Yes / Insurance claims processing involves multiple entities and data sources, necessitating communication between human agents. Consequently, vehicle insurance claims have traditionally required significant human effort and time. Daily vehicle-related transactions, including those managed by transportation authorities, pose challenges for tracking. Centralised systems have been utilised for national solutions, but trust management, transparency, and access control issues arise. There is potential for further integration of vehicle-related transactions. This article proposes a blockchain framework for vehicle insurance to streamline the reporting of accidents and filing of insurance claims. Blockchain-based automation platforms can enhance the scale and response time of claims processing, providing users with control over additional transactions, inspection, and insurance. For experimental purposes, a blockchain was created using Hyperledger Fabric to store information about vehicles, owners, and insurance. Efficient querying of this blockchain requires specific participants, assets, and transactions. The consensus algorithm can identify invalid claims if a transaction request contains an error. By deploying blockchain technology and smart contracts, this architecture has the potential to address trust and security concerns associated with traditional insurance policies and claims. / The full-text of this article will be released for public view at the end of the publisher embargo on 02 June 2024.

Throughout history, the food sector has been accountable for several crises, and as the market gets more global it is difficult to keep control of and trust the information. As a consequence to the food scandals, due to the information asymmetry, the customer awareness is increasing as well as initiatives such as certificates to address the problems. To be able to increase the transparency, the information infrastructure is constantly developing and most recently the technology of blockchain has gathered a lot of attention as a possible solution to the problems. A blockchain is an open, distributed and decentralized verification system for digital transactions where data about the transaction is stored safely in so called blocks which forms a chain in a network. In order to obtain food safety, it is necessary to have traceability systems that records and can provide product specific information. This study investigates the challenges and possibilities of a possible implementation of a traceability system supported by blockchain technology. This research is made by a case study, looking into a food supply chain for a package of milk, starting at the dairy manufacturer and ending at the retailer. By doing interviews and observations, a mapping of the case specific supply chain was made and a blockchain technology supported framework for traceability was suggested. From analyzing theoretical data and empirical findings the possibilities and challenges of a blockchain supported framework for traceability was discussed. The conclusion of the study is that the blockchain technology still is immature in the context of food supply chains and some of the biggest challenges are to develop a culture that promotes collaborations, information sharing and standardizations which are easy to adopt. However, blockchain technology has the possibility to offer secure and transparent traceability characteristics to a traceability system and a framework can lead to both cost and environmental savings in case of a product recall. Furthermore, to be willing to collaborate and to put time and effort into new implementations it is important to find the actual value of implementation for all stakeholders. / Livsmedelssektorn står ansvariga för flertalet skandaler, med en allt mer globaliserad marknad blir det än mer svårt att behålla kontrollen över information och lita på den. Som en konsekvens av skandalerna, till följd av informations-asymmetrin, har konsumenternas medvetenhet ökat såväl som initiativ så som certifieringar för att bemöta problemen. Informationsinfrastrukturer utvecklas ständigt för att kunna öka transparensen och blockkedjetekniken har den senaste tiden fått mycket uppmärksamhet för att kunna vara en möjlig lösning till problemen. En blockkedja är ett öppet, distribuerat och decentraliserat verifikationssystem för digitala transaktioner där data om transaktionen är säkert sparad i så kallade block som tillsammans bildar en kedja i ett nätverk. För att uppehålla livsmedelssäkerhet är det nödvändigt med spårbarhetssystem som registrerar och kan tillhandahålla produktspecifik information. Studien undersöker utmaningar och möjligheter för en möjlig implementering av ett blockkedjetekniksbaserat ramverk för spårbarhet. Studien är genomförd som en fallstudie genom att undersöka en livsmedelskedja för ett paket mjölk som avgränsats till att börja vid mejeriet och sluta i matbutiken. Genom att göra intervjuer och observationer gjordes en kartläggning av livsmedelskedjan och ett förslag på ett ramverk för spårbarhet supportat av blockkedjeteknik togs fram. Från analys av teoretiska data och empiriska upptäckter diskuterades möjligheterna och utmaningarna med ett blockkedjetekniksbaserat ramverk för spårbarhet. Slutsatsen av studien är att blockkedjetekniken fortfarande är en omogen teknik i kontexten av en livsmedelskedja och att några av de största utmaningarna ligger i att utveckla en kultur som uppmanar till samarbete, informationsdelning och standardiseringar som är enkla att implementera. Tekniken erbjuder däremot säkerhets- och transperensegenskaper till ett spårbarhetssystem och ett ramverk kan medföra både kostnads- och miljöbesparingar vid en produktåterkallelse. För att samarbeta och investera i tid och pengar för en implementation är det dessutom viktigt att hitta de faktiska värdena i implementeringen för alla intressenter.

