International Workshop on Successful Strategies in Supply Chain Management Sample Template Paper
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iwspe2018 wang 038 Final
5.
Conclusion This research set out to explore how blockchain technology may transform supply chains. We did so by exploring the answers to two RQs, i.e. why is blockchain technology important to logistics and supply chain sector (RQ1) and where are disruptions mostly likely to occur (RQ2). Via a comprehensive literature review and 14 expert interviews, we found that the perceived benefits such as improved tracking and traceability in an end-to-end supply chain and efficiency gains through automation and reduction of complexities are the main motivational factors that help to explain why blockchain matters to supply chain. We further identify areas where blockchain may penetrate in supply chains, namely, supply chain tracing and tracking, supply chain disintermediation, simplification and digitalisation of supply chain process and smart contract. We also reveal challenges to its further diffusion. We contribute to the literature by articulating the reasons why blockchain technology is important to supply chain management and by locating areas where it may bring value to supply chain. Our research thereby offers valuable insights to both practitioners and academics in this field to prepare them to embrace this emerging technological innovation. Our research has a few limitations. First, the literature review only covers the five-year time window. Though we are confident of the scope and quality of our review process, given the fast development of blockchain, it is likely that we may have omitted some publications that are relevant to the subject. Our second limitation is the limited number of expert interviewees. Though appropriate for an explorative study, a more diverse range of participants will result in more robust findings and more in-depth understanding of the subject. Given the infancy nature of blockchain, there are plenty of research opportunities for future. For example, one interesting avenue for research is to examine whether blockchain will revolutionise the concept of trust in supply chain. Traditionally to build trust, companies need to establish long- term relationship with their supply chain partners or via mutual investment in the supply chain. Yet with blockchain, companies perhaps do not have to ‘trust’ their partners to the same degree as you do with traditional supply chain partners, given that trust is pre-built in a blockchain system. Studies could also explore how digital currency/cryptocurrency could affect the cash flow and supply chain structure. It is not impossible if supply chain partners start to trade and settle their payment using cryptocurrency. For instance one company may wish to pay the other in accessing to massive amount of data generated by Internet of Things devices. Research looking into how blockchain may disintegrate or reintegrate supply chains (i.e. by removing intermediaries) is also worthwhile. Different theoretical lenses and multi- methodological approaches should be deployed to understand the phenomenon and disruptions blockchain may further contribute to our understanding of blockchain and its further diffusion in supply chain. Currently acclaimed benefits from blockchain are mostly speculative and lack of empirical evidences, a longitudinal study following its pre-adoption, implementation and routinisation into supply chains will help to demystify and justify the value of blockchain to real practices. Finally, the dark side of blockchain (legal, ethical and security issues) needs to be explored, particularly in areas such as supply chain governance. Download 0.65 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |
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