Blockchain Applications in the Next Generation of Business Models

A special issue of Information (ISSN 2078-2489). This special issue belongs to the section "Information Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2020) | Viewed by 27384

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: industrial engineering; dependability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the past few years, “blockchain” has become one of the most popular words in the field of technology. A blockchain is a distributed database that does not require a central authority to be maintained and that cannot be tampered with or hacked. Transparency, traceability, efficiency, and security are some of the benefits promised by blockchain technology. Thanks to these few valuable features, the blockchain paradigm is now overwhelming all sectors connected to industrial development, as it holds the potential to disrupt the traditional business models characterizing the supply chain, the manufacturing and service industries.

The goal of this Special Issue is to collect research contributions or recent developments on industrial case studies, applications, methodologies, or strategies that, making use of blockchain technology, strengthen or innovate supply chain management and the manufacturing and service industries. We invite the submission of high-quality original technical and survey papers addressing both theoretical and practical aspects, including ethical and social implications. We hope that this Special Issue will not only represent a showcase for promising research but will also contribute to raising awareness about blockchain technology and its impact on the next generation of business relationships.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Blockchain in the industry and in the supply chain management;

- Blockchain decentralized applications;

- Blockchain security;

- Blockchain-based trust and regulation mechanisms;

- Blockchain applications for the vendor rating;

- Blockchain and Industry 4.0;

- Blockchain and IoT;

- New emerging business models driven by blockchain;

- New business relationships and activities based on smart contracts;

- Blockchain based knowledge and innovation management;

- Challenges to be addressed for blockchain mass adoption;

- Social and ethical implications brought by the adoption of the blockchain;

- Blockchain startups and innovative applications (founders of the startups are encouraged to submit papers of their goals and how they expect to add value to blockchain applications).

Dr. Ferdinando Chiacchio
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 819 KiB  
Article
Breaking the Chains of Open Innovation: Post-Blockchain and the Case of Sensorica
by Alex Pazaitis
Information 2020, 11(2), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/info11020104 - 14 Feb 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6367
Abstract
Open innovation is a concept in flux; from the practice of large-scale, internet-mediated collaboration, to a strategic option and business model for firms. However, the scope and breadth of its transformative dynamic is arguably restrained. Despite the theoretical and empirical benefits of openness, [...] Read more.
Open innovation is a concept in flux; from the practice of large-scale, internet-mediated collaboration, to a strategic option and business model for firms. However, the scope and breadth of its transformative dynamic is arguably restrained. Despite the theoretical and empirical benefits of openness, established firms face significant challenges deploying the coordination patterns of open innovation communities, further reducing the potential of spill-overs in the supply chain. Viewed differently, open innovation presents more user-centric and responsible innovation paths. These are manifested in the processes and outputs of open innovation by empowering participation and by successfully employing the capacities of user communities. To reap the benefits of open innovation, a rapid reconfiguration of the production and exchange structures is needed in intrafirm and interfirm relations. Sensorica is an open enterprise that achieves such forms of organization and a unique techno-social infrastructure supporting them. It illustrates a potential path that can realize the full potential of open innovation, for users, firms, and the economic system as a whole. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain Applications in the Next Generation of Business Models)
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Review

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24 pages, 2810 KiB  
Review
A Review of Blockchain-Based Systems in Transportation
by Vittorio Astarita, Vincenzo Pasquale Giofrè, Giovanni Mirabelli and Vittorio Solina
Information 2020, 11(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/info11010021 - 29 Dec 2019
Cited by 127 | Viewed by 19981
Abstract
This paper presents a literature review about the application of blockchain-based systems in transportation. The main aim was to identify, through the implementation of a multi-step methodology: current research-trends, main gaps in the literature, and possible future challenges. First, a bibliometric analysis was [...] Read more.
This paper presents a literature review about the application of blockchain-based systems in transportation. The main aim was to identify, through the implementation of a multi-step methodology: current research-trends, main gaps in the literature, and possible future challenges. First, a bibliometric analysis was carried out to obtain a broad overview of the topic of interest. Subsequently, the most influential contributions were analysed in depth, with reference to the following two areas: supply chain and logistics; road traffic management and smart cities. The most important result is that the blockchain technology is still in an early stage, but appears extremely promising, given its possible applications within multiple fields, such as food track and trace, regulatory compliance, smart vehicles’ security, and supply-demand matching. Much effort is still necessary for reaching the maturation stage because several models have been theorized in recent years, but very few have been implemented within real contexts. Moreover, the link blockchain-sustainability was explored, showing that this technology could be the trigger for limiting food waste, reducing exhaust gas emissions, favouring correct urban development, and, in general, improving quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Blockchain Applications in the Next Generation of Business Models)
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