The Challenges of Introducing the Blockchain Technology in Logistic Chains

摘要

Globalization trends call for changes in the paradigm of logistic chains, creating effective interrelation links among individual countries not only by physical infrastructure, but also connecting various economies, policies, cultures, technologies etc. in a smart way. This study investigates the minimization of transaction costs by using modern software technologies. The article has two aims. The first is to identify and to quantify transaction, transition and misalignment costs (TTM). And the second is to discuss if and how these costs can be minimized by using software technologies e.g. blockchain technology (BC). Given insufficiencies in data collection, we quantified costs mostly for Latvian case regarding its forthcoming participation in the rail freight corridors. This study analyses four alternatives: without introducing BC, introducing public BC, introducing limited access BC, introducing hybrid BC.