scholarly journals SABlockFL: a blockchain-based smart agent system architecture and its application in federated learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-147
Author(s):  
Zhizhao Zhang ◽  
Tianzhi Yang ◽  
Yuan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
System Architecture ◽  
Data Exchange ◽  
Privacy Preserving ◽  
Agent System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Era ◽  
Agent Model ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract

Purpose The purpose of this work is to bridge FL and blockchain technology through designing a blockchain-based smart agent system architecture and applying in FL. and blockchain technology through designing a blockchain-based smart agent system architecture and applying in FL. FL is an emerging collaborative machine learning technique that trains a model across multiple devices or servers holding private data samples without exchanging their data. The locally trained results are aggregated by a centralized server in a privacy-preserving way. However, there is an assumption where the centralized server is trustworthy, which is impractical. Fortunately, blockchain technology has opened a new era of data exchange among trustless strangers because of its decentralized architecture and cryptography-supported techniques. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the author proposes a novel design of a smart agent inspired by the smart contract concept. Specifically, based on the proposed smart agent, a fully decentralized, privacy-preserving and fair deep learning blockchain-FL framework is designed, where the agent network is consistent with the blockchain network and each smart agent is a participant in the FL task. During the whole training process, both the data and the model are not at the risk of leakage. Findings A demonstration of the proposed architecture is designed to train a neural network. Finally, the implementation of the proposed architecture is conducted in the Ethereum development, showing the effectiveness and applicability of the design. Originality/value The author aims to investigate the feasibility and practicality of linking the three areas together, namely, multi-agent system, FL and blockchain. A blockchain-FL framework, which is based on a smart agent system, has been proposed. The author has made several contributions to the state-of-the-art. First of all, a concrete design of a smart agent model is proposed, inspired by the smart contract concept in blockchain. The smart agent is autonomous and is able to disseminate, verify the information and execute the supported protocols. Based on the proposed smart agent model, a new architecture composed by these agents is formed, which is a blockchain network. Then, a fully decentralized, privacy-preserving and smart agent blockchain-FL framework has been proposed, where a smart agent acts as both a peer in a blockchain network and a participant in a FL task at the same time. Finally, a demonstration to train an artificial neural network is implemented to prove the effectiveness of the proposed framework.

Blockchain-based smart contract for international business – a framework

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepankar Sinha ◽  
Shuvo Roy Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Data Structure ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Information Structure ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Global Trade ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract

Purpose Cross border trade, involving different business environments between the sellers’ and buyers’ countries, may result in conflicts because of asymmetry in the information structure across the borders. The International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) has laid down ground rules on terms of shipment and payment, enabling harmonization and standardization of business process, and fixing of responsibilities for international trade. The international commercial (INCO) terms by ICC define the duties, obligations and cost borne by the exporter and the importer. An exporter’s uncertainty looms once the goods cross his/her border. Therefore, there is a need for a smart contract that is secured, transparent, legitimate and trustworthy. The authors propose a blockchain technology-based smart global contract (BTGC) framework for international trade. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors develop the framework based on value chain analysis (VCA) of international trade and an ontology-driven-blockchain-design approach. The paper analyzes the sequence of activities in the value chain of global trade, the terms of the contract, the data structure templates, the validation rules and the points-of-failure, and proposes the smart contract blockchain structure. Findings This paper proposes the BTGC framework considering the INCO terms 2020; it provides the validation rules and the probability of failures; and identifies the elements that cause the halting of contracts and conditions of creation of side blockchains. The framework also includes the governance of the BTGC system. Research limitations/implications The proposed framework not only has implications at the firm level as it automates and secures a global sale contract but also is expected to harmonize the global-trade process as well. The developers may use the attributes, data structure templates and the rules identified in this paper for developing the GC software. Future research may consider using case analysis, class diagrams and the related steps for developing the blockchain software. Originality/value This paper proposes a complete value chain of global contract (GC) concerning exports, an ontology of GC and a blockchain-based smart-contract framework based on global standards. Besides, it specifies the elements of fraud (such as the non-integration of side chains) and uncertainty, i.e. the probability of failures. Such a framework will harmonize the global-trade process and build an international standards for smart GC based on blockchain technology (ISSGCBT), which is not yet done.

scholarly journals Blockchain and real estate: Dopo di Noi project

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marzia Morena ◽  
Tommaso Truppi ◽  
Angela Silvia Pavesi ◽  
Genny Cia ◽  
Jacopo Giannelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Severe Disabilities ◽  
Trust Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Real ◽  
The Real Estate ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Real Estate Sector ◽  
Potential Applications