This master thesis explores how blockchain technologies can be utilized within the financial sector with focus on how to store both private and public information on the blockchain. The capital market is looking into ways of cutting down administrative work through streamlining the financial process by using blockchain technologies. Public key encryption together with hash functions and a consensus mechanism make up the basis for creating a shared trustless database system. The thesis was conducted by extensive research concerning cryptographic topics, and a literature study was made to compare existing solutions. This was done in order to come up with a new design which suggests how to utilize blockchain technologies in order to create private transactions. The design solves issues regarding key management and how to handle both private and public information on the blockchain. The proposed design is an extension of Visigon's existing permissioned blockchain, and it introduces different roles within the peer to peer network as well as a concept of having regulating nodes that together with the involved bank's nodes handle the process of private transactions. Private transactions are encrypted by using symmetric keys and thereafter recorded on the blockchain. In conclusion blockchain technology might not be the most suitable database system for banks to keep transactions private. Future solutions should consider the best attributes of blockchain technologies and create a new system with the single purpose of being a tool for the financial market.

Background:  Industry 4.0 technologies are expected to play an important role in the near future. Among these, blockchain technology is in the spotlight and recognized to be revolutionary within the agri-food industry and its supply chains. However, the technology and its adoption is in an early phase and involves several challenges for agri-food organizations. Given its nascent nature, academic research is scarce and a need for research of blockchain technology adoption in different contexts has been identified.  Purpose:  The purpose of this thesis is therefore to analyze the reasoning behind Swedish agri-food organizations’ decisions to adopt or reject blockchain technology as well as their approach to its adoption in their supply chains.  Method:  A qualitative research design with an inductive approach was applied, where the primary data was gathered through 9 semi-structured interviews with agri-food organizations and experienced individuals within the field.  Conclusion:  The findings show that trustworthiness is the main goal and driver of blockchain technology adoption and identified several secondary reasons for adoption. The research also specifies challenges which act as reasons for rejection as well as two-edged critical factors affecting adoption decisions. Further, Swedish agri-food organizations were recognized to be in an immature adoption phase and hence two main approaches to blockchain adoption, proactive and pending, were determined. Based on these findings, the BAP framework visualizing the blockchain adoption process was developed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the potential of technologies for traceability within the Swedish textile recycling industry. This study further aims to investigate the status of information collection and management in the textile recycling industry and the factors which are affecting the implementation of different traceability technologies, such as blockchain technology.   Design/ Methodology/ Approach: This study followed a qualitative exploratory approach as there is little prior knowledge regarding usage of traceability technologies, such as blockchain technology in the Swedish textile recycling industry. Primary data was collected by semi-structured interviews, and it was analysed through thematic analysis. Purposive sampling was used to collect relevant data. The sample included experts from the academia and industry, who have knowledge in the field of textile recycling and traceability technologies.   Findings: The findings suggest that there is no available information collection and management systems that enable efficient recycling processes. Moreover, there is a lack of infrastructure for collecting and sorting the textile waste, cost and technological challenges hampering the potential of efficient textile recycling and the possibility to create an efficient circular supply chain in Sweden. There are four factors which affect the opportunities and challenges for implementation of traceability technologies, such as blockchain technology, these are: management and decision making, integration and collaboration, rules and regulations and value creation through blockchain in the textile recycling industry.   Implications: This study may contribute to reshaping the traditional view on where traceability technologies can be implemented to create efforts to enhance the circular economy principles, as suggested by literature from the previous stages in a supply chain. This study suggests that blockchain technology may enhance information sharing in a circular supply chain within the textile recycling industry. It further shows that the textile recyclers have the potential to implement blockchain technology from their stage to minimise the information gaps which are currently existing.   Originality/ Value: The academic literature lacks practical cases and exploration regarding the usage of traceability technologies such as blockchain technology at the textile recycling stage and this study tries to explore if it would be beneficial for the textile recycling industry in Sweden.

