Blockchain-based decision support system for measuring environmental and social sustainability in the supply chain

Abstract

Globalization has caused supply chains to become more complex and has created problems of misinformation, lack of transparency, traceability, and control. There is an inappropriate use of natural resources and exploitation of people and the environment at lower-tier levels of opaque value chains. Companies are pressured to be held accountable for these malpractices at the lower-tier levels of their suppliers. Consumers and governments demand that organizations reveal the environmental and social impacts of their supply chain activities. It is expected from companies to transform their business models to prioritize transparency and the environmental and social sustainability of their operations. Blockchain technology offers the essential properties that can make this transformation possible, it enables transparency, traceability, security, and real-time information sharing across supply chain participants. It has the potential to overcome the challenges in sustainable supply chain management. In this thesis, a quantitative sustainability measurement model for the environmental and social sustainability of supply chains is presented. Subsequently, a blockchain-based decision support system is developed to track and trace products throughout the supply chain and assess the environmental and social sustainability of the products and supply chain actors. Companies can use this system to gain more information about their supply chain activities and measure their sustainability performance.