PurposeThis paper aims at investigating the possibility of effectively implementing the blockchain technology in the real estate environment, specifically applied to the Trust legal instrument in Dopo di Noi (After Us) project, which is intended to guarantee assistance to persons with severe disabilities.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is focused on how to apply the blockchain to the tool of Trust, analyzing the main features and characteristics of this technology.FindingsThe paper proposes two potential solutions for managing the Trust tool in the real estate sector, specifically within the Dopo di Noi project. The first simpler proposal is based on timestamping application. The second one radically changes the classical Trust model and introduces an automatization level in the process.Social implicationsThe paper presents potential applications of the blockchain technology within the framework of Dopo di Noi project, which allows among other features, legal and tax facilitation for the institution of Trusts to benefit persons with severe disabilities.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the potentiality of the combination of the blockchain technology and the real estate environment and applies the blockchain technology to the Dopo di Noi project. Specifically, with the second solution, the paper proposes a platform that gathers, in a single network, various elements of the blockchain technology, such as timestamping, smart property, smart contract, and links them in order to provide services to persons with severe disabilities.

Exploring blockchain technology in international trade

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuchih Ernest Chang ◽  
Yi-Chian Chen ◽  
Tzu-Ching Wu
Keyword(s):  
International Trade ◽  
Business Process ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Process Efficiency ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Letter Of Credit ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the applicability of blockchain technology in international trade process from a perspective of letter of credit payment. Design/methodology/approach A blockchain-based re-engineering process is designed by employing the blockchain and its affiliated smart contract technology to harvest the benefits of distributed ledger and distributed business workflow automation. Findings Comparative analysis and feasibility study were conducted to identify and validate the prospects, in terms of facilitating process flow and enhancing overall trade performance, of the proposed blockchain-based international trade process model. Practical implications Traditional trade processes suffer from a great number of issues about intermediaries, information latency and trust, which, in turn, hinder overall process efficiency. The emerging blockchain technology may have potentials to mitigate those issues by revolutionizing business processes across enterprise borders in various industries. Originality/value This study contributes to the conceptual design of a blockchain- and smart-contract-based process along with a provision of practical case in business process re-engineering. Further endeavors devoted to blockchain research and application across different sectors are suggested to reach better performance of business process operations.

scholarly journals Block chain Based Data Provenance in Supply chain

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-322
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Data Provenance ◽  
New Era ◽  
Supply Chain Networks ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Block Chain ◽  
Initial Uncertainty

Blockchain technology as an infrastructure allows an innovational platform for a new transparent and decentralized transaction mechanism for different type of industries and businesses. Different attributes of blockchain technology increase trust through traceability and transparency ability of goods, data and financial resources within any transaction. Regardless of initial uncertainty about this technology, government and many major enterprises and firms have recently examined the adoption and improvement of this technology in several areas of applications, from social, legal and finance industries to manufacturing, design and supply-chain networks. An interesting research problem in this new era is that of determining provenance. At present, goods which are produced and transported using complicated medium supply chains, in this type of supply chain it is impossible to evaluate the provenance of physical goods. We have an interest in the blockchain as there are numerous favored use cases of blockchain especially for provenance tracking. In this paper we review the basics features of the blockchain along with its type like permission less and permissioned blockchain. Then discussed the need of provenance of assets in supplychain as it increase the trust of the customer and proposed a process and architecture for providing the data provenance in supply chain with blockchain using smart contract.

The applicability of blockchain technology in healthcare contexts to contain COVID-19 challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Raihanul Hasan ◽  
Shiming Deng ◽  
Neegar Sultana ◽  
Muhammed Zakir Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Data Privacy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Real Life ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Era ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Monitoring Tools ◽  
Control And Prevention

PurposeBlockchain technology, a key feature of the fourth industrial revolution, is receiving widespread attention and exploration around the world. Taking the coronavirus pandemic as an example, the purpose of this study to examine the application of blockchain technology from the perspective of epidemic prevention and control.Design/methodology/approachExploring multiple case studies in the Chinese context at various stages of deployment, this study documents a framework about how some of the major challenges associated with COVID-19 can be alleviated by leveraging blockchain technology.FindingsThe case studies and framework presented herein show that utilization of blockchain acts as an enabler to facilitate the containment of several COVID-19 challenges. These challenges include the following: complications associated with medical data sharing; breaches of patients' data privacy; absence of real-time monitoring tools; counterfeit medical products and non-credible suppliers; fallacious insurance claims; overly long insurance claim processes; misappropriations of funds; and misinformation, rumors and fake news.Originality/valueBlockchain is ushering in a new era of innovation that will lay the foundation for a new paradigm in health care. As there are currently insufficient studies pertaining to real-life case studies of blockchain and COVID-19 interaction, this study adds to the literature on the role of blockchain technology in epidemic control and prevention.

