Integrating Blockchain for Data Sharing and Collaboration Support in Scientific Ecosystem Platform

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Coelho, Raiane; Braga, Regina; David, José Maria; Dantas, Mário; Stroele, Victor; Campos, Fernanda

Abstract: Nowadays, scientific experiments are conducted collaboratively. In collaborative ... Expand

Abstract: Nowadays, scientific experiments are conducted collaboratively. In collaborative scientific experiments, we must consider aspects such as interoperability, privacy, and trust in shared data to allow the reproducibility of the results. A critical aspect associated with a scientific process is its provenance information, which can be defined as the origin or lineage of the data that helps understand the scientific experiment results. Another concern when conducting collaborative experiments is confidentiality, considering that only authorized personnel can share or view results. In this paper, we propose BlockFlow, a blockchain-based architecture, to bring reliability to the collaborative research, considering the capture, storage, and analysis of provenance data related to a scientific ecosystem platform (E-SECO). Collapse

Topics: Hyperledger blockchain application programming interface cloud computing covid 19

Methods: experiment literature study

Combining Graph Exploration and Fragmentation for Scalable RDF Query Processing

2021 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Khelil, Abdallah; Mesmoudi, Amin; Galicia, Jorge; Bellatreche, Ladjel; Hacid, Mohand-Saïd; Coquery, Emmanuel

Abstract: The flexibility offered by the Resource Description Framework (RDF) has led it t ... Expand

Abstract: The flexibility offered by the Resource Description Framework (RDF) has led it to become a very popular standard for representing data with an undefined or variable schema using the concept of triples. Its success has resulted in many large scale multidisciplinary datasets, that have prompted the development of efficient RDF processing systems. Current approaches can be distinguished into two groups: the first, adopting the relational model storing the triples in tables, and the second creating data structures that model RDF data as a graph. The strategies of the first group are more easily scalable since they apply optimization strategies from the relational model like indexing and fragmentation. However, these approaches suffer many overheads when dealing with complex queries (e.g. compounded SPARQL graphs involving filters) persistent in existing applications. On the other hand, graph-based systems that use more complex data structures fail to efficiently manage the main memory and are not scalable in computer hardware with limited resources. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to perform queries (Basic Graph Patterns, Wildcards, Aggregations and Sorting) on RDF data. We propose to combine both RDF graph exploration with physical fragmentation of triples. In this work, we describe our graph-based storage and query evaluation models. Then, we detail the architecture of our system and we largely explain the strategy, based in the Volcano execution model, used to manage the main memory at query runtime. We conducted extensive experiments on synthetic and real datasets to evaluate the efficiency of our proposal. We compared our performance with a relational-based (Virtuoso), a graph-based (gStore) and an intensive-indexing (RDF-3X) approach. According to our evaluation, our system offers the best compromise between efficient query processing and scalability. Collapse

Topics: computer hardware Neo4j graph database structured query language database system

Methods: experiment computational algorithm leading question literature study

Do Not Be Fooled: Toward a Holistic Comparison of Distributed Ledger Technology Designs

2020 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Gräbe, Florian; Kannengießer, Niclas; Lins, Sebastian; Sunyaev, Ali

Abstract: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) enables a new way of inter-organizational co ... Expand

Abstract: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) enables a new way of inter-organizational collaboration via a shared and distributed infrastructure. There are plenty of DLT designs (e.g., Ethereum, IOTA), which differ in their capabilities to meet use case requirements. A structured comparison of DLT designs is required to support the selection of an appropriate DLT design. However, existing criteria and processes are abstract or not suitable for an in-depth comparison of DLT designs. We select and operationalize DLT characteristics relevant for a comprehensive comparison of DLT designs. Furthermore, we propose a comparison process, which enables the structured comparison of a set of DLT designs according to application requirements. The proposed process is validated with a use case analysis of three use cases. We contribute to research and practice by introducing ways to operationalize DLT characteristics and generate a process to compare different DLT designs according to their suitability in a use case. Collapse

Topics: Hyperledger Ethereum internet of things mobile system distributed ledger technology

Methods: literature study computational algorithm case study cluster analysis

AMCIS 2017 Panel Report: Experiences in Online Education

2019 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 1

Authors: Ferran, Carlos; González, Macedonio Alanís; Esteves, Jose; Reynoso, Juan M. Gómez; Guzman, Indira

