Blockchain Technologies for Smart Circular Economy and Organisational Sustainability

This book provides a descriptive overview of blockchain technology domain, we observe a transformative influence that has surpassed its initial application in Bitcoin and has permeated nearly all industries.  The utilisation of distributed ledger technology presents a significant transformation in the realm of data management, trust, and transparency.  Its impact extends beyond financial transactions and encompasses other domains like supply chain optimization, identity verification, and the development of decentralized apps.  The process of transformation has been initiated in various industries, including finance, healthcare, and logistics.

In contrast, there is a notable increase in the adoption of the smart circular economy frameworks as a response to the heightened acknowledgment of the environmental and resource-related obstacles linked to the traditional linear paradigm of "extract, produce, discard." The primary objective of the circular economy is to limit the generation of waste, advance sustainable product design, and promote responsible resource utilization through the facilitation of recycling, remanufacturing, and the prolongation of product lifespans.  This movement holds significance for various industries, including manufacturing, waste management, and sustainable consumerism, due to its wide-ranging ramifications.

Its unique characteristic is its capacity to connect these two realms, emphasizing the potential of blockchain technology in facilitating transparent data management and smart contracts to advance the concepts of the circular economy.  The book offers a thorough examination of the topic, offering readers a grasp of the fundamental principles of blockchain as well as the dynamic field of sustainability.  This renders it an indispensable reference for individuals interested in the interdisciplinary ramifications of technology on sustainability, and the transformative possibilities of blockchain within the realm of resource-efficient and environmentally conscious approaches.  The book exemplifies a progressive perspective by demonstrating the significant role that inventive technology can assume in tackling the urgent issues of our era, revolutionising sectors, and influencing the trajectory of a more circular and environmentally conscious global society.

Rubee Singh is an assistant professor of human resource at Institute of Business Management, GLA University, India. She is a post-doctoral (D. Litt) researcher at Kumaun University, Nainital, India. She holds a Ph.D. in management from Noida International University, India, and an MBA in HR from Dr A.P. J. Abdul Kalam Technical University, India. She has published 25 academic books, and more than 75+ research papers in SCI, ABDC-A, Scopus & UGC index journals. Her areas of research are net zero, circular economy, digital CE, sustainability, digital HRM, sustainable HRM, Industry 4.0/5.0, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Innovation and CSR. She has been honoured with many prestigious awards, which include consecutive Best Researchers Award of the Year-2022-23, and 2023-24 by GLA University, Child Ambassador Award of The Year 2022, Iconic Faculty Award 2019, International Young Researchers Award-2021, Young Scientist Award 2020, and Nari Ratan Award 2023.

 Wasswa Shafik, a remarkable computer scientist, information technologist, and educator, hails from the vibrant capital city of Uganda, Kampala. His passion extends beyond technology, encompassing people’s health, justice, and the responsible use of technological advancements, regardless of race, religion, or sex. With a strong educational background, he holds a bachelor's degree in information technology engineering with a minor in mathematics from Ndejje University, Uganda. He further pursued a master of engineering degree in information technology engineering (MIT) with a computer and communication network option from Yazd University, Iran, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Brunei Darussalam. As a member of the IEEE, Shafik has made significant contributions in various domains such as smart agriculture, health informatics, computer vision, network science, and security and privacy He has published more than 80 research articles, book sections, and conferences in many reputed journals, including Scopus Q1, Q2, and SCI in different publishers.

 Vikas Kumar is an associate dean for Research Innovation and Enterprise at the Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, UK. He is also a professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management. Prof Kumar has over a decade of teaching and research experience. Prior to joining BCU, he was a director of Research and Scholarship at Bristol Business School, University of the West of England. Prof Kumar has also worked in India, Ireland, and Hong Kong. He earned his Ph.D. in Management from University of Exeter, United Kingdom. He did his graduation (B. Tech.) from National Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology Ranchi (formerly NIFFT), India. He has published over 250 journal articles and conference papers including A*/A as per ABDC and 4*/3* as per ABS indexed journals. He has an excellent research track record with over 18000 citations on Google Scholar and H-index of 73.