience of blockchain reveals about its real transformative potential: A cross-disciplinary analysis (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Data Sharing ◽  
Real World ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Healthcare Applications ◽  
Successful Development ◽  
Computational Trust ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Potential Benefits

BACKGROUND Academic literature highlights the potential benefits of blockchain to transform healthcare, focusing on its potential seamlessly and securely to integrate existing ‘data silos’ while enabling patients to exercise automated, fine-grained control over access to their Electronic Health Records (EHRs). Yet no serious scholarly attempt has been made to assess the extent to which these technologies have in fact been applied to real-world healthcare contexts. OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this paper is to critically investigate the healthcare sector’s actual engagement and experience of blockchain technologies to date to assess the extent to which the potential for blockchain technologies to transform healthcare highlighted in academic literature is likely to be realised in healthcare practice. METHODS This mixed-methods study entailed a series of iterative, in-depth, theoretically oriented desk-based investigations and two focus-group investigations. It built on findings of a companion research study documenting real-world engagement with blockchain technologies in healthcare. Data was sourced from academic and grey literature drawn from multiple disciplinary perspectives concerned with the configuration, design and functionality of blockchain technologies. The analysis proceeded in three stages. First, it undertook a qualitative investigation of observed patterns of blockchain for healthcare engagement to identify the application domains, data-sharing problems, and the challenges encountered to date. Secondly, it critically compared these experiences of with claims about blockchain's potential benefits in healthcare. Thirdly, it developed a theoretical account of challenges that arise in implementing blockchain in healthcare contexts, thus providing a firmer foundation for appraising its future prospects for healthcare. RESULTS Healthcare organisations have actively experimented with blockchain technologies since 2016, and have demonstrated proof of concept for several applications (‘use cases’) primarily concerned with administrative data and to facilitate medical research by enabling algorithmic models to be trained on multiple disparately located sets of patient data in a secure, privacy-preserving manner. Yet blockchain technology is yet to be implemented at scale in healthcare, remaining largely in its infancy. These early experiences of blockchain technologies have demonstrated blockchain’s potential to generate meaningful value to healthcare by facilitating data sharing between organisations in circumstances where computational trust can overcome a lack of social trust that might otherwise prevent valuable cooperation. Although there are genuine prospects of utilising blockchain to bring about positive transformation in healthcare, the successful development of blockchain for healthcare applications face a number of very significant, multi-dimensional and highly complex challenges. Early experience suggests that blockchain is unlikely to rapidly and radically revolutionise healthcare. CONCLUSIONS The successful development of blockchain for healthcare applications face numerous significant, multi-dimensional and complex challenges which will not be easily overcome, suggesting that blockchain technologies are unlikely to revolutionise healthcare in the near future. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Analysis of the Optimal Application of Blockchain-Based Smart Lockers in the Logistics Industry Based on FFD-SAGA and Grey Decision-Making

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Shen-Tsu Wang ◽  
Meng-Hua Li ◽  
Chun-Chi Lien
Keyword(s):  
Web Application ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Application Programming Interface ◽  
Fractional Factorial ◽  
Office Workers ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Multiple Attribute

Blockchain technology has been applied to logistics tracking, but it is not cost-effective. The development of smart lockers has solved the problem of repeated distribution to improve logistics efficiency, thereby becoming a solution with convenience and privacy compared to the in-store purchase and pickup alternative. This study prioritized the key factors of smart lockers using a simulated annealing–genetic algorithm by fractional factorial design (FFD-SAGA) and grey relational analysis, and investigated the main users of smart lockers by grey multiple attribute decision analysis. The results show that the Web application programming interface (API) concatenation and money flow provider are the key success factors of smart lockers, and office workers are the main users of the lockers. Hence, how to better meet the needs of office workers will be an issue of concern for service providers.

scholarly journals Blockchain-Based Application for Certification Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 488-492
Author(s):  
Jovan Karamachoski ◽  
Ninoslav Marina ◽  
Pavel Taskov
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Crucial Part

Blockchain technology will bring a disruption in plenty of industries and businesses. Recently it proved the robustness, immutability, auditability, in many crucial practical applications. The blockchain structure offers traceability of actions, alterations, alerts, which is an important property of a system needed for development of sustainable technologies. A crucial part of the blockchain technology regarding the optimization of the processes is the smart contract. It is a self-executable computer code, open and transparent, encoding the terms of a regular contract. It is able to automate the processes, thus decreasing the human-factor mistakes or counterfeits. In this paper, we are presenting the feasibility of the blockchain technology in the certification processes, with an application developed for university diploma certification. The example is easily transferable in other areas and business models such as logistics, supply chain management, or other segments where certification is essential.