Blockchain and contract theory: modeling smart contracts using insurance markets

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 803-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alpen Sheth ◽  
Hemang Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Economic Model ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
Insurance Industry ◽  
Principal Agent ◽  
Smart Contracts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agent Model ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Economic Transformations ◽  
Principal Agent Model

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to model blockchain-based smart contracts specifically for the insurance industry. The authors introduce the concept of smart contracts and further discuss the implementation of a decentralized insurance marketplace, namely Etherisc, using smart contracts on the Ethereum blockchain platform. Design/methodology/approach The authors employ three methods in this paper. The first one is a design illustration of a live application, namely, Etherisc. The second one is an economic model using demand–supply and equilibrium economics. The third one is an illustration using principal–agent modeling using constrained optimization. Findings The findings illustrate the following: in the design discussion, the authors demonstrate the architecture of a live Ethereum-based smart contract system. In the economic model, the authors illustrate how decentralized smart contract systems can increase social welfare by shifting demand and supply by reducing transactional costs. In the principal–agent model, the authors show how both the principal and agent are positively benefited by various mechanisms. Originality/value The paper is an original contribution and can be used as a reference model to study insurance or other similar marketplaces and the underlying economic transformations happening therein.

scholarly journals Smart Contracts in the New Era of Contract Law

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 8-24
Author(s):  
Alexandros A. Papantoniou
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Contract Law ◽  
Smart Contracts ◽  
New Era ◽  
Novel Technologies ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract

This essay examines whether smart contract innovation is capable of displacing the orthodox adherence to traditional contracts. This examination is underpinned by an analysis of the legality of smart contracts, through which it is exemplified that smart contracts ought to be considered legally binding instruments. The essay proceeds to explore the superiority of smart contracting on a technical and theoretical basis. The advantages generated through smart contract automaticity and enforceability present a concrete basis for undermining reliance on traditional contracts. Blockchain Technology also enhances the benefits of smart contracts by acting as a smart contract enabler through guaranteed performance and enforceability. Nevertheless, such novel technologies inevitably suffer from several shortcomings. This essay considers examples which illustrate the inflexibility of smart contracting. Apart from being susceptible to hacking and code exploitation, smart contracting is unable to deal with ambiguities and potential modifications. Overall, this suggests that the advantages of smart contract practice are currently confined to some specified limited scenarios. Smart contracts perform a different function to traditional contracting by merely guaranteeing technical enforceability as opposed to legal enforceability. This essay thus concludes that, for the time being, it is best to regard smart contracting as a supplement to traditional contracts rather than an outright displacement.

Blockchain technology – a new era of ecolabelling schemes?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela A. Balzarova
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Use Cases ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Era ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
The One ◽  
The Right