Society is dependent processes that emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The accumulation of these gases in the atmosphere prevents sunlight reflected from earth’s surface to get to space thereby warming the earth and causing climate change. To prevent the effects of adverse climate change, the voluntary carbon market was designed to help buyers, individuals or organizations that cannot avoid emission in their process, purchase carbon credits from sellers, entities whose process prevent or avoid carbon emissions. The voluntary carbon market faces challenges like market fragmentation, opacity of records, and delayed processes due to layers of intermediation and double counting. In an attempt to solve these challenges, blockchain, a ledger technology, has been applied by innovative organizations. This thesis researches the possible roles of trading carbon credits using blockchain based platforms in the voluntary carbon market. Furthermore, this thesis focuses secondarily on how the application could increase supply of carbon credits, influence commitment to net-zero, contribute to production of high-quality carbon credits, and promote fairness in carbon trading. A conceptual framework based upon the Oxford Principles for Carbon Offsetting, Taskforce for Scaling the Voluntary Carbon Market (TSVCM), and the Sustainability Principles was used in this study. Seven organizations were investigated in this study through a first phase of interview and a second phase of survey.The findings suggest that blockchain-enabled carbon trading has the potential to enable market growth, foster systems interactions and transition via information technology, and support opportunities for sustainability in the socio-ecological system. Blockchain also inherits the unsustainability of the overall tech and energy sectors wherein it operates. Weak governance systems off-chain from non-disclosures by market players also risk the market system on-chain to vulnerabilities. The authors conclude that trading carbon credit on blockchain-enabled platforms is a step in the right direction in terms of amplifying the contributions the voluntary carbon markets hold for cutting down carbon emissions. They also acknowledge that the blockchain-carbon credit application does not directly address upstream issues of carbon emission but serves as a mechanism to accelerate decarbonization.

Деятельность любого промышленного предприятия тесно связано с необходимостью транспортировки грузов. На сегодняшний день процесс доставки грузов осложняется: низкой скоростью логистического цикла; долгим документооборотом и наличием в нём ошибок; сохранностью груза. В ходе научного исследования обоснована возможность применения технологии блокчейн в совершенствовании эффективности транспортно-логистической системы. Однако, универсальный метод внедрения этой технологии на промышленных предприятиях отсутствует. Цель магистерской диссертации заключается в обосновании необходимости внедрения технологии блокчейн в систему транспортной логистики промышленного предприятия. Анализ основывался на изучении научно-периодической литературы, изучении существующих методик исследования и зарубежного опыта внедрения технологии блокчейн в практику её применение на предприятиях. В качестве источников информации использовались нормативно-правовые акты, база публикаций Российского индекса научного цитирования, представленная на ресурсе Elibrary и внутренние документы исследуемого предприятия. Выявленные преимущества технологии блокчейн позволяют обеспечить единое информационное поле для логистической цепи. Использование технологии позволяет построить новую упорядоченную систему передачи информации между участниками логистических цепочек. Данная схема передачи информации может быть осуществлена в рамках авторского подхода, особенностью которого является то, что он включает: модель внедрения технологии блокчейн в систему транспортной логистики предприятия; разработанную автором модель взаимодействия факторов снижения трансформационно-трансакционных затрат; комплекс показателей эффективности процессов транспортной и информационной логистики, а также показатели качества транспортно-логистических систем. По результатам апробации эффективность представлена: через изменение общего показателя эффективности процессов информационной и транспортной логистики; в виде экономии на затратах путём совершенствования процессов системы транспортной логистики на основе технологии блокчейн. Таким образом, экономия на затратах в виде: аренды от простоя вагонов, потери от хранения готовой продукции на складе и вне склада. Таким образом, предложен подход к внедрению технологии блокчейн в системе транспортной логистики предприятия, обеспечивающий единое информационное поле, включающий авторскую модель взаимодействия факторов снижения трансформационно-трансакционных затрат и позволяющий повысить эффективность транспортно-логистический услуг. / The activity of any industrial enterprise is closely connected with the need to transport goods. To date, the process of delivery of goods is complicated by: low speed of the logistics cycle; long document flow and the presence of errors in it; safety of cargo. In the course of the research, the possibility of using blockchain technology to improve the efficiency of the transport and logistics system has been substantiated. However, there is no universal method for