The application of blockchain technology in the recycling chain: a state-of-the-art literature review and conceptual framework

【Author】 Xie, Shenghao; Gong, Yu; Kunc, Martin; Wen, Zongguo; Brown, Steve

【Source】INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PRODUCTION RESEARCH

【影响因子】9.018

【Abstract】More practitioners are embracing blockchain technology to improve recycling performance. However, current research on the use of blockchain is mostly confined to general discussions on sustainable supply chains and circular economy, with limited studies specifically focusing on the recycling chain. This paper conducts a thorough content-based review of the literature related to the application of blockchain technology in the recycling chain with the objective to identify a conceptual framework. Although descriptive and thematic analyses show limited developments, blockchain technology can offer four distinct functions in the recycling chain: transparency, integration, behaviour channelisation, and service transformation. The adoption of blockchain in this area has technical, organisational, and environmental limitations that have not been overcome yet. In terms of benefits, blockchain technology improves recycling performance in terms of cost, dependability, flexibility, sustainability, and risk reduction. To summarise the findings, the paper proposes a novel conceptual framework for blockchain implementations in the recycling chain to support practitioners and guide scholars in further blockchain technology exploration.

【Keywords】Blockchain technology; recycling chain; sustainable supply chain; literature review; sustainability

【发表时间】

【收录时间】2023-01-04

【文献类型】综述

【主题类别】

区块链应用-实体经济-回收链