scholarly journals Blockchain Technology in the Food Industry: A Review of Potentials, Challenges and Future Research Directions

Logistics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Abderahman Rejeb ◽  
John G. Keogh ◽  
Suhaiza Zailani ◽  
Horst Treiblmaier ◽  
Karim Rejeb
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Journal Articles ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Illicit Trade ◽  
Food Supply Chains ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Business Customers

Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising technology with far-reaching implications for the food industry. The combination of immutability, enhanced visibility, transparency and data integrity provides numerous benefits that improve trust in extended food supply chains (FSCs). Blockchain can enhance traceability, enable more efficient recall and aids in risk reduction of counterfeits and other forms of illicit trade. Moreover, blockchain can enhance the integrity of credence claims such as sustainably sourced, organic or faith-based claims such as kosher or halal by integrating the authoritative source of the claim (e.g., the certification body or certification owner) into the blockchain to verify the claim integrity and reassure business customers and end consumers. Despite the promises and market hype, a comprehensive overview of the potential benefits and challenges of blockchain in FSCs is still missing. To bridge this knowledge gap, we present the findings from a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of sixty-one (61) journal articles and synthesize existing research. The main benefits of blockchain technology in FCSs are improved food traceability, enhanced collaboration, operational efficiencies and streamlined food trading processes. Potential challenges include technical, organizational and regulatory issues. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our research and present several ideas for future research.

Low Resistivity Pay Carbonates: A Practical Approach to Quantify Water Saturation Using a Modified Archie's Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramsin Eyvazzadeh ◽  
Abdullatif Al-Omair ◽  
Majed Kanfar ◽  
Achong Christon
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Water Saturation ◽  
Pore Space ◽  
Learning Algorithms ◽  
Machine Learning Algorithms ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Low Contrast ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Low Resistivity ◽  
New Models

Abstract A detailed description of a modified Archie's equation is proposed to accurately quantify water saturation within low resistivity/low contrast pay carbonates. The majority of previous work on low resistivity/low contrast reservoirs focused on clastics, namely, thin beds and/or clay effects on resistivity measurements. Recent publications have highlighted a "non-Archie" behavior in carbonates with complex pore structures. Several theoretical models were introduced, but new practical applications were not derived to solve this issue. Built upon previous theoretical research in a holistic approach, new models and workflows have been developed. Specifically, utilizing a combination of machine learning algorithms, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), core and geological data, field specific calibrated equations to compute water saturation (Sw) in complex carbonate formations are presented. Essentially, these new models partition the porosity into pore spaces and calculate their relative contribution to water saturation in each pore space. These calibrated equations robustly produce results that have proven invaluable in pay identification, well placement, and have greatly enhanced the ability to manage these types of reservoirs. This paper initially explains the theory behind the development of the analysis illustrating workflows and validation techniques used to qualify this methodology. A key benefit performing this research is the utilization of machine-learning algorithms to predict NMR derived values in wells that do not have NMR data. Several examples explore where results of this analysis are compared to dynamic testing, formation testing and laboratory measured samples to validate and demonstrate the utility of this new analysis.

Blockchain technology development and implementation for global logistics operations: a reference model perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rukshanda Kamran ◽  
Nasreen Khan ◽  
Balan Sundarakani
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Traceability System ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Global Logistics

Purpose Blockchain technology offers a lot of potential benefits in supply chain management. However, there is a need of a reference model which addresses the gaps in existing frameworks. This paper aims to propose a blockchain technology-based reference model which can be applied to global logistics operations. Design/methodology/approach The researchers have integrated the fit-for-purpose theoretical framework and prototyping methodology to design the reference model, a blockchain-based logistics, tracking and traceability system (BLTTS). The researchers demonstrated the application of the reference model through a health-care supply chain case study. The proposed BLTTS can be implemented across global logistics operations for business performance improvement. Findings The research provides a framework and recommendations for global companies to consider when adopting the blockchain technology for implementation. The researchers found that the Ethereum blockchain technology improves security of the data shared within the block through the secure hashing algorithm 1. The hash algorithm ensures anonymity of the involved parties. The model integrates blockchain with supply chain thus creating transparent process, efficiency and real-time communication. Research limitations/implications The reference model will offer a better solution to global logistics operations challenges. It provides recommendations to key stakeholders involved in logistics operations segment of the logistics industry while adopting blockchain technology. Apart from the methodological limitation of the study, the system compatibility and the layer configuration aspects might be posing potential challenges while upscaling the implementation. Originality/value The proposed reference model overcomes the drawbacks of existing models as it integrates Ethereum technology. In addition, the researchers have applied the model to demonstrate its functioning in real-time environment, which could guide for future research.

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