Abstract: In this AMCIS 2017 online education panel, five experienced business school prof ... Expand

Abstract: In this AMCIS 2017 online education panel, five experienced business school professors from differently sized public and private institutions in three different countries (USA, Mexico, and Spain) discussed how online education (i.e., eLearning, technology-mediated knowledge transfer) occurred in their institutions. They presented low-budget and high-budget examples and described what they have found to be best practices in eLearning at both the institution and the instructor level. They also demonstrated that one can accomplish online education in many different ways and with varying budgets, but, as long as one bases it on solid educational principles and mastery of the technology, it can be as effective as (if not more than) traditional face-to-face education. This report builds on their presentations and additional information gathered from the literature. Collapse

Topics: usability user interface distributed database online learning system information technology capability

Methods: qualitative interview survey quasi experiment

Blind Spots in Business and Information Systems Engineering

2019 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 7

Authors: Hinz, Oliver; van der Aalst, Wil M. P.; Weinhardt, Christof

Abstract: ... Expand

Abstract: Collapse

Topics: business process management distributed storage blockchain distributed database

Methods: machine learning theory development

BLOCKCHAIN – JUST ANOTHER IT IMPLEMENTATION? A COMPARISON OF BLOCKCHAIN AND INTERORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS

2019 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Seebacher, Stefan; Schüritz, Ronny

Abstract: In expectation of an impending technological disruption, organizations get fami ... Expand

Abstract: In expectation of an impending technological disruption, organizations get familiar with blockchain technology and scout for first value delivering implementations. So far, the promises and expectations fall short and large scale blockchain applications and ecosystems, apart from cryptocurrencies, are still missing. One aspect that contributes to this shortcoming is that blockchain projects face a multitude of implementation barriers, which have not yet been systematically identified. Blockchain can serve as a technological fabric, connecting different parties in a business network and facilitating information exchange. Such systems show clear resemblance to interorganizational information systems (IOIS). Therefore, the questions can be raised to what extent blockchain systems face the same implementation barriers as compared to any other IOIS implementation and, thus, if IOIS literature can be a valuable source for overcoming these barriers? To investigate these questions, we conduct a series of interviews with experts that have implemented blockchain prototypes in an interorganizational context and compare the derived barriers with the results of a structured literature review on challenges of IOIS implementations. We identify technical, organizational and network challenges that emerge along the blockchain implementation process and illustrate how the development of blockchain-based systems extends the existing knowledge on IOIS. Collapse

Topics: blockchain systems implementation database system technology adoption diffusion of innovation

Methods: qualitative interview structured literature research qualitative coding qualitative content analysis personal interview

Theories: institutional theory

Discovering Blockchain for Sustainable Product-Service Systems to enhance the Circular Economy

2019 | International Conference on Business Informatics | Citations: 0

Authors: Vogel, Jannis; Hagen, Simon; Thomas, Oliver

Abstract: An increasing amount of use cases is discovered for blockchain technology, since ... Expand

Abstract: An increasing amount of use cases is discovered for blockchain technology, since it promises tamper-proof recording of product-related data. It has the potential to improve the reliability of information management for whole supply chains and thus enables new ecologically and economically service offerings. Integrating products and services into one marketable bundle is no new concept and is referred to as product-service systems (PSS). Therefore, the methodical integration of knowledge on sustainable businesses, PSS and blockchain is a promising approach to overcome current barriers to achieve an applicable circular economy. Our study contributes a structured literature review on ongoing research in the field of sustainability-focused blockchain applications. From this, we elaborate a holistic perspective by the integration of key concepts from two additional literature reviews for blockchain and PSS. As a result, we point out potential benefits and present the effect of blockchain on sustainable PSS with a product-life cycle model. Collapse

Topics: blockchain data encryption public key encryption distributed storage distributed database

Methods: literature study structured literature research

Exploring How Blockchain Impacts Loyalty Program Participation Behaviors: An Exploratory Case Study

2019 | HICSS | Citations: 2

Authors: Wang, Lu; Hua, Ying; Wang, Jing

Abstract: How to keep customers motivated in participative behaviors remains one major cha ... Expand

