Interoperability approaches of blockchain technology for supply chain systems

Abstract

PurposeThis work focuses on the interoperability of the blockchain from the viewpoint of its technological evolution in the wider context of supply chain systems. Interoperability concerns the most since it is among the most persevering problems in the process of blockchain adaptation. The study aims to trace and pinpoint all the different methods that affect the interoperability of blockchains, gather all the obtainable evidence and recognize gaps in between the applicable approaches mentioned across the contemporary academic literature.Design/methodology/approachAn analysis is done of seven interoperability approaches based on their relevance, practical usefulness and adoption processes concerning the blockchain. Mainly, this work examines interoperability from several different perspectives. An interoperability modular decomposition via a layered model has been defined through the level of conceptual interoperability (LCIM) and level of information system interoperability (LISI), which represent the most popular metrics with regard to assessing the level of interoperability from a qualitative level.FindingsGenerally, the findings of this work are directed in two major aspects: Firstly, it expands the research around blockchain technology interoperability by providing crucial background information and pinpointing important connotations for both industrial and academic environments. It also defines and analyzes several different approaches toward the blockchain platform's interoperability. Secondly, it also identifies and proposes several scenarios that take advantage of multiple blockchain application approaches, highlights various issues and challenges to the evolution of interoperability standards and solutions and indicates the desired areas of further research.Originality/valueAn essential aspect of the originality of this paper is that, contrary to other work contributions, this work summarized the different interoperability approaches for blockchain in supply chain systems. Mainly, seven approaches were discussed for practitioners and researchers, and the open issues and future research direction were considered.

Internet of things, big data analytics and operational performance: the mediating effect of supply chain visibility

“…In the era of digital transformation, looking at RBV has become an important theoretical lens to understand the efficient use of resources. Utilizing RBV achieves the highest levels of OP using knowledge, data and information management capabilities within organizations to enhance competitive advantages (Al-Rakhami and Al-Mashari, 2022).…”

“…Industry 4.0 applications, especially IoT and BDA, offer wide opportunities for achieving business growth (Al-Rakhami and Al-Mashari, 2022) by improving monitoring and control processes and working to implement the accurate standards provided by these applications in a way that enhances the firms' capacity to enhance their OP in the supply chain (Castelo-Branco et al. , 2019).…”

“…Industry 4.0 applications, especially IoT and BDA, offer wide opportunities for achieving business growth (Al-Rakhami and Al-Mashari, 2022) by improving monitoring and control processes and working to implement the accurate standards provided by these applications in a way that enhances the firms' capacity to enhance their OP in the supply chain (Castelo-Branco et al, 2019). IoT technologies enable firms to control machines, manufacturing activities and other activities in the supply chain in real time and provide an interactive platform among different devices and machines through a set of interconnected networks (Saez et al, 2018).…”

Mediation approach of knowledge management process towards supply chain performance under green technology: an empirical analysis

“…They showed that the behavioral influence of top administration and consumer involvement mediate relationships between green supply chain processes and organizational performance. The supply chain process is analyzed based on the interoperability of different applicable approaches (Al-Rakhami and Al-Mashari, 2022). The study's outcome integrated that by two major aspects: blockchain technology provides critical information to improve the industrial and academic environment of the supply chain.…”

Blockchain adoption in agri-food supply chain management: an empirical study of the main drivers using extended UTAUT

“…Furthermore, blockchain technology can facilitate cooperation among members of the supply chain (Di Vaio and Varriale, 2020; Xue et al ., 2020) with a positive effect on cost and efficiency in the supply chain. Moreover, the characteristic of traceability, transparency and verifiability of are some of the dimensional features of blockchain that can help to enhance consumer trust and prevention of product fraud during the entire journey of supply chain operations (Biswas et al ., 2017; Al-Rakhami and Al-Mashari, 2022; Tang et al ., 2022). Blockchain technology is a revolutionary approach.…”