Research on FedEx's Blockchain Technology in Supply Chain Management

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This project delves into the application of blockchain technology within FedEx's supply chain management (SCM). It begins by outlining the background of blockchain technology and its potential to address challenges in logistics, such as lack of trust and inefficiencies. The research aims to categorize current blockchain applications in SCM based on their functionality, analyzing the benefits stakeholders expect to gain. It examines customer demands and assesses the impact of blockchain on FedEx's SCM, offering recommendations for implementation. The study explores the challenges within FedEx's supply chain, including transparency, security, and visibility, and proposes blockchain-based solutions. The research methodology includes quantitative data analysis through surveys and statistical analysis. The findings highlight how blockchain can enhance traceability, improve transparency, and serve as an IT innovation strategy. The conclusion links the research objectives with the findings, offering recommendations for future research and emphasizing the transformative potential of blockchain in optimizing FedEx's supply chain operations.
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Running head: FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
Research on FedEx's blockchain technology application in Supply Chain Management (SCM)
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
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1FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
Acknowledgement
Conducting this research has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. The
contribution of this research to enhance my knowledge base and analytical skill has been
paramount. It gave me the opportunity to face challenges in the process and overcome them. This
would not have been possible without the valuable guidance of my professors, peers and all the
people who have contributed to this enriching experience. I would like to take this opportunity to
thank my supervisor ----------------------- for the constant guidance and support provided to me
during the process of this research. It would not be justified if I did not thank my academic
guides for their important and valuable assistance and encouragement throughout the research
process. I would also like to thank my friends who had provided me with help and
encouragement for collecting primary data and valuable resources. Finally, I would like to thank
people those use express services of FedEx who have participated in the research survey and
provided with valuable inputs into the subject. The support of all these people has been inspiring
and enlightening throughout the process of research in the subject.
Yours Sincerely,
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2FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
Abstract
Since initial stages of the development, the blockchain technology spreads into various industries
other than financial industry. In FedEx, the supply chain is considered as a ground for
implementation of blockchain technology due to lack of trust which characterize the logistics
industry. The research study is aimed to categorize the current market blockchain applications
into SCM based on its functionality. There is various usage of the blockchain technology which
is analyzed under six different points of view to evaluate expected benefits that the stakeholders
expect to gain from technological implementation. The research study is started from interest of
customer demands for evaluation of impact of blockchain to the SCM. The research is aimed to
evaluate impacts of the blockchain and also aimed to provide of recommendations on how to
adapt the blockchain implementation in FedEx. By analyzing the financial as well as information
flows, the organization identifies the process delays in the supply chain of FedEx. In the
conclusion, the business case of FedEx is evaluated based on impact of the logistics. The
research objective is linked with the research findings to evaluate the impact of blockchain
technology in SCM, identify the supply chain issues and possible solutions using blockchain.
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3FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................8
1.1 Background of the study........................................................................................................8
1.2 Research aim and objectives..................................................................................................9
1.3 Research questions...............................................................................................................10
1.4 Problem statement...............................................................................................................10
1.5 Rationale of the study..........................................................................................................11
1.6 Structure of the study...........................................................................................................12
Chapter 2: Literature Review.........................................................................................................15
2.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................15
2.2 Theoretical framework of research study............................................................................15
2.3 Digital supply chain and supply chain execution systems...................................................17
2.4 Blockchain technology........................................................................................................18
2.4.1 Definition of Blockchain..............................................................................................18
2.4.2 How Blockchain work..................................................................................................19
2.4.3 Facts about blockchain technology...............................................................................19
2.5 Overview of current challenges of SCM.............................................................................20
2.6 Characteristics and applications of blockchain technology.................................................22
2.7 Apply of blockchain technology applications in SCM........................................................25
2.8 FedEx’s block chain technology applications.....................................................................28
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4FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
2.8.1 Current situation of FedEx in supply chain management.............................................28
2.8.2 FedEx and Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA)..................................................31
2.8.3 Proposals for FedEx in blockchain technology application for supply
chain management.................................................................................................................34
2.8.4 Application scenario of blockchain technology...........................................................36
2.9 Chapter Summary................................................................................................................38
Chapter 3: Research Methodology................................................................................................39
3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................39
3.2 Method outline.....................................................................................................................40
3.3 Research philosophy............................................................................................................40
3.4 Research approach...............................................................................................................42
3.5 Research design...................................................................................................................43
3.6 Data collection process........................................................................................................44
3.6.1 Primary Data Sources...................................................................................................44
3.6.2 Quantitative Data Analysis Method..............................................................................45
3.7 Sampling method.................................................................................................................45
3.8 Sample size..........................................................................................................................46
3.9 Ethical considerations..........................................................................................................46
