Special Issue "Blockchain-Based Digitalization of Logistics Processes—Innovation, Applications, Best Practices"

A special issue of Logistics (ISSN 2305-6290).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2022.

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Herwig Winkler
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chair of Production Management, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
Interests: blockchain; flexibility; robustness; digitization; factory planning; production planning and controlling; supply chain management; simulation
Special Issues and Collections in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Blockchain technology is becoming one of the most powerful future technologies in supporting logistics processes and applications. It has the potential to destroy and reorganize traditional logistics structures. Both researchers and practitioners all over the world continuously report about new blockchain-based projects, possibilities, and innovative solutions with better logistic service levels and lower costs.

This Special Issue will collect and publish well-prepared research reports about the recent advances of blockchain technology in logistics processes to provide insights into the realized maturity. All kinds of articles—literature-based, empirical research, case studies—are welcome that cope with innovations, applications, and best practice examples of blockchain-based digitalization of logistics processes.

Authors from all disciplines are cordially invited to submit their papers until 30/6/2022. Exemplary topics could deal with blockchain technology in the following:

  • Procurement and purchasing
  • Intralogistics
  • Logistics networks,
  • Logistics platforms
  • Maritime logistics
  • Automotive logistics

Prof. Dr. Herwig Winkler
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Logistics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Logistics processes
  • blockchain
  • innovation
  • applications
  • best practice
  • industry solutions

Published Papers (7 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

Article
Blockchain Solutions for International Logistics Networks along the New Silk Road between Europe and Asia
Logistics 2021, 5(3), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5030055 - 16 Aug 2021
Viewed by 346
Abstract
The primary research that underpins this paper seeks to explore the applications of blockchain technology on a specific international corridor and to draw policy implications for decision makers. To analyze the bottlenecks of operating on the New Silk Road and to identify opportunities [...] Read more.
The primary research that underpins this paper seeks to explore the applications of blockchain technology on a specific international corridor and to draw policy implications for decision makers. To analyze the bottlenecks of operating on the New Silk Road and to identify opportunities for applying the blockchain technology on this corridor, a survey was conducted among main train operators and experts working on this route. These responses provide insight into the issues related to the adoption of blockchain technology from front-line actors. The top three challenges are lack of capacities, congestion at transshipment terminals, and slow border crossing. Through the application of blockchain technology, the operators are presented with opportunities for improved accuracy in the processing of data and information, higher reliability of information flows through failure-free transfer of information, and improved traceability of supply chains through irrevocable input of status information. Currently, 50% of the respondents have started to implement blockchain applications or have an actual interest to apply blockchain solutions. For a wider implementation of blockchain solutions, business models need to be developed allowing private and permissioned access that is accepted and open for parties involved. Policy makers should facilitate these digital innovations through flexible and harmonized legal regulations on an international level. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
On Blockchain Integration with Supply Chain: Overview on Data Transparency
Logistics 2021, 5(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5030046 - 02 Jul 2021
Viewed by 599
Abstract
Data transparency is essential in the modern supply chain to improve trust and boost collaboration among partners. In this context, Blockchain is a promising technology to provide full transparency across the entire supply chain. However, Blockchain was originally designed to provide full transparency [...] Read more.
Data transparency is essential in the modern supply chain to improve trust and boost collaboration among partners. In this context, Blockchain is a promising technology to provide full transparency across the entire supply chain. However, Blockchain was originally designed to provide full transparency and uncontrolled data access. This leads many market actors to avoid Blockchain as they fear for their confidentiality. In this paper, we highlight the requirements and challenges of supply chain transparency. We then investigate a set of supply chain projects that tackle data transparency issues by utilizing Blockchain in their core platform in different manners. Furthermore, we analyze the projects’ techniques and the tools utilized to customize transparency. As a result of the projects’ analyses, we identified that further enhancements are needed to set a balance between the data transparency and process opacity required by different partners, to ensure the confidentiality of their processes and to control access to sensitive data. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Using Blockchain Technology to Foster Collaboration among Shippers and Carriers in the Trucking Industry: A Design Science Research Approach
Logistics 2021, 5(2), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5020037 - 09 Jun 2021
Viewed by 504
Abstract
In the global trucking industry, vertical collaboration between shippers and carriers is attained by intermediaries, called brokers. Brokers organize carriers for a shipper in accordance with its quality and price requirements, and support carriers to collaborate horizontally by sharing a large distribution order [...] Read more.
In the global trucking industry, vertical collaboration between shippers and carriers is attained by intermediaries, called brokers. Brokers organize carriers for a shipper in accordance with its quality and price requirements, and support carriers to collaborate horizontally by sharing a large distribution order from a shipper. Brokers also act as trustees, preventing the passing of private information of any party to the others. Despite these benefits, intermediaries in the trucking industry are involved in several sustainability problems, including high costs, high levels of carbon emissions, high percentages of empty miles, low-capacity utilizations, and driver shortages. Several studies have acknowledged the importance of improving collaboration to address these problems. Obviously, the major concern of brokers is not collaboration, but rather to optimize their own gains. This paper investigates the potential of blockchain technology to improve collaboration in the trucking industry, by eliminating brokers while preserving their responsibilities as organizers and trustees. This paper extends the transportation control tower concept from the logistics literature, and presents a system architecture for its implementation through smart contracts on a blockchain network. In the proposed system, the scalability and privacy of trucking operations are ensured through integration with privacy-preserving off-chain computation and storage solutions (running outside of the blockchain). The potential of this design artifact for fostering collaboration in the trucking industry was evaluated by both blockchain technology experts and trucking industry professionals. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Applying Distributed Ledger Concepts to a Swiss Regional Label Ecosystem
Logistics 2020, 4(4), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics4040032 - 01 Dec 2020
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1073
Abstract
Improving current supply chains by using distributed ledger technology (DLT) has been a highly researched topic during the last years. Currently, there are numerous articles elaborating on how such technologies can theoretically improve supply chains. However, case studies of such concepts and their [...] Read more.
Improving current supply chains by using distributed ledger technology (DLT) has been a highly researched topic during the last years. Currently, there are numerous articles elaborating on how such technologies can theoretically improve supply chains. However, case studies of such concepts and their economic value are scarce. In order to bridge this gap, we collaborated with a regional label company to clarify how a distributed ledger technology would benefit their ecosystem. This work answers the question of how such a prototype would look and whether it adds value. By following design science research practices, we design two artifacts based on requirements gathered in 14 interviews and discuss the artifacts’ elements within an evaluation panel. Our findings show that a distributed ledger application for the regional label ecosystem should have an open and decentralized architecture giving all participants full access to the shared data while still providing security and privacy for sensitive data. Additionally, data capturing should be simple. However, such an application does not add sufficient economic value and is currently of no practical interest in the regional label ecosystem as the expenditure likely exceeds the benefit. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
The Architectural Design Requirements of a Blockchain-Based Port Community System
Logistics 2020, 4(4), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics4040030 - 20 Nov 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1368
Abstract
This paper presents the value proposition of blockchain for Port Community Systems (PCS) by dissecting the business processes in port logistics and unfolding functionalities of blockchain in lowering the transaction cost. This paper contributes to the research by a detailed technical assessment of [...] Read more.
This paper presents the value proposition of blockchain for Port Community Systems (PCS) by dissecting the business processes in port logistics and unfolding functionalities of blockchain in lowering the transaction cost. This paper contributes to the research by a detailed technical assessment of the plethora of currently available blockchain platforms and consensus mechanisms, against the identified requirements in this specific use case. The results of this technical assessment highlight the central value proposition of blockchain for landlord ports, which is independency from a central authority as the controlling agent. Bridging between two research domains of Information Technology and Logistics, this paper proposes the preferred architectural design requirements of a blockchain-based PCS, including provisioning private sidechains, modular design with inter-chain interoperability, and encrypted off-chain data storage. Availability—the readiness for correct service, and reliability—the continuity of correct service, are heavily reliant on the right choice being made for blockchain design for such a complex use case. A preliminary comparative analysis among different decentralisation levels in this paper suggests that a permissioned public blockchain offers the best trade-off in performance measures for this use case. This technical review identifies six research agenda from a design perspective. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

