Supply Chain Sustainability Management Through Blockchain Technology in Maritime Industry

In recent years, the interdisciplinary research of supply chains and sustainability has received extensive, yet gradual, attention; when compared to the rapid economic growth of the service industry, however, sustainable supply chain management has not been systematically explored yet. It has not only great theoretical significance, but also positive practical significance to provide a framework for the operation of a sustainable service supply chain from a sustainable development point of view. Based on the triple bottom line (TBL), we have analyzed related sustainable supply chain management research between 2006 and 2015, reviewed papers involving two or three bottom lines as well, and then introduced some classical frameworks for manufacturing supply chain management and service supply chain management. Afterward, by analyzing the differences between the manufacturing and service industries, we propose a framework of sustainable service supply chain management (SSSCM). Based on the impacts of sustainable development TBL on service supply chain participants, we have finally made a framework for sustainable operation facing triads service supply chain and proposed a future research agenda.

Purpose This study critically examines the claim that blockchain technology (BCT) can create a trustless system in supply chain management (SCM). It explores the nuanced relationship between trust and BCT, offering empirical insights into how trust is shaped when BCT is introduced in sustainability-oriented supply chains. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a multiple case study approach, the research investigates three blockchain initiatives in the steel, copper and mango supply chains. Drawing on 11 in-depth interviews and guided by the conceptualisations and frameworks in inter-organisational trust literature, the study analyses trust from two angles: trust in SC partners and trust in the technology itself. Findings The study shows that BCT cannot fully eliminate the need for trust in today’s supply chains. Instead, it changes how trust works, affecting both relationships between SC partners and trust in the technology itself. Openness and transparency are seen as key factors that build trust in the context of blockchain-based SCM, especially when used to support shared sustainability goals. Traditional elements of trust, such as competence, goodwill and integrity, are still important antecedents. At the same time, trust in the technology depends on how well it functions, how dependable it is and how helpful it proves to be. These dimensions influence whether Blockchain is adopted and also evolve as the technology is used. Practical implications The framework and research propositions developed in this study can help SC managers critically assess whether Blockchain is truly valuable for their operations rather than simply following the hype. Managers are offered practical methods to assess trust in both SC partners and the technology itself, especially during early proof of concepts or pilot projects. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by offering a multidimensional and reciprocal framework for understanding trust in Blockchain-enabled supply chains. It shows how trust flows both between partners and toward the technology itself. The framework is grounded in real-world cases and offers research propositions specifically relevant to SCM with a sustainability focus.

The supply chain network is one of the most important areas of focus in the majority of business circumstances. Blockchain technology is a feasible choice for secure information sharing in a supply chain network. Despite the fact that maintaining security at all levels of the blockchain is difficult, cryptographic methods are commonly used in existing works. Effective supply chain management (SCM) offers various benefits to organizations, such as enhanced customer satisfaction, increased operational efficiency, competitive advantage, and cost reduction. Potential SCM for agricultural and food supply chains needs distributors, coordination and collaboration among farmers, retailers, and stakeholders. The use of technology like Block Chain (BC), sensors, and data analytics, can boost traceability and visibility, decrease waste, and ensure safety and quality throughout the supply chain. Therefore, this study develops a Hunger Games Search Optimization with Deep Learning Model for Sustainable agricultural and food Supply Chain Management (HGSODL-ASCM) technique. The fundamental goal of the HGSODL-ASCM technique is to improve decision-making processes for agricultural and food commodity production and storage in order to optimise revenue. In the provided HGSODL-ASCM technique, a bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) model is built to determine the amount of productivity and storage required to maximise profit. In order to boost the performance of the Bi-LSTM classification process, the HGSO algorithm has been utilized in this work. The presented HGSODL-ASCM technique can independently achieve the SCM policies via interaction with complicated and adaptive environments. A brief set of simulations were performed to ensure the improved performance of the HGSODL-ASCM technique. The simulation results demonstrated how superior the HGSODL-ASCM method is to other methods already in use.