introducing this technology in industrial enterprises. The purpose of the master's thesis is to justify the introduction of blockchain technology into the transport logistics system of an industrial enterprise. The analysis was based on the study of scientifically-periodical literature, the study of existing research methods and foreign experience in implementing the blockchain technology into practice its application in enterprises. The sources of information were the regulatory legal acts, the base of publications of the Russian Science Citation Index, presented on the Elibrary resource and internal documents of the enterprise under study. The identified advantages of the blockchain technology allow us to provide a single information field for the logistics chain. The use of technology allows you to build a new orderly system of information transfer between participants in the supply chains. This scheme of information transfer can be carried out within the framework of the author's approach, a feature of which is that it includes: a model for the introduction of blockchain technology into the enterprise's logistics system; a model developed by the author for the interaction of factors reducing transformational transaction costs; a set of indicators of efficiency of transport and information logistics processes, as well as indicators of the quality of transport and logistics systems. According to the results of approbation, the efficiency is presented: through a change in the overall indicator of the efficiency of information and transport logistics processes; in the form of cost savings by improving the processes of the transport logistics system based on blockchain technology. Thus, the cost savings in the form of: rent from idle wagons, losses from storage of finished products in the warehouse and outside the warehouse. Thus, the proposed approach to the introduction of the blockchain technology in the company's transportation logistics system provides a unified information field, including the author’s model of interaction of factors reducing the transformational-transactional costs and improving the efficiency of transport and logistics services.

[pt] Em virtude do desenvolvimento do agronegócio no setor econômico, o Brasil é um dos países com o maior consumo de agrotóxicos desde 2008. O risco de problemas de saúde de curto, médio e longo prazo, a depender do componente químico utilizado e do tempo de exposição ao produto, é enorme e segundo a Organização Internacional do Trabalho (OIT), esses produtos químicos causam 70 mil intoxicações agudas e crônicas anualmente, inclusive evoluindo para óbito, em países em desenvolvimento. Ressalta-se, portanto, a importância da aplicação de técnicas e métodos que contribuam para uma modalidade de agricultura sustentável que respeite aspectos sociais, ambientais e econômicos no processo da modernização e desenvolvimento da agricultura. A inovadora tecnologia blockchain, conhecida também como “protocolo de confiança”, resulta em esperança para produtores e consumidores orgânicos, diante de diversos problemas relacionados à demanda por maior clareza e informação sobre o cultivo do alimento, a rastreabilidade do produto, a procedência do selo orgânico, dentre outros desafios. Desta forma, o presente trabalho teve como foco principal o desenvolvimento de um vídeo direcionado aos produtores orgânicos, demonstrandoos benefícios do sistema blockchain para a cadeia de produção de orgânicos, evidenciando a potencialidade dessa tecnologia na agricultura orgânica, a fim de oferecer aos produtores orgânicos e aos consumidores, um nível notável de conhecimento sobre a cadeia de produção e fornecimento do produto, favorecendo a inovação e o bem-estar social e econômico, inclusive em assuntos relacionados ao combate as mudanças climáticas. / [en] Due to the development of agribusiness in the economic sector, Brazil is one of the countries with the highest consumption of pesticides since 2008. The risk of short, medium and long-term health problems, depending on the chemical component used and the time of exposure to the product, is enormous and according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), these chemicals cause 70,000 acute intoxications and chronic diseases annually, including progressing to death, in developing countries. Therefore, the importance of applying techniques and methods that contribute to a sustainable agriculture modality that respects social, environmental and economic aspects in the process of modernization and development of agriculture is highlighted.The innovative blockchain technology, also known as the “trust protocol”, brings hope for organic producers and consumers, in the face of several problems related to the demand for greater clarity and information about food cultivation, product traceability , the origin of the organic seal, among other challenges. In this way, the present work focused on the development of a video aimed at organic producers, demonstrating the benefits of the blockchain system for the organic production chain, highlighting the potential of this technology in organic agriculture, in order to offer organic producers and consumers, a remarkable level of knowledge about the production and supply chain of the product, favoring innovation and social and economic well-being, including in matters related to combating climate change.

