scholarly journals Realizing the Role of Permissioned Blockchains in a Systems Engineering Lifecycle

Systems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Demetrios Joannou ◽  
Roy Kalawsky ◽  
Miguel Martínez-García ◽  
Chris Fowler ◽  
Kevin Fowler

A key requirement for an integrated digital tool chain is secure access and control of data assets. Not all stakeholders will have the same access to or control over the flow of information, some will be able to input or change data whilst others will only be able to read the data. Simply providing secure access protocols is not sufficient because copied data can quickly become disassociated and modified from its original instantiation, leading to its reuse elsewhere or later in the lifecycle but in an inappropriate way. Therefore, data management mechanisms are required that capture information about the data along with any decisions or modifications it has undergone during the course of its life, thus providing complete traceability for later validation purposes. This undertaking is essential across the systems engineering lifecycle. This pursuit involves controlling who can access and modify data within the lifecycle. This paper describes a solution to this by the introduction of blockchain technology, a relatively new technology that allows digital information to be distributed but not copied, making it an immutable set of time-stamped data managed by a network of connected systems and services. Though blockchain technology is not commonly referred to when discussing Industry 4.0, the technology’s capabilities should add value when applied in a context of data management and security within the lifecycle of a product or services and in conjunction with digital twins, big data, and IoT. This paper describes how permissioned blockchains can be implemented within a systems engineering lifecycle, providing example architecture patterns showing how data provenance can be maintained throughout.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilhaam Omar ◽  
Raja Jayaraman ◽  
Khaled Salah ◽  
Ibrar Yaqoob ◽  
Samer Ellahham

<p>Blockchain technology has disclosed unprecedented opportunities in the healthcare sector by unlocking the true value of interoperability. Specifically, the striking features of blockchain technology, such as data provenance, transparency, decentralized transaction validation, and immutability can help to compensate for stringent data management issues (e.g., patient recruitment, persistent monitoring, data management, and data analytics and accurate reporting) in clinical trials (CTs). Although several research studies show that blockchain solutions help to improve patient retention, data integrity, privacy, and ensure CTs compliance with regulatory policies, a comprehensive survey on this topic is lacking. In this survey, we provide insights into the adoption of blockchain technology in CTs. We categorize and classify the literature by devising a meticulous taxonomy of the decentralized tasks of CT and practices based on indispensable parameters. Furthermore, we provide insights on works in progress towards deploying blockchain solutions in CTs. Finally, we identify and discuss several challenges that hinder the successful implementation of blockchain technologies in CTs.</p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilhaam Omar ◽  
Raja Jayaraman ◽  
Khaled Salah ◽  
Ibrar Yaqoob ◽  
Samer Ellahham

<p>Blockchain technology has disclosed unprecedented opportunities in the healthcare sector by unlocking the true value of interoperability. Specifically, the striking features of blockchain technology, such as data provenance, transparency, decentralized transaction validation, and immutability can help to compensate for stringent data management issues (e.g., patient recruitment, persistent monitoring, data management, and data analytics and accurate reporting) in clinical trials (CTs). Although several research studies show that blockchain solutions help to improve patient retention, data integrity, privacy, and ensure CTs compliance with regulatory policies, a comprehensive survey on this topic is lacking. In this survey, we provide insights into the adoption of blockchain technology in CTs. We categorize and classify the literature by devising a meticulous taxonomy of the decentralized tasks of CT and practices based on indispensable parameters. Furthermore, we provide insights on works in progress towards deploying blockchain solutions in CTs. Finally, we identify and discuss several challenges that hinder the successful implementation of blockchain technologies in CTs.</p>


Author(s):  
Paweł SZEWCZYK ◽  

Purpose:The technology industry has become incredibly dynamic and complex, so by utilizing the information technology (IT) framework in the approach to new technology, businesses can avoid confusion around the application of new trends since IT operations can deliver business value. Design/methodology/approach: An overview of recent literature of some assets digitization concepts was applied. In particular the concept of digital twins was presented. Finally, applying the blockchain technology the security from hackers due to its encryption features may be provided. Findings: The improvement of digital twins through blockchain technology is set to transform industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and beyond and, companies can work towards building their future business strategies. Practical and social implications: The impact that digital twins can make is huge. Many are just now in development due to the complexity of their creation, but soon millions of things will have digital twins. And their usefulness and capabilities will continue to evolve. On the other hand blockchain technology has the potential to become the most relevant and capable way to generate and monitor digital twins due to the security and immutability of technology. Originality/value A jet engine, a human heart, even an entire city can all have a digital twin that mirrors the same physical and biological properties as the real thing enabling three critical drivers: continuous evaluation; faster, cheaper prototyping and innovating at the limits (ethics)


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranav C

UNSTRUCTURED The word blockchain elicits thoughts of cryptocurrency much of the time, which does disservice to this disruptive new technology. Agreed, bitcoin launched in 2011 was the first large scale implementation of blockchain technology. Also, Bitcoin’s success has triggered the establishment of nearly 1000 new cryptocurrencies. This again lead to the delusion that the only application of blockchain technology is for the creation of cryptocurrency. However, the blockchain technology is capable of a lot more than just cryptocurrency creation and may support such things as transactions that require personal identification, peer review, elections and other types of democratic decision-making and audit trails. Blockchain exists with real world implementations beyond cryptocurrencies and these solutions deliver powerful benefits to healthcare organizations, bankers, retailers and consumers among others. One of the areas where blockchain technology can be used effectively is healthcare industry. Proper application of this technology in healthcare will not only save billions of money but also will contribute to the growth in research. This review paper briefly defines blockchain and deals in detail the applications of blockchain in various areas particularly in healthcare industry.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1887-1896
Author(s):  
Vahid Salehi

