Roadmap for integrating blockchain with Internet of Things (IoT) for sustainable and secured operations in logistics and supply chains: Decision making framework with case illustration

Abstract

Blockchain and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies have considerable potential to achieve sustainability in logistics and supply chain management. However, the integration of blockchain-IoT has not been explored extensively in past research. This research provides a complete analysis of the enablers for using blockchain-IoT to manage logistics and supply chains. It aims to explore and prioritise various enablers for its adoption. The Diffusion of Innovation and the Technology-Organisation-Environment theories are used in this research to examine blockchain-IoT adoption enablers. The enablers identification is confirmed using the Fuzzy-Delphi technique and then analysed using the fuzzy - Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory tool to determine the strength of cause-effect hierarchical framework. The sensitivity analysis is also carried out to address the robustness of the results obtained. In order to measure the extent of a firm's readiness to adopt blockchainIoT, a framework based on Graph Theory Matrix Method is proposed. It is illustrated with the help of a real life case. The results revealed that 'sustainability focus', 'emphasis on emerging technology by organisation', and 'technology maturity' are the top three enablers for blockchain-IoT adoption. Findings of study may motivate managers to include blockchain-IoT into their strategic planning processes based on their categorization of enablers into cause and effect categories. The research findings may also be used to the creation of efficient Blockchain-IoT deployment methods.