Blockchain Technology: How to unblock the chain for improving business sustainability and transparency

Project summary

Blockchain is envisaged as a recent transformative, disruptive innovation and progressively gaining traction from practitioners, academics, and regulators across industries. The blockchain concept first transpired as the platform technology of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, proposed by Nakamoto (2008). Blockchain technology is a fundamentally consensus-based, distributed and immutable ledger of transaction records database (Notheisen et al., 2017). Once all parties validate the consensus-based ledger, this will increase the disintermediation level. Moreover, it eliminates the need for a trusted third party where suppliers could transact and trade directly with customers, ensure the data integrity and trace and track assets efficiently (Lacity, 2018). According to International Data Corporation (IDC), corporate spending on Blockchain solutions are expected to reach $12.4 Billion in 2022!

Blockchain technology would resolve the problem of immutable ledgers distributed to many businesses in the supply chain. Currently, customers are demanding details for transactions and the source of the manufactured products, including raw materials, suppliers, etc. Track and trace of all kinds of transactions would create an efficient, resilient, and sustainable supply chain for businesses with more transparency and security. Therefore, there are lots of opportunities to develop blockchain technology to improve business sustainability and transparency. Big challenges/gaps in research can be addressed through developing new theories, methodology and practice (Daniel, 2021). 

Entry requirements

For our PhD programmes, we normally expect you to have a First or Upper-Second (2:1) honours degree and preferably a master's degree from a UK university or qualifications that we consider to be equivalent.

Good knowledge of or ability to quickly learn quantitative/qualitative/multi-research methods and quantitative/qualitative/multi-analysis techniques

Relevant industrial experience preferred.

International students may also need to meet our English language requirements. Find out more about our entry requirements for international students.

Project-specific requirements must align with the University’s standard requirements  

How to apply

Please contact Dr Jay Daniel (j.daniel@derby.ac.uk) in the first instance for more information on how to apply.

The University has four starting points each year for MPhil/PhD programmes (September, January, March and June). Applications should be made at least three months before you would want to start your programme. Please note that, if you require a visa, additional time will be required. 

Funding

Self-funded by student. There is a range of options that may be available to you to help you fund your PhD.

Supervisor

Jay Daniel
Dr Jay Daniel
Associate Professor of Digital Supply Chain and Technology Innovation Research Cluster Lead

Dr Jay Daniel is a Programme Leader at Derby Business School. Before joining the University of Derby, Jay was a Lecturer in Supply Chain and Information Systems at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and has previously held positions of Senior Management Consultant, Supply Chain Solution Analyst, Project Manager, Industry Trainer and Lead Auditor.

References

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Applying for an MPhil/PhD

We are looking for ambitious and talented students to join our dedicated research community where we will support you on your own research journey through to graduation. These pages give you all the i...

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How to write a research proposal

If you decide to design your own PhD project, you will need to write a research proposal that will form part of your application. Before applying, you should review the critical literature in your sub...

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Fees and funding

Find out what the tuition fees are for PhDs and MPhils at Derby, as well as what sources of funding there are to help pay for them.