Mitigating the risk of specific supply chain disruptions through blockchain technology

ABSTRACT

Research extends in all directions regarding the usage of blockchain technology in operations, logistics, and supply chain management. However, little is known about the role of blockchain in mitigating the risk of specific supply chain disruptions. Therefore, this paper investigates which disruptions in the supply chain can be mitigated through blockchain as well as how these issues can be alleviated. By utilising data collected from a systematic literature review, we find that blockchain mitigates disruptions that are related to specific supply and demand risks: behavioural uncertainties, poor information security, fraud and counterfeit risks, data loss and human errors, operational risks, transactional risks, foodborne illness risks, and information asymmetries. Blockchain is useful in these areas because, as a distributed ledger technology, it integrates the supply chain’s communication systems with a unified platform that improves information-sharing and processing capabilities. Our study represents a step towards improved understanding of blockchain’s positive impact in supply chain and information management-related fields.

KEYWORDS:

• Blockchain
• supply chain
• risk management
• literature review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1. https://www.tradelens.com/

2. https://www.ibm.com/blockchain/solutions/food-trust

3. https://www.originchainnetworks.com/

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rami Alkhudary

Rami Alkhudary is a research and teaching assistant at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, where he recently earned his Ph.D. in management science on the usage of blockchain technology in supply chains. Rami’s current research focuses on emerging technologies in supply chains and project management. His research has been recognised by several international conferences (Best Research Paper at PROLOG 2019) and published with Springer, International Journal of Project Management, European Business Review, and Harvard Business Review France. Also, he serves as a reviewer for several international journals and conferences, including the International Journal of Production Research, International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistique & Management, European Business Review, PROLOG 2021, and APMS 2022. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rami-Alkhudary-2

Maciel M. Queiroz

Maciel M. Queiroz is a Professor and Researcher of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Paulista University – UNIP. His current research focuses on digital supply chain capabilities, Industry 4.0, AI, blockchain, big data, and IoT. He has published papers in top-tier international journals and conferences, including the International Journal of Production Economics, International Journal of Information Management, International Journal of Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Annals of Operations Research, and Benchmarking, among others. Besides, Dr Maciel has been serving as a Guest Editor for leading journals, including the International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Journal of Business Logistics, International Journal of Production Research, Production Planning and Control, Annals of Operations Research, International Journal of Information Management, Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Industrial Management and Data Systems etc. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maciel_Queiroz

Pierre Féniès

Pierre Féniès is a full professor in logistics and supply chain management at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University. His research expertise is related to control management, logistics, supply chains, and business intelligence. Pierre’s various research and teaching activities have led him to improve software solutions and organisational decision-making processes using computers and related technologies. Pierre has worked in partnership with Braincube SAS (formerly IP Leanware) to develop industrial management intelligence solutions. Pierre’s research has been validated in several supply chains (industrial and medical) and published in top-tier peer-reviewed journals, including the International Journal of Production Economics, International Journal of Production Research, Supply Chain Forum and Production Planning and Control. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pierre_Fenies