Review
Applications of Blockchain Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain Management—Insights from a Systematic Literature Review
Logistics 2021, 5(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics5030043 - 30 Jun 2021
Viewed by 565
Abstract
The most successful applications of Blockchain Technology are still in the area of crypto-currencies, although both scientists and practitioners have discovered the potential of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management. There is a significant theoretical literature on Blockchain Technology, but there exists a [...] Read more.
The most successful applications of Blockchain Technology are still in the area of crypto-currencies, although both scientists and practitioners have discovered the potential of Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management. There is a significant theoretical literature on Blockchain Technology, but there exists a lack of published case studies and concrete examples. This paper discusses whether this shortcoming is due to insufficient added value of the technology and identifies other possible reasons. Furthermore, this paper introduces Blockchain Technology, describes the origins of Bitcoin, the structure and core properties of the Blockchain, and examines smart contracts. A comprehensive and structured literature analysis identifies concepts for the use of Blockchain Technology in logistics in terms of economic benefits. Additionally, a cluster analysis regarding the topics of the relevant literature was conducted. One finding of the study is that Blockchain Technology is particularly worthwhile for goods with a high value. Moreover, if the trade volume of the respective goods is low, the advantages of BCT are maximized. At the same time, the demand for transparency and immutability of data must be more important than the protection of sensitive data. In addition to concrete use cases of Blockchains, an exemplary logistics process will be presented within the Luxury Supply Chain, showing the advantages of Blockchain Technology for each individual process step. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review
Blockchain Technology in the Food Industry: A Review of Potentials, Challenges and Future Research Directions
Logistics 2020, 4(4), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics4040027 - 26 Oct 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4209
Abstract
Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising technology with far-reaching implications for the food industry. The combination of immutability, enhanced visibility, transparency and data integrity provides numerous benefits that improve trust in extended food supply chains (FSCs). Blockchain can enhance traceability, enable more [...] Read more.
Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising technology with far-reaching implications for the food industry. The combination of immutability, enhanced visibility, transparency and data integrity provides numerous benefits that improve trust in extended food supply chains (FSCs). Blockchain can enhance traceability, enable more efficient recall and aids in risk reduction of counterfeits and other forms of illicit trade. Moreover, blockchain can enhance the integrity of credence claims such as sustainably sourced, organic or faith-based claims such as kosher or halal by integrating the authoritative source of the claim (e.g., the certification body or certification owner) into the blockchain to verify the claim integrity and reassure business customers and end consumers. Despite the promises and market hype, a comprehensive overview of the potential benefits and challenges of blockchain in FSCs is still missing. To bridge this knowledge gap, we present the findings from a systematic review and bibliometric analysis of sixty-one (61) journal articles and synthesize existing research. The main benefits of blockchain technology in FCSs are improved food traceability, enhanced collaboration, operational efficiencies and streamlined food trading processes. Potential challenges include technical, organizational and regulatory issues. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our research and present several ideas for future research. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop