E-grāmata: Blockchain for Good: The Transformative Impacts on Industry, Community and the Planet [Taylor & Francis e-book]

"Blockchain, the technical infrastructure underpinning cryptocurrencies, has advanced to become one of the most disruptive technological innovations in the recent digital era, creating transformative foundations for industry, community and the planet. The development of blockchain-based applications in finance and beyond has demonstrated its capability in disrupting business-as-usual and enabling radical reforms across industries and society through its decentralised and distributed architecture. While technological optimists so far have tended to quickly embrace blockchain as a way to replace decades-old trading, regulatory and governance systems, there are also reasons to be cautious. The idealism of technological solutionism needs to be tempered with criticality and realism. This book aims to contribute to this task. While there are already many accounts detailing the technical aspects of blockchain, this book offers a carefully curated international and diverse selection of chapters discussing applications of blockchain based on ethical values - or simply: blockchain for good. While we acknowledge the various and immense challenges inherent in blockchain research and development, the goal of this book is to bring together an interdisciplinary chorus of voices not only from computer science, information systems and business management but also from the humanities and social sciences concerned about the social, environmental and ethical dimensions of blockchain research, applications and use"--

Blockchain, a technology originally developed for cryptocurrency, has evolved into a versatile tool capable of driving significant change across industries and communities. Its decentralised, secure, and transparent nature has proven valuable in applications that transcend finance, impacting supply chains, digital governance, and sustainability practices. By enabling greater trust and accountability, blockchain technology can foster ethical solutions to global challenges, promoting transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency within sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and environmental management. This book explores blockchain’s role as a catalyst for meaningful change and its potential to contribute positively to our digital future.

Structured into three parts—Industry, Community, and Planet—this book examines blockchain’s role in advancing (i) sustainable business practices, (ii) supporting fairer social systems, and (iii) addressing environmental goals. Each section presents diverse case studies and theoretical insights, showing how blockchain can be applied responsibly and ethically. From enhancing transparency in fashion supply chains to supporting smallholder farmers, and from reshaping public governance to promoting the circular economy, the book offers a thorough understanding of blockchain’s transformative capabilities. It highlights interdisciplinary research and applied projects across the globe that exemplify blockchain’s capacity to serve societal and environmental purposes.

Ideal for researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals, this book provides practical insights into blockchain’s potential beyond the hype. Whether you are in technology, social sciences, or environmental studies, Blockchain for Good serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in exploring how blockchain can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.

Blockchain for Good: The Transformative Impacts on Industry, Community, and the Planet explores how blockchain technology can drive ethical, social, and environmental advancements.