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the potential of blockchain technology (BCT) for enhancing the effectiveness of ecolabelling schemes (ecolabels). The paper examines ecolabels’ effectiveness across three criteria – reducing adverse environmental and social impacts, enhancing quality and safety standards during production and service delivery and increasing producer’s trading power via decreased information asymmetry. These three categories are compared with technology’s status quo, linking use cases relevant to the enhancement of contemporary ecolabels’ effectiveness. Conclusions are drawn over BCT’s potential for enhancing the effectiveness of ecolabels. The paper also offers directions for future research related to BCT and purpose-driven ecolabels. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative interpretivist approach to investigate the potential BCT represents for enhancement of the effectiveness of ecolabelling schemes (ecolabels). The paper identifies three criteria against which ecolabels can be assessed in respect to their effectiveness. Additionally, it looks for linkages between the design of ecolabels and a creation and utilisation of improved practices in a given industry. This conceptual literature review resulted in a framework for ecolabels’ effectiveness and a lens to review BCT-related literature with potential to enhance ecolabels’ design and trading practices. Findings There is an undeniable shift in attitude towards the adoption of BCT, stepping away from the naïve notion that BCT can fix all the problems encountered in a supply chain. On the one hand, BCT offers to better inform consumers of the green benefits ecolabelled products provide. On the other hand, a broader application of BCT currently faces a trilemma of challenges related to issues of decentralisation, security and scalability. BCT’s presence is likely to force ecolabelling organisations to review their position on the market and their intended purpose in the marketplace. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on a conceptual literature review and derives with three key themes grouping ecolabels against their efficiencies. These themes provide scope for a search of relevant blockchain-embedded use cases that may or may not contribute to the enhancement of ecolabels’ impact. This is a conceptual, theoretical review of possible approaches that can be adopted by commerce with predictions relevant to ecolabels. This paper does not claim any empirical findings. Practical implications Despite interest BCT gained to date, the technology still deals with unresolved issues related to decentralisation, scalability and security. Many studies advise caution, and some do not view the technology as disruptive but foundational. The paper provides references to studies that assist organisations with a decision, whether it is the right time to invest in BCT or not. Social implications This paper adds to the ambition most ecolabels strive for, and that is to mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts production of conventional products may have. Use cases embedded in BCT offer insights into the impacts of enhanced transparency within supply chains. For example, BCT is likely to work well for improving the lives of those producing the foods we eat while informing on issues such as child labour or planting of new trees as part of an offset program. Originality/value This paper’s contribution is manifold. First, it delivers a qualitative conceptual analysis of principal ecolabels against their stated purpose. Second, it reviews the BCT literature and identifies cases that are able to provide perspective on the technology’s relevance to ecolabels’ effectiveness. Third, by exploring the overlap of the two concepts, this paper discusses the likelihood of future BCT’s utilisation in ecolabelling programs.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Blockchain-Enabled Resource Management Mechanism for NGNs

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Michael Xevgenis ◽  
Dimitrios G. Kogias ◽  
Ioannis Christidis ◽  
Charalampos Patrikakis ◽  
Helen C. Leligou
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Management Mechanism ◽  
New Era ◽  
Distributed Approach ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Support Resource

A new era in ICT has begun with the evolution of Next Generation Networks (NGNs) and the development of human-centric applications. Ultra-low latency, high throughput, and high availability are a few of the main characteristics of modern networks. Network Providers (NPs) are responsible for the development and maintenance of network infrastructures ready to support the most demanding applications that should be available not only in urban areas but in every corner of the earth. The NP’s must collaborate to offer high- quality services and keep their overall cost low. The collaboration among competitive entities can in principle be regulated by a trusted 3rd party or by a distributed approach/technology which can guarantee integrity, security, and trust. This paper examines the use of blockchain technology for resource management and negotiation among NPs and presents the results of experiments conducted in a dedicated real testbed. The implementation of the resource management mechanism is described in a Smart Contract (SC) and the testbeds use the Raft and the IBFT consensus mechanisms respectively. The goal of this paper is two-fold: to assess its performance in terms of transaction throughput and latency so that we can assess the granularity at which this solution can operate (e.g. support resource re-allocation among NPs on micro-service level or not) and define implementation-specific parameters like the consensus mechanism that is the most suitable for this use case based on performance metrics.

The Potential Of Blockchain Technology To Change International Mobile Roaming Business Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22
Author(s):  
Ardian Thresnantia Atmaja
Keyword(s):  
Business Model ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Business Value ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Clearing House ◽  
Blockchain Technology ◽  
Smart Contract ◽  
Target Architecture ◽  
Architecture Development

The key objectives of this paper is to propose a design implementation of blockchain based on smart contract which have potential to change international mobile roaming business model by eliminating third-party data clearing house (DCH). The analysis method used comparative analysis between current situation and target architecture of international mobile roaming business that commonly used by TOGAF Architecture Development Method. The purposed design of implementation has validated the business value by using Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculation. This paper applies the TOGAF approach in order to address architecture gap to evaluate by the enhancement capability that required from these three fundamental aspect which are Business, Technology and Information. With the blockchain smart contract solution able to eliminate the intermediaries Data Clearing House system, which impacted to the business model of international mobile roaming with no more intermediaries fee for call data record (CDR) processing and open up for online billing and settlement among parties. In conclusion the business value of blockchain implementation in the international mobile roaming has been measured using TCO comparison between current situation and target architecture that impacted cost reduction of operational platform is 19%. With this information and understanding the blockchain technology has significant benefit in the international mobile roaming business.

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