Abstract: How to keep customers motivated in participative behaviors remains one major challenge in extant loyalty program (LP) studies. While some companies have initiated efforts to utilize blockchain-based distributed ledgers and smart contract capabilities to enhance customer experience and improve LP efficiencies, academic assessment of blockchain application in the LP context remains scarce. This research attempts to establish a theoretical overview of how the key natures of blockchain influence customers’ varying motivations (economy, autonomy, competence and relatedness) and perceived value, which consequently induce participative behaviors in a loyalty points context. Then, using an exploratory case study of Bubichain in China, we verify that the blockchain-enabled loyalty points scheme not only improves customers’ economic perceived value by meeting their economic motives, as the traditional one does, but also enhances their social interaction and psychological self-fulfillment value perception by meeting their intrinsic motivations, thus increasing customers’ experience and participation behaviors. Collapse

Topics: blockchain intrinsic motivation distributed database distributed storage peer-to-peer model

Methods: case study qualitative interview conceptual modelling

Theories: self determination theory

Unveiling the interplay between blockchain and loyalty program participation: A qualitative approach based on Bubichain

2019 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 7

Authors: Wang, Lu; Luo, Xin (Robert); Lee, Frank

Abstract: Keeping motivated customers partaking in point exchange activities is a major ch ... Expand

Abstract: Keeping motivated customers partaking in point exchange activities is a major challenge in extant loyalty program (LP) studies. In the literature, IT or its applications play a paramount role in enabling firms to offer superior services and consequently deepen the relationships with their customers. Although already applied to augment customer experience and increase participation in practice, how blockchain applications interact with the LP context is still largely unknown in IS research. The objective of this research is to explore how blockchain, as an IT artifact on the rise, influences value creation in a LP context. Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT), this paper considers both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations in a LP context guided by SDT regulation: meeting the needs of Economy, Autonomy, Competence and Relatedness, and explores the effects of blockchain application on customers’ motivations, which influence value perception and participative behaviors. By using an exploratory case study of BubiChain in China, we collected data through semi-structured interviews and extracted from the raw data of BubiChain-based loyalty point exchange platform, including real-time, multibrands, peer-to-peer, and secure, traceable and fraud-proof exchange. We found that these features of blockchain applications not only improve customers’ economic perceived value by meeting their extrinsic motivation but also enhance their social interaction and psychological self-fulfillment value perception by satisfying their intrinsic motivations, thus increasing customers’ experience and participative behaviors. We also synthesized the results and theorized the findings into 4 formal testable propositions, which would offer testable hypotheses for future empirical studies. This paper reveals an innovative breakthrough on SDT theory and LP research, and is an early attempt to analyze how the blockchain is applied to LPs. We endeavor to establish a theoretical overview of how the key features of blockchain-driven point exchange platform influence customers’ motivations, which affect value perception and consequently induce participative behaviors in a loyalty point context. Collapse

Topics: blockchain peer-to-peer model intrinsic motivation information management value creation

Methods: qualitative interview case study qualitative coding theory development personal interview

Theories: self determination theory

Governance and control in distributed ledgers: Understanding the challenges facing blockchain technology in financial services

2019 | Information and Organization | Citations: 15

Authors: Zachariadis, Markos; Hileman, Garrick; Scott, Susan V.

Abstract: As blockchain platforms are becoming increasingly noticeable in financial servic ... Expand

Abstract: As blockchain platforms are becoming increasingly noticeable in financial services and beyond, questions arise regarding their suitability to compete with or replace existing payment systems and marketplaces and redesign the financial infrastructures of the future. Prominent among these concerns are issues around governance and control in distributed ledgers: How are distributed ledger technologies governed? Can blockchains address complex administration problems? What key issues of note for practitioners and academics have emerged thus far? In this paper we aim to review the existing governance practices of established or popular blockchain and decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) systems with a view to understanding how they hold up in times of crises. What questions are raised when they are compromised or faced consensus challenges in coordinating action especially around control and accountability? We use a translational process, generating focal insights about present concerns from the reference point of completed academic studies and extensive practitioner consultation. Rather than adopting a declarative approach attempting to provide all the answers, we draw insights from the IT platform governance literature to offer a critical perspective for asking the right questions around key governance issues in financial infrastructure such as decision rights, control mechanisms, and incentives. Collapse

Topics: blockchain digital platform distributed ledger technology information technology infrastructure platform governance

Methods: design artifact