Circular Economy has gained a lot of interest by academia as well as companies and policymakers. Sustainability goals of the European Union has mainly caused this acceleration. However, research argued that the true impact and scale of CE will only be realized when companies deploy Circular Business Models (CBMs) and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in a holistic manner to capture new growth opportunities while also strengthening their core business. Especially digital technologies are seen as one of the key enablers for that transition and have become a central topic within the CE research agenda. This research looked at the potential role Blockchain technology can play in the transition towards Circular Economy of the Swedish Furniture Industry based on the identified challenges it currently faces. Based on the combination of literature - and empirical research, there can be concluded that the role of Blockchain technology in the transformation towards CE in the Swedish Furniture Industry is less significant than first anticipated. Based on the empirical findings, there can be concluded that the key driver of Blockchain technology is an environment where there is a systemic lack of trust related to transactions and data between different parties. In such circumstances, Blockchain technology does imply significantly added value due to its inherent features of decentralization, irreversibility, and transparency without the need for intermediary third parties. Circular economy can be seen as an ecosystem that consist of a complex network with different actors that all need certain information to effectively participate. Based on this research, the prominent implication for Blockchain technology in the Swedish Furniture Industry has been found in the current discussed European Union Product Passport in combination with the chemical regulation. Blockchain technology could play a prominent role in the aftermarket by enabling trust, transparency, and irreversibility. In this way all actors in the Circular Economy can use and contribute to the data in a uniform manner. / Cirkulär ekonomi har rönt stort intresse inom den akademiska världen samt bland företag och beslutsfattare. Det är främst Europeiska unionens hållbarhetsmål som har orsakat denna acceleration. Forskningen har dock visat att den verkliga effekten och omfattningen av den cirkulära ekonomin kommer att förverkligas först när företagen använder cirkulära affärsmodeller (CBM) och tekniker från den fjärde industriella revolutionen på ett holistiskt sätt för att ta tillvara nya tillväxtmöjligheter samtidigt som de stärker sin kärnverksamhet. Särskilt den digitala tekniken ses som en av de viktigaste faktorerna för denna övergång och har blivit en central fråga på forskningsagendan för CE. I denna forskning undersöktes vilken potentiell roll blockkedjetekniken kan spela i den svenska möbelindustrins övergång till cirkulär ekonomi utifrån de identifierade utmaningar som den för närvarande står inför. Baserat på kombinationen av litteratur - och empirisk forskning kan man dra slutsatsen att blockkedjeteknologins roll i omställningen till CE i den svenska möbelindustrin är mindre betydande än vad man först trodde. På grundval av de empiriska resultaten kan man dra slutsatsen att den viktigaste drivkraften för blockkedjetekniken är en miljö där det finns en systematisk brist på förtroende i samband med transaktioner och data mellan olika parter. Under sådana omständigheter innebär blockkedjetekniken ett betydande mervärde på grund av dess inneboende egenskaper i form av decentralisering, irreversibilitet och öppenhet utan behov av tredje part som mellanhand. Den cirkulära ekonomin kan ses som ett ekosystem som består av ett komplext nätverk med olika aktörer som alla behöver viss information för att effektivt kunna delta. Baserat på denna forskning har den framträdande implikationen för blockkedjetekniken i den svenska möbelindustrin hittats i det för närvarande diskuterade Europeiska unionens produktpass i kombination med kemikalieförordningen. Blockkedjetekniken skulle kunna spela en betydande roll för att möjliggöra förtroende, transparens och oåterkallelighet. På så sätt kan alla aktörer i den cirkulära ekonomin använda och bidra till data på ett enhetligt sätt.

