Blockchain is a technology that enables the creation and maintenance of a distributed, decentralized, and immutable ledger of transactions and data. Blockchain has the potential to transform the supply chain management (SCM) by providing solutions for some of the common challenges and opportunities in the sector, such as data security, data interoperability, data transparency, supply chain visibility, and supply chain coordination. Here is a brief overview of some of the main impacts of blockchain on SCM:

- **Data security**: Blockchain can enhance the security and privacy of supply chain data, as it can enable the encryption, decentralization, and immutability of data, as well as the selective disclosure and consent of data owners. This can prevent unauthorized access, leakage, or tampering of data, as well as protect the data from cyberattacks or human errors. For example, Akiri¹ is a network-as-a-service platform that uses blockchain to securely transport and share healthcare data across different stakeholders.

- **Data interoperability**: Blockchain can enhance the interoperability and accessibility of supply chain data, as it can enable the standardization, integration, and sharing of data across different platforms, systems, and organizations. This can improve the efficiency and quality of supply chain services, as well as empower the suppliers and customers to access and control their own data. For example, Medicalchain² is a platform that uses blockchain to create a single, secure, and universal health record for patients, which can be accessed and updated by authorized healthcare providers.

- **Data transparency**: Blockchain can enhance the transparency and accountability of supply chain data, as it can enable the verification, validation, and auditability of data, as well as the traceability and provenance of data sources and transactions. This can improve the trust and reliability of supply chain data, as well as enable the evaluation and improvement of supply chain outcomes and performance. For example, Embleema³ is a platform that uses blockchain to create a decentralized network of real-world health data, which can be used for clinical research and drug development.

- **Supply chain visibility**: Blockchain can enhance the visibility and traceability of the supply chain, as it can enable the tracking, monitoring, and verification of the movement and condition of products and materials, from the origin to the destination. This can improve the safety and quality of products and materials, as well as reduce the costs and risks of counterfeit, fraud, or waste. For example, Chronicled⁴ is a platform that uses blockchain to create a secure and transparent network of medical supply chain partners, which can ensure the compliance and integrity of medical products and devices.

- **Supply chain coordination**: Blockchain can enhance the coordination and collaboration of the supply chain, as it can enable the automation and execution of transactions and contracts, using smart contracts and cryptocurrencies. This can reduce the frictions and conflicts of the supply chain, such as delays, errors, or disputes, as well as increase the incentives and rewards of the supply chain. For example, Provenance⁵ is a platform that uses blockchain to create a fair and sustainable supply chain, where producers, retailers, and consumers can share information and value.

These are some of the examples of how blockchain can impact SCM, but there are many more potential applications and benefits that can be explored and realized. Blockchain can provide a new paradigm for SCM, where data, products, and transactions can be more secure, interoperable, transparent, visible, and coordinated. However, blockchain also faces some challenges and risks that need to be addressed and mitigated, such as scalability, security, regulation, and user adoption. Therefore, blockchain requires careful and responsible development, adoption, and regulation, as well as continuous research and education.

If you want to learn more about blockchain and SCM, you can check out some of the following resources:

- [Blockchain-enabled supply chain: analysis, challenges, and future directions](^1^) by Sohail Jabbar et al., a comprehensive and academic overview of blockchain and its applications, opportunities, and challenges in the supply chain sector.

- [Blockchain in supply chain management: a review, bibliometric, and network analysis](^2^) by Javid Moosavi et al., a systematic review of the literature on blockchain and SCM, using bibliometric and network analysis techniques.

- [When Blockchain Meets Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda](^3^) by Zhen Li et al., a systematic literature review of the current state and future directions of blockchain applications in SCM, using a research framework based on the design science methodology.

- [Exploratory Analysis of Blockchain Platforms in Supply Chain Management](^4^) by J. Moosavi et al., an exploratory analysis of the existing blockchain platforms and their features, functionalities, and challenges in SCM.

- [Blockchain technology in supply chain management: insights from machine learning](^5^) by A. K. Agnihotri et al., a machine learning-based analysis of the trends, topics, and sentiments of the online discussions on blockchain and SCM.

(1) Blockchain-enabled supply chain: analysis, challenges, and future .... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00530-020-00687-0.

(2) Blockchain in supply chain management: a review, bibliometric, and .... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-13094-3.

(3) When Blockchain Meets Supply Chain: A Systematic ... - IEEE Xplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9047881.

(4) Exploratory Analysis of Blockchain Platforms in Supply Chain Management. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/10/9/206.

(5) Blockchain technology in supply chain management: insights from machine .... https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/MABR-07-2020-0043/full/html.

(6) Blockchain-enabled supply chain: analysis, challenges, and future .... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00530-020-00687-0.

(7) Blockchain in supply chain management: a review, bibliometric, and .... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-021-13094-3.

(8) When Blockchain Meets Supply Chain: A Systematic ... - IEEE Xplore. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9047881.

(9) Exploratory Analysis of Blockchain Platforms in Supply Chain Management. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/10/9/206.

(10) Blockchain technology in supply chain management: insights from machine .... https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/MABR-07-2020-0043/full/html.