Blockchain and Recordkeeping: Editorial

Abstract

Distributed ledger technologies (DLT), including blockchains, combine the use of cryptography and distributed networks to achieve a novel form of records creation and keeping designed for tamper-resistance and immutability. Over the past several years, these capabilities have made DLTs, including blockchains, increasingly popular as a general-purpose technology used for recordkeeping in a variety of sectors and industry domains, yet many open challenges and issues, both theoretical and applied, remain. This editorial introduces the Special Issue of Computers focusing on exploring the frontiers of blockchain/distributed ledger technology and recordkeeping.

Future libraries’ blockchain opportunities and challenges: a systematic literature review and research agenda

“… Establishing trust and protects privacy. Blockchain technology will provide a means for establishing trust in the validity of a library record, securing user records, document acquisitions and improving collections maintenance (Meth, 2020; Rubel, 2019; Smith, 2019; Ayre and Craner, 2019; Lemieux, 2017). Library verification of credentials.…”

“… Increases efficiency and integrity. The way transactions are recorded and authenticated is a significant strength of blockchain technology as it helps protect the integrity of records (Meth, 2020; Lemieux, 2017). Blockchain has real potential to bring more efficiency and security.…”

“…Blockchain technology is immediately applicable to the peer-review process and the chain of custody for digital repositories in academic libraries. It is also appropriate in various information-sharing scenarios within an enterprise, especially if the content is restricted or classified, like in corporate, government or other special libraries where security is crucial (Meth, 2020; Smith, 2019; Lemieux, 2017). Building a distributed, permission-less metadata.…”

Adaptability of blockchain-based E-Procurement system in Sri Lankan construction projects

“…The blockchain is a safe and efficient distributed ledger system for sharing data across multiple geographical locations without a single point of control, eliminating intermediaries, and ensuring trust in an untrustworthy environment (Guegan, 2017). There are various applications and services linked with blockchains and distributed ledgers that contribute to their use, such as applications that operate over blockchain networks and allow users to interact with them easily (Lemieux, 2017).…”

“…Smart contracts, which are self-executing contracts written into a blockchain network, enable confidence in a trustless internet environment without the need for an intermediary (Alharbyet al, 2018). Lemieux (2017) stated that smart contract code governs which transactions and what information is stored in the blockchain. Furthermore, many types of contractual conditions can be made partially or entirely self-executing and selfenforcing with smart contracts.…”