Name: Pritam Verma

Roll No.: 047

Section: B
Enrolment No.: A91801924047
Course: MBA 2024-26
Semester: 1
Subject: Applications of Disruptive
Technologies in Business (CSIT648)
Institution: Amity Business School,
Kolkata
 Blockchain Technology and Its Impact on
Supply Chain Transparency and Efficiency

INTRODUCTION:
Acknowledging “Blockchain” technology has evolved as a revolutionary
invention, revolutionizing the basics of many industries by providing and
improving transparency, security, or efficiency. Bitcoin The First use case
for this sort of architecture, having originated as a backend system. Its
users are not limited to digital currencies only. Blockchain proposed a
decentralized, immutable ledger that is easily possible to track and verify
goods in real time opening a new perspective on supply management
chain operations. Referred to as the traditional supply chain, this system
is often opaque and inadequate which gives lots of room for waste,
negative side effects on human rights (ant)illegal activity such fraud and
an infeasibility to trace where things came from something that becomes
more urgent with the rise of accountability & social responsibility or
ethical sources. By offering a safe, impenetrable system that enables all
parties involved from producers to customers to access a common,
verifiable record of transactions, blockchain tackles these issues.

HISTORY:
Blockchain was first made public in 2008 when a person or group going by
the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto published a white paper titled "Bitcoin:
A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System." Although the technology was first
created to facilitate the use of the virtual currency Bitcoin, its uses have
grown over time.

Timeline of Key Developments

Yea Development
r

200 Bitcoin white paper published

8
201 First blockchain transaction conducted
0
 201 Introduction of smart contracts with Ethereum
3
201 Launch of Hyperledger, promoting enterprise solutions
5
202 Significant adoption in supply chain management
0
202 Expansion of blockchain use in various industries, including
1 healthcare and finance

Diagram: Blockchain Overview

[Transaction] --> [Block Creation] --> [Consensus Mechanism] -->
[Block Addition to Chain]
In this diagram, transactions are bundled into blocks, validated through
consensus mechanisms, and added to an immutable chain, forming the
basis of blockchain technology.

ANALYSIS:

SWOT Analysis:
 Strengths
o Transparency: By allowing all supply chain actors to access
the same data, it fosters responsibility and confidence.

o Immutability: Data cannot be changed once it is stored on the

blockchain, which lowers the possibility of fraud.

o Decentralisation: Reduces costs and speeds up transactions

by doing away with the need for middlemen.

 Weaknesses
o Scalability Problems: Current blockchain systems might not be
able to effectively manage many transactions.
 o Energy Consumption: Sustainability issues are brought up by
the substantial energy consumption of some consensus
processes, such as Proof of Work.

o Regulatory Uncertainty: The constantly changing regulatory

environment may make implementation difficult.

 Opportunities
o Integration with IoT: Blockchain technology with Internet of
Things (IoT) devices can improve real-time product tracking.

o Global Trade: As global trade grows, there is a greater

demand for transparent, safe mechanisms.

o Better Traceability: Better monitoring features can guarantee

quality and aid in the fight against fake goods.

 Threats
o Cybersecurity Risks: If blockchain networks are not
adequately secured, they may still be subject to assaults.

o Market Competition: Blockchain's dominance in data

management may face competition from emerging
technologies like artificial intelligence and big data.

o Opposition to Change: A lot of businesses can be reluctant to

switch from conventional supply chain procedures to
blockchain-based solutions.

PESTLE ANALYSIS:
 Political
Blockchain technology is being investigated by governments all
around the world to improve transaction transparency in the public
sector. For example, to combat corruption, some nations are
implementing blockchain technology for land registers.

 Economic
Although putting blockchain into practice can be expensive initially,
the long-term gains from improved productivity and decreased
fraud might make the expense worthwhile. Businesses can get a
 competitive advantage by implementing blockchain technology.

 Social
Consumers are calling for more openness regarding the provenance
and calibre of goods. Businesses that use blockchain technology can
satisfy these demands by offering substantiated details regarding
the sourcing and manufacturing procedures of their products.

 Technological
Blockchain technology is becoming more practical for supply chain
applications thanks to technological advancements including
improved security features and platform interoperability. Enterprise-
level solutions are made possible by the emergence of platforms
such as Hyperledger Fabric.

 Legal
The blockchain's regulatory environment is continually evolving. To
maintain compliance, businesses must negotiate complicated legal
environments that might differ greatly between jurisdictions.

 Environmental
In supply chains, environmentally friendly methods are becoming
increasingly important. Blockchain can improve sustainable product
traceability, empowering customers to make wise decisions. But
there are still worries about how blockchain's energy usage may
affect the environment.

Recent Examples and Cases

o Walmart and IBM
Project: To improve food safety, Walmart and IBM collaborated to
deploy the Food Trust blockchain system.