The global supply chain landscape is experiencing transformative change due to the escalating impacts of climate change, which disrupt traditional models and pose risks to supply chain resilience. In response, Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) has emerged as a key strategy that integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations into supply chain practices. This paper explores the interdisciplinary convergence of environmental science and business logistics, highlighting how such integration can enhance supply chain adaptability and long-term sustainability. Using a comprehensive literature review, secondary data analysis, and relevant case studies, the study investigates the effects of climate disruptions on global supply chains and examines innovative SSCM practices such as green procurement, circular supply chains, and renewable energy integration. Findings demonstrate that companies adopting SSCM approaches especially those investing in clean technologies and collaborative environmental strategies are better equipped to mitigate risks and gain competitive advantages. Key case studies from firms like Unilever, IKEA, and Walmart underscore the practical benefits of sustainability-focused supply chains. Additionally, the role of digital transformation technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and predictive analytics is discussed as an enabler of traceability and transparency. This study concludes by providing actionable recommendations for both business practitioners and policymakers, while also identifying areas for future interdisciplinary research in SSCM, such as emerging technologies and regional adaptation strategies. The proposed framework emphasizes the need for systemic shifts in supply chain thinking to align with climate resilience and sustainability imperatives.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assess if blockchain technology, which is hailed for its potential to improve supply chain transparency and efficiency, can deliver to this promise (Abreu et al., 2021; Mahyuni et al., 2020; Manzoor et al., 2022; Rennie, 2022; Yiannas, 2018). Supply chains are increasingly complex and full transparency is difficult to achieve and may sometimes be undesired, yet governments worldwide are demanding more transparency especially with respect to the social and environmental sustainability of supply chains (Francisco & Swanson, 2018; Franke, 2021; Najjar, 2021). If blockchain technology allows to close this gap, without compromising corporate confidentiality and efficiency requirements, it might change supply chain management drastically. Most other research in this field remains rather superficial with respect to the fundamentals of blockchain technology and supply chain management. Our study will add to the very limited theoretically founded research on blockchain potentials in supply chains.Study Design: Our paper is conceptual. Based on the extant literature, we compare blockchain technology and its advantages to the characteristics of supply chains and challenges of supply chain management to identify a theoretical fit. We investigate if published case studies of blockchain technology in supply chain management support this. Finally, we devise a conceptual framework for the application of blockchain technology in supply chain management.Findings: There is, currently, very limited use for blockchain technology in supply chain management. It does not provide an answer to several of the challenges that exist in supply chain management. Blockchain technology was primarily devised as encryption technology for virtual entities and transactions involving them and not for tangible objects. Published case studies describing the use of blockchain technology in supply chain management do not contradict these findings.They rely on private blockchain solutions lacking the key benefits of blockchain technology. Our conceptual framework constitutes a reference for a future public blockchain solution for supply chains. It offers solutions for some of the challenges but also cannot solve some fundamental challenges, like power imbalances in supply chains.Limitations: Blockchain technology undergoes rapid development. Future blockchain technology may be faster, less energy-intensive and more integrated with other technologies. This may be aided by developments in hardware, like quantum computing. The findings of this paper are limited to currently available technology.Implications: Companies and governments alike should be very cautious when considering investing in currently available blockchain solutions for supply chain management.

The purpose of this research is to investigate how sustainability is integrated into supply chain management (SCM). Emphasis is particularly devoted to determining how the sustainability of supply chains may be assessed. Four key objectives were developed to support this purpose: (1) define sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), (2) identify and analyze the published metrics for SSCM, (3) develop a comprehensive approach for assessing sustainability performance at the company level, and (4) develop an integrative sustainability performance framework for the broader context of supply chain. The first two objectives were accomplished through two different sets of in-depth literature reviews. The reviews focused on analyzing the convergences and divergences in the literature on green supply chain management (GSCM), SSCM, and the metrics used in these areas. The reviews helped provide the basis for accomplishing the remaining research objectives. Accordingly, stochastic models for measuring sustainability performance at the company and supply chain levels were developed. This research addresses several important gaps in the literature. As research on the integration of sustainability into SCM continues to expand, it becomes increasingly important to highlight the inconsistencies in the various definitions and metrics used to measure GSCM and SSCM. The lack of reasonably consistent definitions and metrics may lead to confusion regarding the appropriate scope in theory and practice of SSCM initiatives. Exploring the implications of and potential resolutions to the many differences in the published definitions and metrics provide much needed reference points, and further provide the foundation necessary to support the development of scientifically-sound sustainability models. By providing relatively simple and informative measurement, the model developed in Objective 3 presents a unique method of adopting the strong sustainability concept to assessing sustainability at the company level. Furthermore, by providing an original and straightforward analytical approach, the SSCM models developed in Objective 4 are one of the first to explicitly adopt probabilistic approaches for sustainability assessment in the supply chain context. Given their unique ability to accommodate any number of SSCM characteristics, the models can be employed as integrative, multi-dimensional tools for evaluating changes in the sustainability status of a supply chain over time.

