TY - JOUR
T1 - A blockchain-based model with an incentive mechanism for cross-border logistics supervision and data sharing in modular construction
AU - Wu, Liupengfei
AU - Li, Xiao
AU - Zhao, Rui
AU - Lu, Weisheng
AU - Xu, Jinying
AU - Xue, Fan
N1 - Funding Information:
The key to efficient cross-border logistics in modular construction (CLMC) is transparency of information for involved entities (Chang et al., 2020a). With increasingly fierce competition in the global construction market, advanced project management software such as enterprise resource planning systems (Wang et al., 2020) and building information modeling (BIM) and geographic information system (GIS) technologies have been adopted to facilitate information sharing and decision support in CLMC (Li et al., 2022). However, current information systems or platforms work in a centralized way, leading to information security issues (Xue and Lu, 2020). BIM, for example, cannot ensure a single point of trust for any modification, creating a risk of tampering. Where module quality becomes a focus of cross-border disputes in CLMC, logistics information cannot be secured.The work presented in this paper was financially supported by the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) with the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) (No. ITP/029/20LP). The work presented in this paper was partially supported by grants from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong SAR of China (RGC Project No.15219422) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC Project No. 72201228).
Funding Information:
The work presented in this paper was financially supported by the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) with the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) (No. ITP/029/20LP). The work presented in this paper was partially supported by grants from the Research Grants Council of the Hong Kong SAR of China (RGC Project No. 15219422 ) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC Project No. 72201228 ).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022
PY - 2022/11/15
Y1 - 2022/11/15
N2 - Sustainability in cross-border logistics requires issues such as fragmented management to be addressed. Particular challenges arise in cross-border logistics in modular construction (CLMC) because supervision is inefficient, primarily due to continued use of paper-based documentation. Researchers have developed digital platforms that integrate accurate prefabricated module location information but their centralized operation creates information security issues such as tampering. Blockchain technology can overcome this limitation but relies on user participation. This study, therefore, develops a blockchain-based supervision (BBS) model with incentives for application in CLMC. The BBS model is developed using a design science research approach to enhance supervision of CLMC and motivate users to share data promptly, and then a prototype system is developed and evaluated in a CLMC case. The results show that the system brings a positive change in product accountability (df = 8, t = 0.6601, p = 0.528) compared with current paper-based recording process (df = 8, t = 0.0035, p = 0.997), and a positive change in data traceability (df = 8, t = 1.468, p = 0.180) compared with existing process (df = 8, t = 0.042, p = 0.967). In addition, this study obtains higher scores (552) than others in evaluating the incentive mechanisms. The security analysis is also discussed through data immutability, non-repudiation, authentication, and authorization. The findings of this study pave the way for a tamper-proof, incentive-enabled supervision mechanism in modular construction.
AB - Sustainability in cross-border logistics requires issues such as fragmented management to be addressed. Particular challenges arise in cross-border logistics in modular construction (CLMC) because supervision is inefficient, primarily due to continued use of paper-based documentation. Researchers have developed digital platforms that integrate accurate prefabricated module location information but their centralized operation creates information security issues such as tampering. Blockchain technology can overcome this limitation but relies on user participation. This study, therefore, develops a blockchain-based supervision (BBS) model with incentives for application in CLMC. The BBS model is developed using a design science research approach to enhance supervision of CLMC and motivate users to share data promptly, and then a prototype system is developed and evaluated in a CLMC case. The results show that the system brings a positive change in product accountability (df = 8, t = 0.6601, p = 0.528) compared with current paper-based recording process (df = 8, t = 0.0035, p = 0.997), and a positive change in data traceability (df = 8, t = 1.468, p = 0.180) compared with existing process (df = 8, t = 0.042, p = 0.967). In addition, this study obtains higher scores (552) than others in evaluating the incentive mechanisms. The security analysis is also discussed through data immutability, non-repudiation, authentication, and authorization. The findings of this study pave the way for a tamper-proof, incentive-enabled supervision mechanism in modular construction.
KW - Blockchain
KW - Cross-border logistics
KW - Incentive mechanism
KW - Modular construction
KW - Sustainability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85138453901&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133460
DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133460
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85138453901
SN - 0959-6526
VL - 375
JO - Journal of Cleaner Production
JF - Journal of Cleaner Production
M1 - 133460
ER -