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The Unknown Potential of Blockchain for Sustainable Supply Chains

Author

Listed:
  • Vincenzo Varriale

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Antonello Cammarano

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Francesca Michelino

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

  • Mauro Caputo

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Italy)

Abstract

The growing attention to emerging technologies has raised several doubts regarding the sustainability aspects. Among the new technologies, blockchain has laid the foundations for a revolution in the financial field but also in the energy, tourism, medical, industrial and supply chains sectors. Through a systematic literature review, 37 documents were analyzed to describe the sustainable aspects generated using blockchain in supply chains. Therefore, the results achieved provide two levels of analysis. The former highlights the impact of the adoption of blockchain in supply chains based on the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, economic and social. The latter shows the positive and negative impacts of each form of sustainability. The purpose of the work is to summarize the current state of the art in order to propose a future development agenda based on the need to simulate and define a measurability for each dimension of sustainability. Finally, the study provides a broad overview of practical and managerial implications for entrepreneurs and researchers. On the one hand, the work shows how the use of blockchain improves the profits and reputation of companies. On the other hand, it highlights several research gaps to be investigated and considered by researchers.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2020. "The Unknown Potential of Blockchain for Sustainable Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9400-:d:443624
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Simon Wong & John-Kun-Woon Yeung & Yui-Yip Lau & Joseph So, 2021. "Technical Sustainability of Cloud-Based Blockchain Integrated with Machine Learning for Supply Chain Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, July.
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    5. Juan F. Prados-Castillo & Miguel Ángel Solano-Sánchez & Pilar Guaita Fernández & José Manuel Guaita Martínez, 2023. "Potential of the Crypto Economy in Financial Management and Fundraising for Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, March.
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    8. Harshad Sonar & Ayon Mukherjee & Angappa Gunasekaran & Rajesh Kr Singh, 2022. "Sustainable supply chain management of automotive sector in context to the circular economy: A strategic framework," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3635-3648, November.
    9. Feng, Yunting & Lai, Kee-hung & Zhu, Qinghua, 2022. "Green supply chain innovation: Emergence, adoption, and challenges," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    10. Antonello Cammarano & Vincenzo Varriale & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2022. "Open and Crowd-Based Platforms: Impact on Organizational and Market Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-26, February.
    11. Teresa Riso & Carla Morrone, 2023. "To Align Technological Advancement and Ethical Conduct: An Analysis of the Relationship between Digital Technologies and Sustainable Decision-Making Processes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-21, January.
    12. Ashish Dwivedi & Dindayal Agrawal & Sanjoy Kumar Paul & Saurabh Pratap, 2023. "Modeling the blockchain readiness challenges for product recovery system," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 493-537, August.
    13. Viviana D’Angelo & Valeria Belvedere, 2023. "Green Supply Chains and Digital Supply Chains: Identifying Overlapping Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, June.
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    15. Yasanur Kayikci & Nazlican Gozacan‐Chase & Abderahman Rejeb, 2024. "Blockchain entrepreneurship roles for circular supply chain transition," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 197-222, February.
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    18. Filipe Bandeiras & Álvaro Gomes & Mário Gomes & Paulo Coelho, 2023. "Exploring Energy Trading Markets in Smart Grid and Microgrid Systems and Their Implications for Sustainability in Smart Cities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-41, January.
    19. Adele Parmentola & Antonella Petrillo & Ilaria Tutore & Fabio De Felice, 2022. "Is blockchain able to enhance environmental sustainability? A systematic review and research agenda from the perspective of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 194-217, January.

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