IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i11p4656-d368325.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

A Blockchain-Based Framework for Green Logistics in Supply Chains

Author

Listed:
  • Bing Qing Tan

    (Management School, Jinan University, No. 601, West Huangpu Avenue, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Fangfang Wang

    (National Economics Research Center, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, 21 Luntou Road, Guangzhou 510320, China)

  • Jia Liu

    (National Economics Research Center, Guangdong University of Finance & Economics, 21 Luntou Road, Guangzhou 510320, China)

  • Kai Kang

    (Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Federica Costa

    (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

The logistics industry around the world has proliferated over recent years as a large number of business organizations have come to recognize the importance of logistics. Cost control used to be emphasized to remain competitive, but recently green logistics has gained attention with the awareness of the integration of economy and society as a whole. Nowadays, green logistics is a useful concept to improve the sustainability of logistics operations, and its related policies and theoretical research have been investigated and explored. However, the practical applications of green logistics are impeded by real-time data sharing, which is common in the logistics industry. Blockchain technology is adopted to address this challenge and enable data sharing among related stakeholders. This paper presents a reference framework for green logistics based on blockchain to reach the sustainable operations of logistics, with the integration of the Internet of Things and big data. Finally, potential benefits and limitations are analyzed when implementing this framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Bing Qing Tan & Fangfang Wang & Jia Liu & Kai Kang & Federica Costa, 2020. "A Blockchain-Based Framework for Green Logistics in Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4656-:d:368325
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/11/4656/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/11/4656/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sara Saberi & Mahtab Kouhizadeh & Joseph Sarkis & Lejia Shen, 2019. "Blockchain technology and its relationships to sustainable supply chain management," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 2117-2135, April.
    2. Srivastava, Samir K., 2008. "Network design for reverse logistics," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 535-548, August.
    3. Sikorski, Janusz J. & Haughton, Joy & Kraft, Markus, 2017. "Blockchain technology in the chemical industry: Machine-to-machine electricity market," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 234-246.
    4. Frota Neto, J. Quariguasi & Bloemhof-Ruwaard, J.M. & van Nunen, J.A.E.E. & van Heck, E., 2008. "Designing and evaluating sustainable logistics networks," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(2), pages 195-208, February.
    5. Edvard Tijan & Saša Aksentijević & Katarina Ivanić & Mladen Jardas, 2019. "Blockchain Technology Implementation in Logistics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-13, February.
    6. Jianjun Sun & Jiaqi Yan & Kem Z. K. Zhang, 2016. "Blockchain-based sharing services: What blockchain technology can contribute to smart cities," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 2(1), pages 1-9, December.
    7. Benedikt Notheisen & Jacob Benjamin Cholewa & Arun Prasad Shanmugam, 2017. "Trading Real-World Assets on Blockchain," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 59(6), pages 425-440, December.
    8. Geng, Ruoqi & Mansouri, S. Afshin & Aktas, Emel, 2017. "The relationship between green supply chain management and performance: A meta-analysis of empirical evidences in Asian emerging economies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(PA), pages 245-258.
    9. Abdelkader Sbihi & Richard Eglese, 2010. "Combinatorial optimization and Green Logistics," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 175(1), pages 159-175, March.
    10. Fahimnia, Behnam & Sarkis, Joseph & Davarzani, Hoda, 2015. "Green supply chain management: A review and bibliometric analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 101-114.
    11. David Holman & Pavel Wicher & Radim Lenort & Venuše Dolejšová & David Staš & Ioana Giurgiu, 2018. "Sustainable Logistics Management in the 21st Century Requires Wholeness Systems Thinking," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-26, November.
    12. Sarkis, Joseph & Zhu, Qinghua & Lai, Kee-hung, 2011. "An organizational theoretic review of green supply chain management literature," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(1), pages 1-15, March.
    13. Juan Huang & Yuhong Shuai & Qi Liu & Hang Zhou & Zhenggang He, 2018. "Synergy Degree Evaluation Based on Synergetics for Sustainable Logistics Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-18, June.
    14. Sheu, Jiuh-Biing & Chou, Yi-Hwa & Hu, Chun-Chia, 2005. "An integrated logistics operational model for green-supply chain management," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(4), pages 287-313, July.
