Encyclopedia
"Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a term used to represent a digital network of distributed models, consisting of blockchain-based ledgers, and collaborating on shared tasks and activities. Blockchain technology is a data structure, composed of “blocks”, that are cryptographically linked together in a chained sequence using cryptographic hashes, secured against manipulations [1][2]. Due to wider functionality, DLT is a commonly used term for a computer-based system consisting of distributed ledger-based data structures, which can provide increased levels of trust, service availability, resiliency, and security of digital systems, as well as distributed storage, computation, and control [2]."
- distributed ledger technology
- Internet of Things
- food supply chain
- blockchain
- sustainability
- IoT
Distributed Ledger Technologies - Brief Description and Definition
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a term used to represent a digital network of distributed models, consisting of blockchain-based ledgers, and collaborating on shared tasks and activities. Blockchain technology is a data structure, composed of “blocks”, that are cryptographically linked together in a chained sequence using cryptographic hashes, secured against manipulations [1][2]. Due to wider functionality, DLT is a commonly used term for a computer-based system consisting of distributed ledger-based data structures, which can provide increased levels of trust, service availability, resiliency, and security of digital systems, as well as distributed storage, computation, and control [2].
Integration of blockchain technology in Internet of Things (IoT) systems can potentially improve system and cyber security, safety [3][4][5], data confidentiality [6] and data integrity [4]. For instance, blockchains can help prevent food fraud by retaining trustworthy product information on biological and geographic origin [8][3]. The combination of blockchains with IoT can potentially improve FSCs transparency, efficiency, and sustainability [4][7] save costs and time [8][5][4], reduce information asymmetry, paperwork, fraud risks, and increase trust among supply chain stakeholders and end consumers [4][7]. Integration of DLTs across organizations and infrastructures can potentially enhance stability, resilience, and security of systems [2][5], enabling distributed solutions for industries and societies.
This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper 10.3390/su13084206
References
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- De Leon, D.C.; Stalick, A.Q.; Jillepalli, A.A.; Haney, M.A.; Sheldon, F.T. Blockchain: Properties and misconceptions. Asia Pac. J. Innov. Entrep. 2017, 11, 286–300.
- Juan F. Galvez; J.C. Mejuto; J. Simal-Gandara; Future challenges on the use of blockchain for food traceability analysis. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 2018, 107, 222-232, 10.1016/j.trac.2018.08.011.
- Jiang Duan; Chen Zhang; Yu Gong; Steve Brown; Zhi Li; A Content-Analysis Based Literature Review in Blockchain Adoption within Food Supply Chain. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1784, 10.3390/ijerph17051784.
- Maciel M. Queiroz; Renato Telles; Silvia H. Bonilla; Blockchain and supply chain management integration: a systematic review of the literature. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal 2019, 25, 241-254, 10.1108/scm-03-2018-0143.
- Kay Behnke; M.F.W.H.A. Janssen; Boundary conditions for traceability in food supply chains using blockchain technology. International Journal of Information Management 2020, 52, 101969, 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2019.05.025.
- Susanne Köhler; Massimo Pizzol; Technology assessment of blockchain-based technologies in the food supply chain. Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 269, 122193, 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122193.
- Myo Min Aung; Yoon Seok Chang; Traceability in a food supply chain: Safety and quality perspectives. Food Control 2014, 39, 172-184, 10.1016/j.foodcont.2013.11.007.
