2. Sustainable Blockchain and Supply Chain Management: Integration Issues, Challenges, Potentials and Applications

Blockchain has improved openness, efficiency, and confidence in the global supply chain ecosystem. This chapter investigates blockchain’s critical role in supply chain operations, beginning with an analysis of its key principles: decentralization, immutability, and cryptographic security. It then digs into the advantages of blockchain integration, which include more transparency, simplified transactions, greater traceability, and improved collaboration among supply chain players. This section’s chapters address a wide range of blockchain integration topics, including supply chain digitization, smart contracts, data privacy, and decentralized applications. Real-world case studies demonstrate effective blockchain use in a variety of industries. Furthermore, it covers integration issues such as technological complexities, prices, laws, and governance, providing useful insights and best practices. The chapter also looks ahead to future themes including Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration, regulatory challenges, and scalability. It emphasizes the need of organizations embracing blockchain to achieve a competitive advantage and promote supply chain innovation. This chapter is a comprehensive resource for professionals, researchers, and students interested in learning about and using blockchain integration in supply chain management. It takes a comprehensive approach to the subject, delivering practical insights, case studies, and future perspectives to inspire and enable organizations to use blockchain technology for supply chain optimization and transformation.