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Blockchain for and in Logistics: What to Adopt and Where to Start

Author

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  • Mario Dobrovnik

    (Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • David M. Herold

    (Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parkland Drive, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia)

  • Elmar Fürst

    (Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • Sebastian Kummer

    (Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Despite the claim that blockchain will revolutionise business and redefine logistics, existing research so far is limited concerning frameworks that categorise blockchain application potentials and their implications. In particular, academic literature in transport and logistics to date has not sufficiently distinguished between blockchain adoption (‘what to adopt’) and the identification of the right business opportunity (‘where to start’). In response, this paper (1) uses Rogers’ (2003) ‘attributes of innovation framework’ to identify potential blockchain applications and (2) presents a framework explicating four transformation phases to subsequently categorise the identified areas of application according to their effects on organisational structures and processes. Using academic and practitioner literature, we classify possible applications for adoption and provide a framework to identify blockchain opportunities in the logistics industry, thereby helping managers to systematically assess where to start building organisational capabilities in order to successfully adopt and deploy blockchain-based technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Dobrovnik & David M. Herold & Elmar Fürst & Sebastian Kummer, 2018. "Blockchain for and in Logistics: What to Adopt and Where to Start," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-14, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlogis:v:2:y:2018:i:3:p:18-:d:167360
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Taab Ahmad Samad & Rohit Sharma & Kunal K Ganguly & Samuel Fosso Wamba & Geetika Jain, 2023. "Enablers to the adoption of blockchain technology in logistics supply chains: evidence from an emerging economy," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 251-291, August.
    3. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Steve Simske & Horst Treiblmaier, 2021. "Blockchain Technologies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-28, October.
    4. Elnaz Irannezhad, 2020. "The Architectural Design Requirements of a Blockchain-Based Port Community System," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-31, November.
    5. Horst Treiblmaier, 2019. "Combining Blockchain Technology and the Physical Internet to Achieve Triple Bottom Line Sustainability: A Comprehensive Research Agenda for Modern Logistics and Supply Chain Management," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-13, February.
    6. Ashkan Pakseresht & Sina Ahmadi Kaliji & Vilma Xhakollari, 2022. "How Blockchain Facilitates the Transition toward Circular Economy in the Food Chain?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-22, September.
    7. Manisha C. Abeysekera & Priyantha Kumarawadu, 2022. "Analysis of factors influencing blockchain implementation in finance sector in Sri Lanka," HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE - ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY, vol. 12(2), pages 3-14.
    8. Abderahman Rejeb & John G. Keogh & Suhaiza Zailani & Horst Treiblmaier & Karim Rejeb, 2020. "Blockchain Technology in the Food Industry: A Review of Potentials, Challenges and Future Research Directions," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-26, October.
    9. Stylianos Ioannidis & Christos Karelakis & Zacharias Papanikolaou & George Theodossiou, 2022. "Exploring Digitalisation Adaptation of Agro-food Firms: Evidence from Greece," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), International Hellenic University (IHU), Kavala Campus, Greece (formerly Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology - EMaTTech), vol. 15(1), pages 94-104, July.
    10. Antonios Litke & Dimosthenis Anagnostopoulos & Theodora Varvarigou, 2019. "Blockchains for Supply Chain Management: Architectural Elements and Challenges Towards a Global Scale Deployment," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-17, January.

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