IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i22p9400-d443624.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/22/9400/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/22/9400/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Taehyun Ko & Jaeram Lee & Doojin Ryu, 2018. "Blockchain Technology and Manufacturing Industry: Real-Time Transparency and Cost Savings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Sajjad Rahmanzadeh & Mir Saman Pishvaee & Mohammad Reza Rasouli, 2020. "Integrated innovative product design and supply chain tactical planning within a blockchain platform," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2242-2262, April.
    3. Sachin Kamble & Angappa Gunasekaran & Himanshu Arha, 2019. "Understanding the Blockchain technology adoption in supply chains-Indian context," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 2009-2033, April.
    4. Sara Saberi & Mahtab Kouhizadeh & Joseph Sarkis & Lejia Shen, 2019. "Blockchain technology and its relationships to sustainable supply chain management," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 2117-2135, April.
    5. Francesca Michelino & Antonello Cammarano & Andrea Celone & Mauro Caputo, 2019. "The Linkage between Sustainability and Innovation Performance in IT Hardware Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(16), pages 1-15, August.
    6. Choi, Tsan-Ming, 2019. "Blockchain-technology-supported platforms for diamond authentication and certification in luxury supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 17-29.
    7. Mahtab Kouhizadeh & Joseph Sarkis, 2018. "Blockchain Practices, Potentials, and Perspectives in Greening Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-16, October.
    8. Yanling Chang & Eleftherios Iakovou & Weidong Shi, 2020. "Blockchain in global supply chains and cross border trade: a critical synthesis of the state-of-the-art, challenges and opportunities," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2082-2099, April.
    9. Thays A. Oliveira & Miquel Oliver & Helena Ramalhinho, 2020. "Challenges for Connecting Citizens and Smart Cities: ICT, E-Governance and Blockchain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, April.
    10. Hughes, Alex & Park, Andrew & Kietzmann, Jan & Archer-Brown, Chris, 2019. "Beyond Bitcoin: What blockchain and distributed ledger technologies mean for firms," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 273-281.
    11. Montecchi, Matteo & Plangger, Kirk & Etter, Michael, 2019. "It’s real, trust me! Establishing supply chain provenance using blockchain," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 283-293.
    12. Mehrdokht Pournader & Yangyan Shi & Stefan Seuring & S.C. Lenny Koh, 2020. "Blockchain applications in supply chains, transport and logistics: a systematic review of the literature," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2063-2081, April.
    13. Antonio Manuel Ciruela-Lorenzo & Ana Rosa Del-Aguila-Obra & Antonio Padilla-Meléndez & Juan José Plaza-Angulo, 2020. "Digitalization of Agri-Cooperatives in the Smart Agriculture Context. Proposal of a Digital Diagnosis Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    14. Wang, Yingli & Singgih, Meita & Wang, Jingyao & Rit, Mihaela, 2019. "Making sense of blockchain technology: How will it transform supply chains?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 221-236.
    15. Marjaneh Jahangiri Lahkani & Shouyang Wang & Mariusz Urbański & Mariya Egorova, 2020. "Sustainable B2B E-Commerce and Blockchain-Based Supply Chain Finance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, May.
    16. Aiya Li & Xianhua Wei & Zhou He, 2020. "Robust Proof of Stake: A New Consensus Protocol for Sustainable Blockchain Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-15, April.
    17. Chunguang Bai & Joseph Sarkis, 2020. "A supply chain transparency and sustainability technology appraisal model for blockchain technology," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2142-2162, April.
    18. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Luo, Suyuan, 2019. "Data quality challenges for sustainable fashion supply chain operations in emerging markets: Roles of blockchain, government sponsors and environment taxes," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 139-152.
    19. Gabriella M. Hastig & ManMohan S. Sodhi, 2020. "Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability: Business Requirements and Critical Success Factors," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(4), pages 935-954, April.
    20. Gunasekaran, A. & Ngai, E.W.T. & McGaughey, R.E., 2006. "Information technology and systems justification: A review for research and applications," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 173(3), pages 957-983, September.
    21. V. K. Manupati & Tobias Schoenherr & M. Ramkumar & Stephan M. Wagner & Sai Krishna Pabba & R. Inder Raj Singh, 2020. "A blockchain-based approach for a multi-echelon sustainable supply chain," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2222-2241, April.
    22. Pasquale Giungato & Roberto Rana & Angela Tarabella & Caterina Tricase, 2017. "Current Trends in Sustainability of Bitcoins and Related Blockchain Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-11, November.
    23. Yang, Chung-Shan, 2019. "Maritime shipping digitalization: Blockchain-based technology applications, future improvements, and intention to use," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 108-117.
    24. Bing Qing Tan & Fangfang Wang & Jia Liu & Kai Kang & Federica Costa, 2020. "A Blockchain-Based Framework for Green Logistics in Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, June.
    25. Joon-Seok Kim & Nina Shin, 2019. "The Impact of Blockchain Technology Application on Supply Chain Partnership and Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-17, November.
    26. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Gawankar, Shradha A., 2020. "Achieving sustainable performance in a data-driven agriculture supply chain: A review for research and applications," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 179-194.
    27. Marsal-Llacuna, Maria-Lluïsa, 2020. "The people's smart city dashboard (PSCD): Delivering on community-led governance with blockchain," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2021. "Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain, IoT and RFID: A Simulation on Order Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, June.
    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.
    3. Quanpeng Chen & Xiaogang Chen, 2023. "Blockchain-Enabled Supply Chain Internal and External Finance Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-33, July.
