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A blockchain architecture with smart contracts for an additive symbiotic network - a case study

Author

Listed:
  • Inês A. Ferreira

    (NOVA School of Science and Technology)

  • Guido Palazzo

    (B-PET, C/ Botiguers. 3 Oficina 1J Edificio Onofre)

  • António Pinto

    (CIICESI, ESTG, Politécnico do Porto and CRACS & INESC TEC)

  • Pedro Pinto

    (ADiT-Lab, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo & INESC TEC)

  • Pedro Sousa

    (CIICESI, ESTG, Politécnico do Porto and CRACS & INESC TEC)

  • Radu Godina

    (NOVA School of Science and Technology
    Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, LASI)

  • Helena Carvalho

    (NOVA School of Science and Technology
    Laboratório Associado de Sistemas Inteligentes, LASI)

Abstract

Adopting innovative technologies such as blockchain and additive manufacturing can help organisations promote the development of additive symbiotic networks, thus pursuing higher sustainable goals and implementing circular economy strategies. These symbiotic networks correspond to industrial symbiosis networks in which wastes and by-products from other industries are incorporated into additive manufacturing processes. The adoption of blockchain technology in such a context is still in a nascent stage. Using the case study method, this research demonstrates the adoption of blockchain technology in an additive symbiotic network of a real-life context. The requirements to use a blockchain network are identified, and an architecture based on smart contracts is proposed as an enabler of the additive symbiotic network under study. The proposed solution uses the Hyperledger Fabric Attribute-Based Access Control as the distributed ledger technology. Even though this solution is still in the proof-of-concept stage, the results show that adopting it would allow the elimination of intermediary entities, keep available tracking records of the resources exchanged, and improve trust among the symbiotic stakeholders (that do not have any trust or cooperation mechanisms established before the symbiotic relationship). This study highlights that the complexity associated with introducing a novel technology and the technology’s immaturity compared to other data storage technologies are some of the main challenges related to using blockchain technology in additive symbiotic networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Inês A. Ferreira & Guido Palazzo & António Pinto & Pedro Pinto & Pedro Sousa & Radu Godina & Helena Carvalho, 2025. "A blockchain architecture with smart contracts for an additive symbiotic network - a case study," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 537-553, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:opmare:v:18:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s12063-024-00508-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s12063-024-00508-x
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