    15. Vitor W. B. Martins & Rosley Anholon & Osvaldo L. G. Quelhas & Walter Leal Filho, 2019. "Sustainable Practices in Logistics Systems: An Overview of Companies in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(15), pages 1-12, July.
    16. Mehrdokht Pournader & Yangyan Shi & Stefan Seuring & S.C. Lenny Koh, 2020. "Blockchain applications in supply chains, transport and logistics: a systematic review of the literature," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2063-2081, April.
    17. Croce, Antonello Ignazio & Musolino, Giuseppe & Rindone, Corrado & Vitetta, Antonino, 2019. "Sustainable mobility and energy resources: A quantitative assessment of transport services with electrical vehicles," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1-1.
    18. Dong-Fang Wang & Qian-Li Dong & Zhi-Min Peng & Syed Abdul Rehman Khan & Arthur Tarasov, 2018. "The Green Logistics Impact on International Trade: Evidence from Developed and Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-19, June.
    19. Xiang Li, 2014. "Operations Management of Logistics and Supply Chain: Issues and Directions," Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Hindawi, vol. 2014, pages 1-7, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2021. "Sustainable Supply Chains with Blockchain, IoT and RFID: A Simulation on Order Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Panagiotis Trivellas & Georgios Malindretos & Panagiotis Reklitis, 2020. "Implications of Green Logistics Management on Sustainable Business and Supply Chain Performance: Evidence from a Survey in the Greek Agri-Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-29, December.
    3. Yi Wang & Yafei Yang & Zhaoxiang Qin & Yefei Yang & Jun Li, 2023. "A Literature Review on the Application of Digital Technology in Achieving Green Supply Chain Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Kathleen M. Bakarich & John “Jack” Castonguay & Patrick E. O'Brien, 2020. "The Use of Blockchains to Enhance Sustainability Reporting and Assurance†," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 389-412, December.
    5. Susie Ruqun WU & Gabriela Shirkey & Ilke Celik & Changliang Shao & Jiquan Chen, 2022. "A Review on the Adoption of AI, BC, and IoT in Sustainability Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-25, June.
    6. Viviana D’Angelo & Valeria Belvedere, 2023. "Green Supply Chains and Digital Supply Chains: Identifying Overlapping Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-18, June.
    7. Ren, Yi-Shuai & Ma, Chao-Qun & Chen, Xun-Qi & Lei, Yu-Tian & Wang, Yi-Ran, 2023. "Sustainable finance and blockchain: A systematic review and research agenda," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    8. Lei Zhou & Qianpeng Li & Fachao Li & Chenxia Jin, 2022. "Research on Green Technology Path of Cold-Chain Distribution of Fresh Products Based on Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Minyi Xu & Shujian Ma & Gang Wang, 2022. "Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Based on Blockchain Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-21, June.
    10. Vineet Paliwal & Shalini Chandra & Suneel Sharma, 2020. "Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review and a Classification Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-39, September.
    11. Kannan Govindan, 2022. "Tunneling the barriers of blockchain technology in remanufacturing for achieving sustainable development goals: A circular manufacturing perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(8), pages 3769-3785, December.
    12. Arim Park & Huan Li, 2021. "The Effect of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Sustainability Performances," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-18, February.
    13. Muzammil Hussain & Waheed Javed & Owais Hakeem & Abdullah Yousafzai & Alisha Younas & Mazhar Javed Awan & Haitham Nobanee & Azlan Mohd Zain, 2021. "Blockchain-Based IoT Devices in Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-23, December.
    14. Zeplin Jiwa Husada Tarigan & Hotlan Siagian & Ferry Jie, 2021. "Impact of Enhanced Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) on Firm Performance through Green Supply Chain Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-20, April.
    15. Daisik Nam & Minyoung Park, 2020. "Improving the Operational Efficiency of Parcel Delivery Network with a Bi-Level Decision Making Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-19, September.
    16. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2020. "The Unknown Potential of Blockchain for Sustainable Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    17. Jacob Lohmer & Elias Ribeiro da Silva & Rainer Lasch, 2022. "Blockchain Technology in Operations & Supply Chain Management: A Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-88, May.
    18. Heongu Lee & Changhak Yeon, 2021. "Blockchain-Based Traceability for Anti-Counterfeit in Cross-Border E-Commerce Transactions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, October.
    19. Marija Jović & Edvard Tijan & Dražen Žgaljić & Saša Aksentijević, 2020. "Improving Maritime Transport Sustainability Using Blockchain-Based Information Exchange," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-19, October.
