10 Sessions (1 credit)
This 10-hour course explores the transformative role of blockchain in supply chain management, focusing on transparency, traceability, and efficiency improvements. Through case studies from Harvard and Ivey, readings, and hands-on exercises, participants will acquire practical skills to apply blockchain solutions effectively to real-world supply chain challenges.
- Supply chain and logistics managers
- Operations and procurement professionals
- IT and tech specialists in logistics
- Business analysts and project managers in supply chain industries
- Professionals seeking to leverage blockchain for process improvements in supply chains
- Manufacturing
- Retail and E-commerce
- Food and Beverage
- Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare
- Logistics and Distribution
- Automotive and Aerospace
- FMCG
- Introduce blockchain fundamentals and its applications in supply chains.
- Develop skills to identify and assess blockchain opportunities in supply chain management.
- Equip participants with tools to analyze blockchain’s impact on transparency, traceability, and efficiency.
- Guide participants in planning and implementing blockchain solutions within their organizations.
- Provide real-world case studies demonstrating successful applications of blockchain.
- Lectures and presentations for theoretical understanding.
- Case study discussions to analyze real-world applications.
- Group projects for collaborative application
- Quizzes and interactive assessments to reinforce learning.
- Understand blockchain fundamentals and its relevance in supply chains.
- Identify and evaluate blockchain use cases across supply chain sectors.
- Apply blockchain concepts to improve transparency, traceability, and efficiency.
- Develop an implementation roadmap for blockchain in their organization.
- Assess the impact of blockchain on supply chain processes.
- Tapscott, D., Iansiti, M., & Lakhani, K. R. (2019). Blockchain: the insights you need from harvard business review. Harvard Business Press.
- Tapscott, D. (Ed.). (2020). Supply chain revolution: How blockchain technology is transforming the global flow of assets. Barlow Book Publishing.
- Vyas, N., Beije, A., & Krishnamachari, B. (2019). Blockchain and the supply chain: concepts, strategies and practical applications. Kogan Page Publishers.
- Kshetri, N. (2021). Blockchain and supply chain management. Elsevier.
| Module No. | Session No. | Topics | Readings / Case Study / Videos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Module 1 Fundamentals of Blockchain (Asynchronous) | 1 | Introduction to Blockchain
Overview of blockchain fundamentals, terminology, and how it differs from traditional databases. |
“Blockchain Basics” (Chapter 1) by Daniel Drescher; “Blockchain for Supply Chain” by Deloitte Insights Case: “Blockchain: A New Solution for Supply Chains?” (Harvard) |
| 2 | Blockchain in Supply Chain
How blockchain addresses common supply chain challenges: transparency, traceability, and efficiency. |
“The Blockchain Supply Chain” (Harvard Business Review) Case: “Blockchain and Food Traceability at Agri-Tech” (Ivey) |
|
| Module 2 Blockchain for Supply chain (Asynchronous) | 3 | Blockchain Use Cases in Supply Chains
Industry use cases: manufacturing, food safety, logistics, and pharmaceuticals. |
“Blockchain and the Supply Chain” by IBM Supply Chain Academy Case: “Provenance: How a Digital Platform is Improving Supply Chain Transparency” (Ivey) |
| 4 | Blockchain for Transparency
Blockchain’s role in creating transparency in complex, multi-stakeholder supply chains. |
“Transparency in Supply Chains: Blockchain Potential” (World Economic Forum) Case: “De Beers: Blockchain to Trace the Source of Diamonds” (Harvard) |
|
| 5 | Traceability with Blockchain
Using blockchain to enhance traceability in supply chains. |
“Blockchain for Traceability” by Deloitte; “Blockchain for Provenance” (MIT Sloan Management Review) Case: “The Walmart China Blockchain Traceability System” (Harvard) |
|
| Module 3 Blockchain Strategy and Applications (Asynchronous) | 6 | Blockchain Platforms and Tools
Overview of blockchain platforms (e.g., Ethereum, Hyperledger) and tools for supply chains. |
“Hyperledger Fabric Whitepaper”; “Ethereum Platform Overview” Case: “IBM Food Trust: Blockchain for the Global Food Ecosystem” (Ivey) |
| 7 | Hands-on Workshop
Practical experience with a blockchain platform, simulating supply chain processes. |
Blockchain Platforms and Tools
“Hands-On Blockchain for Supply Chain” (Practical guide or tutorial) Workshop Simulation: Simulated Supply Chain Scenario |
|
| 8 | Blockchain Implementation Roadmap
Steps to assess, plan, and implement a blockchain solution for a supply chain. |
“A Roadmap for Blockchain Implementation” (McKinsey & Company) Case: “Blockchain Adoption at FedEx: Improving Supply Chain Logistics” (Harvard) |
|
| Module 4 Assessment (Synchronous) | 9 | Group Project: Case Analysis
Participants analyze and present a real-world case study involving blockchain in supply chains. |
Group-selected case study readings from above materials Participant Presentations: Case analysis and group presentations |
| 10 | Evaluation and Wrap-Up
Course recap, Q&A, feedback on group projects and learning outcomes. |
“Blockchain in Supply Chain: Future Trends” (MIT Supply Chain Review) |