Blockchain and Supply Chains

Supply chains are complex networks of actors who perform different functions and are usually located in different parts of the world. Use of Blockchain, a single source of immutable information, and self-executing contracts could improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency of current supply chains.

Areas of Interests

We are currently exploring the potential of blockchain technology to enable visibility and automation in the following areas:

Traceability and provenance
Supply chain sustainability
Trade documentation
Dispute resolution
Procurement processes
Supply chain finance solutions

We are also interested in studying blockchain-based supply chain ecosystems: governance models, relationships and collaboration, incentives to participate, barriers for adoption, and the role of intermediaries.

Please contact Dr. Inma Borrella at inma@mit.edu for any inquiries.

Researchers at CTL

Roar Adland, Visiting Scholar
Alexis Bateman, Sustainable Supply Chains Director
Inma Borrella, Postdoctoral Associate
Ken Cottrill, Global Communications Consultant
Suzanne Greene, Sustainable Supply Chains Manager
Haiying Jia, Visiting Scholar
Jim Rice, CTL Deputy Director
Alexander Rothkopf, Research Scientist
Maria Jesus Saenz, Executive Director of the MIT SCM Blended Master Program

Blockchain-related Publications

In chronological order

View all of CTL's publications here. Follow CTL on Medium here.

Adland, R. and Jia, H. (2018). Can smart contracts reduce the cost, inefficiency of demurrage claims? Journal of Commerce. link

Cottrill, K. (2018) Will Blockchain Create a Digital Divide in Shipping? MIT Supply Chain blog. link

Borrella, I. and Cottrill, K. (2018) Where is Blockchain Headed? Follow the Money. MIT Supply Chain blog. link

Get Involved

We are looking for companies to engage with us on:

Sharing their current experience with blockchain technology exploration and/or implementation.
Developing case studies of applications of blockchain technology in supply chains.
Exploring process automation through smart contracts.

Please contact Dr. Inma Borrella at inma@mit.edu for any inquires.

Background on blockchain and smart contracts

Blockchain is a digital ledger that stores data in a sequential and immutable way. This ledger is maintained by a group of participants that share the responsibility for storing and verifying the information. Smart contracts can be implemented on top of a blockchain platform. They are agreements between two or more parties directly written into lines of code. These agreements self-execute when the stipulated conditions are met.

The impact of blockchain on supply chains

Blockchain can be applied to supply chains to create an audit trail of transactions and automate processes through smart contracts. The potential impact of these tools could improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency of current supply chains.

Blockchain and smart contract applications to supply chains are manifold. This technology has been used to show provenance information and verify authenticity of products such as diamonds. It has been applied to automate auditing of key documentation and to enforce business rules in the transportation industry. And it has shown potential to provide end-to-end visibility, helping to quickly identify connections between impacts and causes, for example in the case of foodborne illness outbreaks.

Please contact Dr. Inma Borrella at inma@mit.edu for any inquiries.