Smart contracts are scripts on the top of the blockchain technology. They represent a form of automation by what the layers of intermediaries can be reduced or even completely replaced. Accordingly, blockchain smart contracting systems decrease transaction and enforcement costs as well as process time. Moreover, we argue, blockchain and smart contracts can facilitate cross-organisational collaboration and their underlying business processes. Hence, they are able to support the integration of entrepreneurs and SMEs into trans-national supply chains by reducing high entry barriers and weakening the dominating position of big players. This paper discusses the research questions how blockchain smart contracting can facilitate the implementation of collaborative logistics structures and how the integration of SMEs into sustainable maritime supply chains can be safeguarded. The research bases on expert interviews and case studies. The results showcase the potentials of using blockchain smart contracting in the environment of trans-national and multimodal supply chains.
The prior research has scrutinised the extent and scope of design integration for smart production and services innovation and value generation for smart society including enterprises, customers and end-users in the context of Industry 4.0. A conceptual approach has been proposed for practical business applications in developing and exploiting new innovative products or services. The present paper underpins the earlier research in methodological terms and is an affiliated research endeavour. The research traces successful performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the context of Industry 4.0 in correlation with design as a source, resource and strategic tool for value generation and its capitalisation on the market. Building upon the integrated design as a tool and process for innovation capacity in the current industrial development paradigm, the present paper contributes to the previously anticipated research objective to reveal how design integration and design management manifest within small business practices and to what extent creates value. The key research focus is placed here on the strategic business orientationbusiness modelling and value creation for SMEs driven by impact factors from design, innovation management and strategic management field in the context of entrepreneurship. The present research is a result of qualitative research activity based on the case study methodological approach. Empirical data suggest how small enterprises within the Industry 4.0 domain can accelerate their growth targets and become more innovative, innovation being the move towards sustainable competitiveness and smart growth.
Within the context of the increasing digitalisation and intertwining cyber and physical dimensions connected by Internet, the paper aims at contributing towards understanding and conceptualising extent and scope of design integration for smart production and services and value generation for smart society including enterprises, customers and end-users. Research on design integration within the industry 4.0 or "internet of things" phenomena from strategic management perspective is still marginalised. Concepts from strategic and innovation management as well as open innovation including design and industry 4.0 perceptions are linked to propose a practice-oriented design integration approach for business practices in developing and exploiting new products or services in industry 4.0 context. The paper proposes conceptual approach to design integration and implementation within product or process development processes leading towards valuable innovations on corporate and societal level. It exemplifies how smart digitalisation and new enabling technologies might generate innovations driven by design as a tool and process. Design's role is demonstrated by intertwining dimensions of information, knowledge, technology, communication and society with different players and stakeholders, who share production or service inputs and outputs between different stakeholders in an open, distributed and co-existing way at different spatial and temporal scale.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.