Impact: Walmart can now swiftly pinpoint the origin of food

products thanks to this method, cutting down on the time needed to
monitor contamination from weeks to seconds. Walmart increases
consumer safety and fosters trust by enhancing traceability.

o De Beers
Project: De Beers tracks the origin of gems using blockchain
technology.

Impact: In response to consumer concerns regarding unethical

activities in the diamond industry, the company makes sure that
 diamonds are sourced responsibly and without conflict. Consumer
trust and brand reputation are strengthened by this campaign.

o IBM and Maersk

Project: Maersk and IBM collaborated to create Trade Lens, a
blockchain-based shipping, and logistics platform.
Impact: By giving stakeholders real-time visibility into shipping
procedures, Trade Lens lowers delays and improves stakeholder
engagement. The technology increases global supply chain
efficiency and reduces costs by simplifying procedures.

Findings:

Blockchain integration in supply chains has demonstrated a great deal of

promise for increasing efficiency and transparency. Businesses may
improve product tracking, lower fraud, and react swiftly to disruptions by
utilising blockchain technology. By offering a single source of truth, the
system facilitates stakeholder collaboration, which is crucial for efficient
supply chain management.

Conclusions:

Blockchain technology offers a viable way to increase the efficiency and

transparency of the supply chain. Blockchain can promote accountability
and trust among stakeholders by tackling major issues like fraud and lack
of visibility. However, for broad use, issues like scalability and regulatory
uncertainties need to be resolved.

Suggestions:
o Pilot Programs: Before using blockchain solutions on a large scale,
businesses should think about starting pilot projects to test them in
a controlled setting.

o Cooperation: Work with industry groups to exchange best practices

and discuss typical obstacles to blockchain adoption.

o Education and Training: Fund educational initiatives to improve staff

and stakeholders' comprehension of blockchain technology.
 o Prioritise Interoperability: As more blockchain solutions become
available, businesses should give top priority to those that enable
interoperability to optimise platform benefits.

References:
1. Nakamoto, S. (2008). Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash
System.
2. Tapscott, D., & Tapscott, A. (2016). Blockchain Revolution: How the
Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money, Business, and the
World.
3. Mougayar, W. (2016). The Business Blockchain: Promise, Practice,
and the Application of the Next Internet Internet Internet.
4. "Walmart and IBM’s Blockchain Collaboration: The Next Step in Food
Safety." IBM.
5. "De Beers’ Blockchain for Diamonds." De Beers Group.
6. "TradeLens: A Blockchain-Based Shipping Solution." Maersk.
 The Ethical Implications of AI-Driven
Autonomous Vehicles

Introduction:

The emergence of driverless cars powered by AI is changing our

perspective on transportation. Imagine a society in which automobiles can
speak with one another, negotiate congested streets, and prevent
collisions without the need for human assistance. Although this
technology promises more convenience and safer roadways, it also raises
several moral issues that society must address.

We are confronted with important questions regarding safety,

accountability, and decision-making as fully autonomous vehicles become
more prevalent in our daily lives. In the event of an inevitable collision, for
example, how should an autonomous car choose, who should be
prioritised? When driving-related jobs are replaced by automobiles, what
happens to such jobs? And how can we guarantee that user privacy is
respected in the data that these cars collect?

History:

Over the course of several decades, the idea of autonomous vehicles has
changed, with advances in technology leading to their current form. A
timeline highlighting significant advancements in AV technology may be
seen below.

Timeline of Key Developments

Yea Development
r

192 First driverless car demonstration (Burdick’s car)

5
198 Mercedes-Benz develops the first autonomous vehicle prototype
 0
200 DARPA Grand Challenge encourages development of autonomous
4 vehicles
201 Google begins testing its self-driving car project
0
201 Uber launches its autonomous vehicle pilot program
6
202 Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, offers public rides in fully
0 autonomous vehicles

Diagram: Levels of Vehicle Automation

Level 0: No Automation
Level 1: Driver Assistance (e.g., adaptive cruise control)
Level 2: Partial Automation (e.g., Tesla's Autopilot)
Level 3: Conditional Automation (e.g., Audi's Traffic Jam Pilot)
Level 4: High Automation (e.g., Waymo's fully autonomous taxi)
Level 5: Full Automation (no human intervention required)

ANALYSIS:

SWOT Analysis:
 Strengths

o Safety Benefits: Approximately 94% of road accidents are the

result of human error, which AVs may help to prevent.

o Traffic Efficiency: By optimising traffic flow, AI algorithms can

cut down on travel time and congestion.

o Accessibility: People who are unable to drive, such as the old

and disabled, can move more easily thanks to autonomous
cars.
  Weaknesses

o Technical Restrictions: Complex driving situations, like as bad

weather or unsigned routes, may be difficult for current AV
technology to handle.

o Public Acceptance: Widespread adoption may be hampered

by mistrust and anxiety about technology.

o High Costs: The substantial expenditure needed for the

development and implementation of AVs may be a deterrent
for many businesses.