Circular Economy has gained a lot of interest by academia as well as companies and policymakers. Sustainability goals of the European Union has mainly caused this acceleration. However, research argued that the true impact and scale of CE will only be realized when companies deploy Circular Business Models (CBMs) and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in a holistic manner to capture new growth opportunities while also strengthening their core business. Especially digital technologies are seen as one of the key enablers for that transition and have become a central topic within the CE research agenda. This research looked at the potential role Blockchain technology can play in the transition towards Circular Economy of the Swedish Furniture Industry based on the identified challenges it currently faces. Based on the combination of literature - and empirical research, there can be concluded that the role of Blockchain technology in the transformation towards CE in the Swedish Furniture Industry is less significant than first anticipated. Based on the empirical findings, there can be concluded that the key driver of Blockchain technology is an environment where there is a systemic lack of trust related to transactions and data between different parties. In such circumstances, Blockchain technology does imply significantly added value due to its inherent features of decentralization, irreversibility, and transparency without the need for intermediary third parties. Circular economy can be seen as an ecosystem that consist of a complex network with different actors that all need certain information to effectively participate. Based on this research, the prominent implication for Blockchain technology in the Swedish Furniture Industry has been found in the current discussed European Union Product Passport in combination with the chemical regulation. Blockchain technology could play a prominent role in the aftermarket by enabling trust, transparency, and irreversibility. In this way all actors in the Circular Economy can use and contribute to the data in a uniform manner. / Cirkulär ekonomi har rönt stort intresse inom den akademiska världen samt bland företag och beslutsfattare. Det är främst Europeiska unionens hållbarhetsmål som har orsakat denna acceleration. Forskningen har dock visat att den verkliga effekten och omfattningen av den cirkulära ekonomin kommer att förverkligas först när företagen använder cirkulära affärsmodeller (CBM) och tekniker från den fjärde industriella revolutionen på ett holistiskt sätt för att ta tillvara nya tillväxtmöjligheter samtidigt som de stärker sin kärnverksamhet. Särskilt den digitala tekniken ses som en av de viktigaste faktorerna för denna övergång och har blivit en central fråga på forskningsagendan för CE. I denna forskning undersöktes vilken potentiell roll blockkedjetekniken kan spela i den svenska möbelindustrins övergång till cirkulär ekonomi utifrån de identifierade utmaningar som den för närvarande står inför. Baserat på kombinationen av litteratur - och empirisk forskning kan man dra slutsatsen att blockkedjeteknologins roll i omställningen till CE i den svenska möbelindustrin är mindre betydande än vad man först trodde. På grundval av de empiriska resultaten kan man dra slutsatsen att den viktigaste drivkraften för blockkedjetekniken är en miljö där det finns en systematisk brist på förtroende i samband med transaktioner och data mellan olika parter. Under sådana omständigheter innebär blockkedjetekniken ett betydande mervärde på grund av dess inneboende egenskaper i form av decentralisering, irreversibilitet och öppenhet utan behov av tredje part som mellanhand. Den cirkulära ekonomin kan ses som ett ekosystem som består av ett komplext nätverk med olika aktörer som alla behöver viss information för att effektivt kunna delta. Baserat på denna forskning har den framträdande implikationen för blockkedjetekniken i den svenska möbelindustrin hittats i det för närvarande diskuterade Europeiska unionens produktpass i kombination med kemikalieförordningen. Blockkedjetekniken skulle kunna spela en betydande roll för attmöjliggöra förtroende, transparens och oåterkallelighet. På så sätt kan alla aktörer i den cirkulära ekonomin använda och bidra till data på ett enhetligt sätt.