    20. Zejian Li & Guangrong Gao & Xiong Xiao & Hongwu Zuo, 2023. "Factors and Formation Path of Cross-Border E-Commerce Logistics Mode Selection," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, February.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rui Ren & Wanjie Hu & Jianjun Dong & Bo Sun & Yicun Chen & Zhilong Chen, 2019. "A Systematic Literature Review of Green and Sustainable Logistics: Bibliometric Analysis, Research Trend and Knowledge Taxonomy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-25, December.
    2. Tandon, Anushree & Kaur, Puneet & Mäntymäki, Matti & Dhir, Amandeep, 2021. "Blockchain applications in management: A bibliometric analysis and literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    3. Suzanne, Elodie & Absi, Nabil & Borodin, Valeria, 2020. "Towards circular economy in production planning: Challenges and opportunities," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(1), pages 168-190.
    4. Ramos, Tânia Rodrigues Pereira & Gomes, Maria Isabel & Barbosa-Póvoa, Ana Paula, 2014. "Planning a sustainable reverse logistics system: Balancing costs with environmental and social concerns," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 60-74.
    5. Dutta, Pankaj & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Somani, Surabhi & Butala, Richa, 2020. "Blockchain technology in supply chain operations: Applications, challenges and research opportunities," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    6. 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.
    7. Somayeh Soheilirad & Kannan Govindan & Abbas Mardani & Edmundas Kazimieras Zavadskas & Mehrbakhsh Nilashi & Norhayati Zakuan, 2018. "Application of data envelopment analysis models in supply chain management: a systematic review and meta-analysis," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 271(2), pages 915-969, December.
    8. Islam Shamimul & Karia Noorliza & Fauzi Firdaus Bin Ahmad & Soliman Mohamed, 2017. "A review on green supply chain aspects and practices," Management & Marketing, Sciendo, vol. 12(1), pages 12-36, March.
    9. Panagiotis Trivellas & Georgios Malindretos & Panagiotis Reklitis, 2020. "Implications of Green Logistics Management on Sustainable Business and Supply Chain Performance: Evidence from a Survey in the Greek Agri-Food Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-29, December.
    10. Seles, Bruno Michel Roman Pais & de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz Lopes & Jabbour, Charbel José Chiappetta & Dangelico, Rosa Maria, 2016. "The green bullwhip effect, the diffusion of green supply chain practices, and institutional pressures: Evidence from the automotive sector," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 342-355.
    11. Hassini, Elkafi & Surti, Chirag & Searcy, Cory, 2012. "A literature review and a case study of sustainable supply chains with a focus on metrics," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 140(1), pages 69-82.
    12. Dekker, Rommert & Bloemhof, Jacqueline & Mallidis, Ioannis, 2012. "Operations Research for green logistics – An overview of aspects, issues, contributions and challenges," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 219(3), pages 671-679.
    13. Ozden Tozanli & Gazi Murat Duman & Elif Kongar & Surendra M. Gupta, 2017. "Environmentally Concerned Logistics Operations in Fuzzy Environment: A Literature Survey," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 1(1), pages 1-42, June.
    14. Tiberio Daddi & Iñaki Heras‐Saizarbitoria & Luca Marrucci & Francesco Rizzi & Francesco Testa, 2021. "The effects of green supply chain management capability on the internalisation of environmental management systems and organisation performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1241-1253, July.
    15. Chaabane, A. & Ramudhin, A. & Paquet, M., 2012. "Design of sustainable supply chains under the emission trading scheme," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(1), pages 37-49.
    16. Mohammadi, M. & Torabi, S.A. & Tavakkoli-Moghaddam, R., 2014. "Sustainable hub location under mixed uncertainty," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 89-115.
    17. Li, Guangqin & Shao, Shuai & Zhang, Lihong, 2019. "Green supply chain behavior and business performance: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 445-455.
    18. M. K. Dhillon & P. M. Rafi-Ul-Shan & H. Amar & F. Sher & S. Ahmed, 2023. "Flexible Green Supply Chain Management in Emerging Economies: A Systematic Literature Review," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 24(1), pages 1-28, March.
    19. Luísa Pinto, 2020. "Green supply chain practices and company performance in Portuguese manufacturing sector," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 1832-1849, July.
    20. Lekan Damilola Ojo & Onaopepo Adeniyi & Olajide Emmanuel Ogundimu & Olasunkanmi Ososanmi Alaba, 2022. "Rethinking Green Supply Chain Management Practices Impact on Company Performance: A Close-Up Insight," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-19, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4656-:d:368325. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.