AbstractCurrently, inconsistent software versions lead to massive challenges for many car manufacturers. This is partly because within the product lifecycle management and the software engineering process, there is no correct handling of software versions for the “data entry” (installation of software on the ECU) of the vehicles. Furthermore, there are currently major challenges for many vehicle manufacturers to ensure transparency, integrity and full traceability of SW data status vis-à-vis the legislator. To counteract these challenges, new solutions in the field of vehicle engineering are to be developed based on a new platform called “CarEngChainNet” and Blockchain technology. On the basis of the “CarEngChainNet” platform, new main and sub-chain chains will be developed that allow tamper-proof SW data management (Peer to Peer and crypto technology) across the entire PLM chain with new methods such as model-based systems engineering of the requirement, function and integration of the SW components in different areas of vehicle development. The aim is to develop new transmission chains of vehicles with individually packaged software artefacts (e.g. ECU software) that can be securely transmitted from server to server into the vehicle.


Author(s):  
Paolo Pileggi ◽  
Elena Lazovik ◽  
Jeroen Broekhuijsen ◽  
Michael Borth ◽  
Jacques Verriet

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-94
Author(s):  
Pham Quang Huy ◽  
Vu Kien Phuc

Abstract This research ferreted out to inspect the interconnection between emotional intelligence (EI), Blockchain technology application (BLO) and the effectiveness of Accounting information system (AIS). Survey-based data obtained from 412 respondents were applied to validate the model hypotheses. Building on the statistical analysis with the support of SPSS 25.0 and SMART- PLS (partial least squares) 3.2.8 software package, the model results inferred the impact of EI on BLO. Besides, the outputs of the study accentuated on the importance of BLO on the effectiveness of AIS. These significant additions will optimistically inspire other scholars to carry on exploring the relationship between EI and BLO in enhancing the effectiveness of AIS in research settings as well as in explaining the results. On the other hand, taking these results into consideration could promote much better solutions for issues relevant to EI and new technology application among public sector organization (PSO) in term of increasing the performance of AIS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6348
Author(s):  
Sultan Çetin ◽  
Catherine De Wolf ◽  
Nancy Bocken

Digital technologies are considered to be an essential enabler of the circular economy in various industries. However, to date, very few studies have investigated which digital technologies could enable the circular economy in the built environment. This study specifically focuses on the built environment as one of the largest, most energy- and material-intensive industries globally, and investigates the following question: which digital technologies potentially enable a circular economy in the built environment, and in what ways? The research uses an iterative stepwise method: (1) framework development based on regenerating, narrowing, slowing and closing resource loop principles; (2) expert workshops to understand the usage of digital technologies in a circular built environment; (3) a literature and practice review to further populate the emerging framework with relevant digital technologies; and (4) the final mapping of digital technologies onto the framework. This study develops a novel Circular Digital Built Environment framework. It identifies and maps ten enabling digital technologies to facilitate a circular economy in the built environment. These include: (1) additive/robotic manufacturing, (2) artificial intelligence, (3) big data and analytics, (4) blockchain technology, (5) building information modelling, (6) digital platforms/marketplaces, (7) digital twins, (8) the geographical information system, (9) material passports/databanks, and (10) the internet of things. The framework provides a fruitful starting point for the novel research avenue at the intersection of circular economy, digital technology and the built environment, and gives practitioners inspiration for sustainable innovation in the sector.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cigdem Turhan ◽  
Ibrahim Akman

PurposeBlockchain is a relatively new technology. Although it has a high potential to influence organizational strategies for adoption into respective operations, it has not been widely explored yet. This study aims to assess the sectoral diversity in the timing of organizational adoption of blockchain through selected organizational factors.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted based on a sample of 208 IT professionals. The data was collected using an instrument containing 17 questions. The existence of sector diversity was statistically analyzed using the Least Square Regression method.FindingsThe results indicate that, except for management support and perceived ease of use, all the other factors in the analysis significantly influence sector diversity in terms of blockchain adoption timing.Originality/valueAlthough blockchain has received attention from researchers, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no published work in the literature that explores the organizational factors influencing sectoral differences in the timing of blockchain technology adoption. Therefore, our work is unique in the related literature since we present analyses for the diversity between public and private sectors by modeling the factors affecting the intentions for the timing of blockchain adoption as part of the organizations' IT infrastructure.


Author(s):  
Kevin A. Clauson ◽  
Elizabeth A. Breeden ◽  
Cameron Davidson ◽  
Timothy K. Mackey

Background: Effective supply chain management is a challenge in every sector, but in healthcare there is added complexity and risk as a compromised supply chain in healthcare can directly impact patient safety and health outcomes. One potential solution for improving security, integrity, data provenance, and functionality of the health supply chain is blockchain technology. Objectives: Provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges associated with blockchain adoption and deployment for the health supply chain, with a focus on the pharmaceutical supply, medical device and supplies, Internet of Healthy Things (IoHT), and public health sectors. Methods: A narrative review was conducted of the academic literature, grey literature, and industry publications, in addition to identifying and characterizing select stakeholders engaged in exploring blockchain solutions for the health supply chain. Results: Critical challenges in protecting the integrity of the health supply chain appear well suited for adoption of blockchain technology. Use cases are emerging, including using blockchain to combat counterfeit medicines, securing medical devices, optimizing functionality of IoHT, and improving the public health supply chain. Despite these clear opportunities, most blockchain initiatives remain in proof-of-concept or pilot phase. Conclusion: Blockchain technology has the unrealized promise to help improve the health supply chain, but further study, evaluation and alignment with policy mechanisms is needed. Keywords: Blockchain, Distributed Ledger, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical, Supply chain  


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