 Opportunities

o Mobility Innovation: New business models like ride-sharing

and delivery services can be sparked by AVs.

o Environmental Benefits: Benefits to the environment include

lower emissions from more efficient driving and possible fleet
electrification.

o Data Utilisation: AVs can gather important data for traffic

control and urban development.

 Threats

o Cybersecurity Risks: Software flaws can result in data

breaches and hacking.

o Legal and Regulatory Difficulties: Innovation and deployment

may be hindered by unclear legislation.

o Ethical Dilemmas: When harm is inevitable, AVs must make

moral choices (such as in the tram problem).

PESTLE ANALYSIS:
  Political
AV testing and deployment laws are being developed by political
governments around the world. These rules are necessary to
guarantee public safety and specify who is responsible for incidents.

 Economic
According to estimations, the AV market is expected to develop
rapidly and reach a value of $557 billion by 2026. But this
expansion might upend established sectors like insurance and
conventional vehicle production.

 Social
There is varied public acceptance of AVs. Even though a lot of
people are aware of the possible advantages, worries about job
displacement and safety are nevertheless common. In order to allay
these anxieties, outreach and education are essential.

 Technological
The creation of secure and dependable AVs depends on
technological developments in artificial intelligence, machine
learning, and sensor technologies. But technology also brings up
issues with ethical programming and job displacement.

 Legal
Liability concerns related to AVs may not be sufficiently addressed
by current legislation. For legislators, determining who is at
responsibility in collisions involving driverless vehicles is a major
challenge.

 Environmental
By facilitating better traffic flow and electrification, environmental
AVs may help lower emissions. Urban sprawl and rising vehicle
traffic, however, continue to have an adverse effect on the
environment.

Recent Examples and Cases

o Uber’s Autonomous Vehicle Incident
An Uber self-driving car killed a pedestrian in Arizona in 2018. The
event brought up important moral issues of responsibility, liability,
and the propriety of teaching AVs to make snap judgements in life-
or-death circumstances.

o Waymo’s Safety Record

According to Waymo, a pioneer in autonomous vehicles, its self-
 driving vehicles have travelled millions of miles without a human
driver. However, evaluating how these cars respond to intricate
situations involving bikes and pedestrians raises ethical questions.

o The Trolley Problem

The tram problem, a philosophical conundrum in which one must
choose between two undesirable consequences, is frequently
brought up while discussing AVs. For instance, ethical programming
becomes crucial if an autonomous vehicle has to choose between
swerving to avoid a pedestrian and endangering its occupants.

Findings:

The moral ramifications of driverless cars powered by AI are intricate and

multidimensional. Although AVs offer efficiency and safety, there are
drawbacks that should be carefully considered. Important conclusions
include:

o Ethical criteria: As AV technology develops, it is imperative that

decision-making algorithms be subject to explicit ethical criteria.

o Public Involvement Is Essential: Acceptance can be facilitated by

addressing public concerns about job displacement and safety
through open communication and education.

o Regulatory Frameworks Must Change: Lawmakers must modify

existing frameworks to handle the difficulties presented by AVs,
such as cybersecurity and liability.

Conclusions:

Autonomous vehicles powered by AI are a revolutionary development in

transportation that may improve efficiency and safety. But it is impossible
to ignore the moral ramifications of their use. In order to address ethical
concerns and make sure that the development and use of AVs are in line
with societal values and interests, stakeholders must have constant
conversations as the technology advances.
Suggestions:

o Create Ethical Standards: Provide moral guidelines for AV

programming that put people's safety and welfare first.

o Boost Public Involvement: Run educational campaigns to inform

people about the advantages and difficulties of AV technology.

o Work together with the stakeholders: Create thorough regulatory

frameworks by collaborating with ethicists, IT developers, and
legislators.

o Invest in Research: Encourage multidisciplinary studies that

examine the moral implications of AV technology and its effects on
society.

References:
1. Goodall, N. J. (2014). "Machine Ethics and Automated Vehicles." In
Road Vehicle Automation (pp. 93-102). Springer.
2. Lin, P. (2016). "Why Ethics Matters for Autonomous Cars."
Autonomics, 8(3), 7-11.
3. Smith, B. W. (2016). "Automated Vehicles Are Probably Legal in the
United States." Harvard Law Review, 130, 2508-2546.
4. "Uber’s Self-Driving Car Hits and Kills a Pedestrian in Arizona." The
New York Times.
5. "Waymo’s Safety Report." Waymo.