Global supply chains and the social good perspective: Can blockchain come to the rescue?

Abstract

Purpose

This viewpoint article provides insights into the potential role of blockchain technology in addressing crucial issues facing society and global supply chains. We seek to bring more attention to blockchain capabilities for social good in global supply chain settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint paper provides a perspective on some major current social good and global supply chain issues. The method is based on the current state-of-the-art debate and discourse on blockchain technology as an enabler for social good. Literature, practice and author knowledge concerning the topic are used to support the concepts and actions presented in this study.

Findings

Social good, sustainable supply chains and blockchain technology have great promise and potential. Joint research and practice evaluation are essential to reveal the full potential and applications of blockchain technology and address the trade-offs and challenges. Theory and modeling are needed for understanding and advancing these topical areas.

Originality/value

Blockchain application for social good is a new area. We call for transdisciplinary research and development to advance this emerging area. We propose many open questions, and many more are arising in this blockchain and benchmarking community. The impact of this research can be substantive as we can actually seek to make our world a better place as we focus on social good.

Citation

Kouhizadeh, M. and Sarkis, J. (2024), "Global supply chains and the social good perspective: Can blockchain come to the rescue?", Benchmarking: An International Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-03-2023-0179