The purpose of this research is to investigate how sustainability is integrated into supply chain management (SCM). Emphasis is particularly devoted to determining how the sustainability of supply chains may be assessed. Four key objectives were developed to support this purpose: (1) define sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), (2) identify and analyze the published metrics for SSCM, (3) develop a comprehensive approach for assessing sustainability performance at the company level, and (4) develop an integrative sustainability performance framework for the broader context of supply chain. The first two objectives were accomplished through two different sets of in-depth literature reviews. The reviews focused on analyzing the convergences and divergences in the literature on green supply chain management (GSCM), SSCM, and the metrics used in these areas. The reviews helped provide the basis for accomplishing the remaining research objectives. Accordingly, stochastic models for measuring sustainability performance at the company and supply chain levels were developed. This research addresses several important gaps in the literature. As research on the integration of sustainability into SCM continues to expand, it becomes increasingly important to highlight the inconsistencies in the various definitions and metrics used to measure GSCM and SSCM. The lack of reasonably consistent definitions and metrics may lead to confusion regarding the appropriate scope in theory and practice of SSCM initiatives. Exploring the implications of and potential resolutions to the many differences in the published definitions and metrics provide much needed reference points, and further provide the foundation necessary to support the development of scientifically-sound sustainability models. By providing relatively simple and informative measurement, the model developed in Objective 3 presents a unique method of adopting the strong sustainability concept to assessing sustainability at the company level. Furthermore, by providing an original and straightforward analytical approach, the SSCM models developed in Objective 4 are one of the first to explicitly adopt probabilistic approaches for sustainability assessment in the supply chain context. Given their unique ability to accommodate any number of SSCM characteristics, the models can be employed as integrative, multi-dimensional tools for evaluating changes in the sustainability status of a supply chain over time.

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify key categories of Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) and related practices that are required to fulfill the demands of sustainability and, therefore, contributing to sustainability performance. As part of this, the authors will identify different approaches in practice implementation in SSCM and supply chain management (SCM). SSCM has become a topic of great interest and is linked to the assumption that a more sustainable performance for businesses would be achieved on its implementation. Such performance has to be achieved with respect to all three dimensions of sustainability. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is conceptual in nature. The authors draw from literature on SSCM and examine frameworks and critical accounts on the topic. This allows identifying key aspects of SSCM and pointing out differences and overlaps with SCM. Findings – The authors identify five key categories which are of high importance for the sustainable management of supply chains: orientation toward SCM and sustainability, continuity, collaboration, risk management and proactivity. In a second step, the authors describe distinctive practices which allow organizations to follow the goals formulated in the five key categories. Finally, they highlight issues preventing companies that follow a rather “conventional” approach to SCM to reach the level where it can be called SSCM, i.e. how to reach sustainability performance in SCM. Research limitations/implications – The work presented is conceptual in nature. It would be required to operationalize respective categories and, therefore, test them in empirical research. Practical implications – The categories and practices identified within the framework can be used for guiding managers toward the implementation of SSCM. This is the case when management takes performance implication into account without solely considering rather simplistic indicators. At the same time, differentiating a company based on the implementation of sustainability practices has become more difficult, due to the proliferation of sustainability in a wider field. Social implications – Social aspects are integrated into the framework on the same level as environmental and economic aspects, emphasizing the triple bottom line orientation. Originality/value – While all practices applied in SSCM have originally been identified and described by researchers for the case of “conventional” SCM, their particular interrelation and joint implementation makes up SSCM and ensures a contribution to sustainability performance.

Recently, there has been a notable surge in the intricate complexities of global supply chain management (SCM), which is gaining researchers’ attention. Supply chain sustainability is put at risk by security issues in blockchain technology that affect everything from infrastructure to management. For sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), these elements are deemed crucial. To address this, the purpose of this research is to examine the impact of blockchain security factors on SSCM among United Kingdom manufacturing firms. Based on the resource-based view (RBV) theory and the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework, the research hypotheses and framework were developed. To achieve the research objectives, a hybrid approach that combines structural equation modelling and artificial neural networks (ANNs) was adopted to perform the analysis. The research findings indicate that privacy, network, confidentiality, and managerial factors are vital to promoting SSCM. Furthermore, the ANN analysis highlights that managerial (trust management) and supplier privacy factors are the most important constructs. Unlike prior research that theoretically assumed that all relationships are linear, this has been a novel study that has successfully validated that there exists a nonlinear relationship between the RBV theory and the TOE framework. Based on the outcomes, the study’s contributions, its practical implications, and future research avenues are discussed.

