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Applications of Blockchain Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain Management—Insights from a Systematic Literature Review

Author

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  • Moritz Berneis

    (Production and Operations Management, Brandenburg University of Technology, 03046 Cottbus, Germany)

  • Devis Bartsch

    (Production and Operations Management, Brandenburg University of Technology, 03046 Cottbus, Germany)

  • Herwig Winkler

    (Production and Operations Management, Brandenburg University of Technology, 03046 Cottbus, Germany)

Abstract

The most successful applications of Blockchain Technology are still in the area of crypto-currencies, although both scientists and practitioners have discovered the potential of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management. There is a significant theoretical literature on Blockchain Technology, but there exists a lack of published case studies and concrete examples. This paper discusses whether this shortcoming is due to insufficient added value of the technology and identifies other possible reasons. Furthermore, this paper introduces Blockchain Technology, describes the origins of Bitcoin, the structure and core properties of the Blockchain, and examines smart contracts. A comprehensive and structured literature analysis identifies concepts for the use of Blockchain Technology in logistics in terms of economic benefits. Additionally, a cluster analysis regarding the topics of the relevant literature was conducted. One finding of the study is that Blockchain Technology is particularly worthwhile for goods with a high value. Moreover, if the trade volume of the respective goods is low, the advantages of BCT are maximized. At the same time, the demand for transparency and immutability of data must be more important than the protection of sensitive data. In addition to concrete use cases of Blockchains, an exemplary logistics process will be presented within the Luxury Supply Chain, showing the advantages of Blockchain Technology for each individual process step.

Suggested Citation

  • Moritz Berneis & Devis Bartsch & Herwig Winkler, 2021. "Applications of Blockchain Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain Management—Insights from a Systematic Literature Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:5:y:2021:i:3:p:43-:d:585479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mikihisa Nakano, 2020. "Supply Chain Management," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-981-13-8479-0, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yunfei Yang & Guifei Qu & Lianlian Hua & Lifeng Wu, 2022. "Knowledge Mapping Visualization Analysis of Research on Blockchain in Management and Economics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-24, November.
    2. Martínez-Castañeda, Mónica & Feijoo, Claudio, 2023. "Use of blockchain in the agri-food value chain: State of the art in Spain and some lessons from the perspective of public support," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(6).
    3. Moritz Berneis & Herwig Winkler, 2021. "Value Proposition Assessment of Blockchain Technology for Luxury, Food, and Healthcare Supply Chains," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Sergey Evgenievich Barykin & Anna Viktorovna Strimovskaya & Sergey Mikhailovich Sergeev & Larisa Nikolaevna Borisoglebskaya & Natalia Dedyukhina & Igor Sklyarov & Julia Sklyarova & Lilya Saychenko, 2023. "Smart City Logistics on the Basis of Digital Tools for ESG Goals Achievement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Bartsch, Devis & Winkler, Herwig, 2022. "Smart order as a new instrument for production control," Chapters from the Proceedings of the Hamburg International Conference of Logistics (HICL), in: Kersten, Wolfgang & Jahn, Carlos & Blecker, Thorsten & Ringle, Christian M. (ed.), Changing Tides: The New Role of Resilience and Sustainability in Logistics and Supply Chain Management – Innovative Approaches for the Shift to a New , volume 33, pages 149-175, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute of Business Logistics and General Management.
    6. Hani Alshahrani & Noman Islam & Darakhshan Syed & Adel Sulaiman & Mana Saleh Al Reshan & Khairan Rajab & Asadullah Shaikh & Jaweed Shuja-Uddin & Aadar Soomro, 2023. "Sustainability in Blockchain: A Systematic Literature Review on Scalability and Power Consumption Issues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-24, February.
    7. Mubashir Hayat & Herwig Winkler, 2022. "An Analytic Hierarchy Process for Selection of Blockchain-Based Platform for Product Lifecycle Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, October.
    8. Zhu, Qingyun & Bai, Chunguang & Sarkis, Joseph, 2022. "Blockchain technology and supply chains: The paradox of the atheoretical research discourse," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    9. Adeeb Noor, 2022. "Adoption of Blockchain Technology Facilitates a Competitive Edge for Logistic Service Providers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-18, November.
    10. Christian Straubert & Eric Sucky, 2021. "How Useful Is a Distributed Ledger for Tracking and Tracing in Supply Chains? A Systems Thinking Approach," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-18, October.
    11. Mubashir Hayat & Herwig Winkler, 2022. "From Traditional Product Lifecycle Management Systems to Blockchain-Based Platforms," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-14, June.

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