    4. Xue Han & Pratibha Rani, 2022. "RETRACTED ARTICLE: Evaluate the barriers of blockchain technology adoption in sustainable supply chain management in the manufacturing sector using a novel Pythagorean fuzzy-CRITIC-CoCoSo approach," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 725-742, December.
    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.
    6. Timo Rogalski & Dirk Schiereck, 2024. "When is blockchain worth it? Value and risk drivers of corporate blockchain announcements," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-24, December.
    7. Nassim Mrabti & Nadia Hamani & Laurent Delahoche, 2022. "A Comprehensive Literature Review on Sustainable Horizontal Collaboration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-38, September.
    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. Arpit Singh & Ashish Dwivedi & Dindayal Agrawal & Surajit Bag & Anurag Chauhan, 2024. "Can sustainable and digital objectives synchronize? A study of ESG activities for digital supply chains using multi‐methods," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(8), pages 8413-8435, December.
    12. 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.
    13. 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.
    14. 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.
    15. Chris Roberts & Joel Reynolds & Mary Jo Dolasinski, 2022. "Meta-Analysis of Tourism Sustainability Research: 2019–2021," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-18, March.
    16. 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.
    17. Antonello Cammarano & Vincenzo Varriale & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2023. "Blockchain as enabling factor for implementing RFID and IoT technologies in VMI: a simulation on the Parmigiano Reggiano supply chain," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 726-754, June.
    18. Sumit Kumar Rana & Hee-Cheol Kim & Subhendu Kumar Pani & Sanjeev Kumar Rana & Moon-Il Joo & Arun Kumar Rana & Satyabrata Aich, 2021. "Blockchain-Based Model to Improve the Performance of the Next-Generation Digital Supply Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-16, September.
    19. 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.
    20. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Vineet Paliwal & Shalini Chandra & Suneel Sharma, 2020. "Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review and a Classification Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-39, September.
    2. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2021. "Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain, IoT and RFID: A Simulation on Order Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Dutta, Pankaj & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Somani, Surabhi & Butala, Richa, 2020. "Blockchain technology in supply chain operations: Applications, challenges and research opportunities," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    4. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Steve Simske & Horst Treiblmaier, 2021. "Blockchain Technologies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-28, October.
    5. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Siqin, Tana, 2022. "Blockchain in logistics and production from Blockchain 1.0 to Blockchain 5.0: An intra-inter-organizational framework," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    6. Arim Park & Huan Li, 2021. "The Effect of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Sustainability Performances," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, February.
    7. Amin Vafadarnikjoo & Hadi Badri Ahmadi & James J. H. Liou & Tiago Botelho & Konstantinos Chalvatzis, 2023. "Analyzing blockchain adoption barriers in manufacturing supply chains by the neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 129-156, August.
    8. Qingyu Zhang & Salman Khan & Safeer Ullah Khan & Ikram Ullah Khan, 2023. "Understanding Blockchain Technology Adoption in Operation and Supply Chain Management of Pakistan: Extending UTAUT Model With Technology Readiness, Technology Affinity and Trust," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, October.
    9. Davies, Jennifer & Sharifi, Hossein & Lyons, Andrew & Forster, Rick & Elsayed, Omar Khaled Shokry Mohamed, 2024. "Non-fungible tokens: The missing ingredient for sustainable supply chains in the metaverse age?," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    10. Kirti Nayal & Rakesh D. Raut & Balkrishna E. Narkhede & Pragati Priyadarshinee & Gajanan B. Panchal & Vidyadhar V. Gedam, 2023. "Antecedents for blockchain technology-enabled sustainable agriculture supply chain," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 293-337, August.
    11. Antonello Cammarano & Vincenzo Varriale & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2023. "Blockchain as enabling factor for implementing RFID and IoT technologies in VMI: a simulation on the Parmigiano Reggiano supply chain," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 726-754, June.
    12. Montecchi, Matteo & Plangger, Kirk & West, Douglas C., 2021. "Supply chain transparency: A bibliometric review and research agenda," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    13. Ulpan Tokkozhina & Ana Lucia Martins & Joao C. Ferreira, 2023. "Uncovering dimensions of the impact of blockchain technology in supply chain management," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 99-125, March.
    14. Saumyaranjan Sahoo & Satish Kumar & Uthayasankar Sivarajah & Weng Marc Lim & J. Christopher Westland & Ashwani Kumar, 2024. "Blockchain for sustainable supply chain management: trends and ways forward," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 1563-1618, September.
    15. Jacob Lohmer & Elias Ribeiro da Silva & Rainer Lasch, 2022. "Blockchain Technology in Operations & Supply Chain Management: A Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-88, May.
    16. Yuling Sun & Xiaomei Song & Yihao Jiang & Jian Guo, 2023. "Strategy Analysis of Fresh Agricultural Enterprises in a Competitive Circumstance: The Impact of Blockchain and Consumer Traceability Preferences," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-18, February.
    17. 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).
    18. Mangla, Sachin Kumar & Kazancoglu, Yigit & Ekinci, Esra & Liu, Mengqi & Özbiltekin, Melisa & Sezer, Muruvvet Deniz, 2021. "Using system dynamics to analyze the societal impacts of blockchain technology in milk supply chainsrefer," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    19. Niu, Baozhuang & Dong, Jian & Liu, Yaoqi, 2021. "Incentive alignment for blockchain adoption in medicine supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    20. Atanu Chaudhuri & Manjot Singh Bhatia & Yasanur Kayikci & Kiran J. Fernandes & Samuel Fosso-Wamba, 2023. "Improving social sustainability and reducing supply chain risks through blockchain implementation: role of outcome and behavioural mechanisms," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 401-433, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9400-:d:443624. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.