As global supply chains become increasingly complex, traditional systems face challenges in ensuring efficiency, transparency, and innovation. Block chain technology has emerged as a transformative force in addressing these issues, offering a decentralized and secure framework for supply chain management. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the impact of block chain on supply chains, focusing on its potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and foster innovation. The efficiency gains facilitated by block chain in supply chain management are examined through the elimination of intermediaries, reduction of paperwork, and real-time visibility into the entire process. These improvements result in streamlined operations, reduced costs, and enhanced responsiveness to market dynamics. Moreover, block chain’s decentralized nature ensures data integrity, mitigating the risk of fraud and errors in the supply chain. Transparency is a critical aspect of modern supply chains, and block chain provides an immutable and transparent ledger that enables end-to-end visibility. The technology ensures traceability and accountability, allowing stakeholders to access real-time information about the origin, movement, and status of products. This transparency not only enhances trust among supply chain participants but also facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements. The role of block chain in fostering innovation within supply chains is explored, emphasizing its potential to enable new business models, collaborative ecosystems, and the integration of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The paper highlights case studies and pilot projects where block chain has been successfully applied to drive innovation in supply chain processes. Challenges and considerations related to the implementation of block chain in supply chain management are also discussed, including interoperability, scalability, and regulatory issues. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions and emphasizing the need for industry-wide collaboration to unlock the full potential of block chain in revolutionizing supply chain management. Overall, this review contributes to the understanding of how block chain can serve as a catalyst for efficiency, transparency, and innovation in contemporary supply chains

Improving supply chain sustainability is an essential part of achieving the UN’s sustainable goals. Digitalization, such as blockchain technology, shows the potential to reshape supply chain management. Using distributed ledger technology, the blockchain platform provides a digital system and database to record the transactions along the supply chain. This decentralized database of transactions brings transparency, reliability, traceability, and efficiency to the supply chain management. This paper focuses on such novel blockchain-based supply chain management and its sustainability performances in the areas of environmental protection, social equity, and governance efficiency. Using a systematic literature review and two case studies, we evaluate whether the three sustainability indicators can be improved indirectly along supply chains based on blockchain technology. Our study shows that blockchain technology has the potential to improve supply chain sustainability performance, and we expect blockchain technology to rise in popularity in supply chain management.

Purpose of the paper : This paper aims to identify the main features of sustainability in supply chain management studies. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted, taking 41 papers published from 2007 to 2014 into account. Findings : 41 articles coherent with the research question were identified, with the key issues being highlighted for each one. A fundamental aspect investigated in the literature on sustainability in supply chain management was the performance that concerned all members along the supply chain in a collaborative approach. Research limits : This study could be further explored through a deeper empirical analysis of sustainability in supply chain management. Practical implications : Both academics and practitioners may find this literature review useful, as it highlights the main features of sustainability in supply chain management studies. Of particular importance is the performance measurement of sustainability, which has positive feedback on business performance, and its ability to create competitive advantage. Originality of the paper : A great number of interesting topics related to sustainability in supply chain management have arisen and are worth deepening. These can be profitably extended by academics and developed in various application areas of managerial interest.

Literature on sustainability governance of supply chains typically maintains that supplying organizations can be treated as a homogenous group, and that sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) entails a unanimous set of practices. In this paper, we expose the diversity of SSCM practices and explore how organizational sustainability identities (OSI) act as their drivers. Through a comparative qualitative inquiry comprising organizations from food and metal products supply chains, we find that OSI of SSCM-practicing organizations affect i) which types of suppliers are perceived as relevant to engage in SSCM, ii) what sustainability criteria are applied to suppliers, and iii) how they are managed in diverse ways to contribute to sustainability transitions. We present a model of OSI co-construction which shows how the diversity of SSCM practices unfolds through three process dimensions, namely OSI balancing, OSI translation, and OSI structuration. This model and the empirical insights obtained document and clarify the previously unexplored link between organizational identity and impacts through SSCM practices.

Management of supply chains is critical in today's global business environment. Sustainability is among the most important factors in business activities and supply chain management. The integration of supply chain management with the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, environmental and social) has led to the emergence of sustainable supply chain management. Sustainable supply chain management is the management of supply chain operations, resources, information and funds to maximize social welfare and supply chain profitability while minimizing environmental impacts. Today, businesses are increasingly held responsible for the environmental, social and economic consequences resulting from their internal operations and the operations of their suppliers. Sustainable supply chain management is not just for businesses to survive; it also answers questions about what needs to be done to develop and succeed in the long term. This study focuses on establishing a broad theoretical framework on sustainable supply chain management. In addition, the study aims to help top management decisions in businesses by mentioning the sustainability strategies and practices of supply chain management, the advantages and challenges of sustainable supply chain management.

Implementation and adoption of new technologies are gaining the result of smooth supply chain and logistics operations. Internet of things (IoT) artificial intelligence, including data mining, intensified in all fields of life, particularly in supply chain management and operations. Blockchain technology has the capability to reform the supply chain and logistics operations management. Blockchain provides digital database solutions for all transactions across supply chain and operations management. Radio frequency identification device (RFID) is also helping technology transmit electromagnetic waves to radio-compatible integrated circuits to look after and manage the entire supply chain and logistics operations management. The Fourth Industry Revolution 4.0 refers to the automation, interconnectivity, machine learning, and real-time data that help supply chain and logistics operations management in the 21st century.