3.10 Limitations of the study.....................................................................................................46
3.11 Time horizon......................................................................................................................48
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5FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
3.12 Chapter summary...............................................................................................................49
Chapter 4: Results and Data Analysis...........................................................................................50
4.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................50
4.2 Quantitative data analysis....................................................................................................50
Chapter 5: Discussion....................................................................................................................74
5.1 Introduction..........................................................................................................................74
5.2 Features of blockchain technology into application to supply chain...................................74
5.2 Supply chain challenges in business functions of FedEx....................................................75
5.3 Blockchain technology helps to solve the supply chain issues............................................76
5.3.1 Blockchain as traceability solution...............................................................................76
5.3.2 Blockchain for improved transparency.........................................................................77
5.3.3 Blockchain as IT innovation strategy...........................................................................79
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendations..............................................................................80
6.1 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................80
6.2 Linking with objectives.......................................................................................................81
6.3 Recommendations................................................................................................................83
6.4 Areas of future research.......................................................................................................84
References......................................................................................................................................86
Appendix........................................................................................................................................97
Online Questionnaire.................................................................................................................97
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6FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
Table of tables
Table 4.1: Gender..........................................................................................................................51
Table 4.2: Age...............................................................................................................................52
Table 4.3: Use of FedEx’s express service....................................................................................53
Table 4.4: Known about blockchain technology...........................................................................54
Table 4.5: Application of blockchain technology in SCM will be possible..................................55
Table 4.6: Blockchain technology disrupts line of business..........................................................57
Table 4.7: Benefits of blockchain technology in SCM..................................................................58
Table 4.8: Use causes viable for applying blockchain..................................................................60
Table 4.9: Biggest challenges to use blockchain technology in SCM...........................................62
Table 4.10: Use of blockchain technology in SCM monitor real time data..................................63
Table 4.11: Ways to prevent the supply chain challenges.............................................................65
Table 4.12: Use of digital ledger, the transactions are done accurately........................................66
Table 4.13: Inventory logistics of FedEx matches with customer’s order and transportation
services..........................................................................................................................................68
Table 4.14: FedEx Company Statistics..........................................................................................69
Table 4.15: US postal services statistics........................................................................................72
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7FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
Table of figures
Figure 2.1: Theoretical framework of research study....................................................................16
Figure 2.3: Supply Chain Management.........................................................................................29
Figure 3.1: Research Philosophies.................................................................................................41
Figure 3.2: Research Approaches..................................................................................................42
Figure 3.3: Research Designs........................................................................................................43
Figure 4.1: Gender.........................................................................................................................51
Figure 4.2: Age..............................................................................................................................52
Figure 4.3: Use of FedEx’s express service...................................................................................53
Figure 4.4: Known about blockchain technology..........................................................................55
Figure 4.5: Application of blockchain technology in SCM will be possible.................................56
Figure 4.6: Blockchain technology disrupts line of business........................................................57
Figure 4.7: Benefits of blockchain technology in SCM................................................................59
Figure 4.8: Use causes viable for applying blockchain.................................................................61
Figure 4.9: Biggest challenges to use blockchain technology in SCM.........................................62
Figure 4.10: Use of blockchain technology in SCM monitor real time data.................................64
Figure 4.11: Ways to prevent the supply chain challenges...........................................................65
Figure 4.12: Use of digital ledger, the transactions are done accurately.......................................67
Figure 4.13: Inventory logistics of FedEx matches with customer’s order and transportation
services..........................................................................................................................................68
Figure 4.14: Revenue percentage of FedEx Corporation..............................................................71
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8FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
Chapter 1: Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
The blockchain technology finds much application into real world supply chain
management (SCM). The thesis paper analyzes the blockchain technology applications into
SCM. Morabito (2017) stated that blockchain is such a technology for the decentralized storage
of the transactional data. Supply chain becomes complicated, and it takes many days to make
payment among manufacturer as well as supplier, customer and vendor. It is hard for the
suppliers to trace the products which make it critical to eliminate the defects. Blockchain is one
of the solutions of those supply chain issues (Viswanadham 2017). The application of the
blockchain technology to the SCM reduces errors, delays as well as frauds and also improves the
inventory management. It helps the sellers, customers and intermediaries to resolve the issues
faster. The sellers are better track of the cost, estimate the delivery time for the routes as well as
make of decisions. The transport providers are able to post the details about capacity as well as
routes and also reduce both transport time as well as price (Omran et al. 2017). The customers
should know where the products are coming from and benefiting from reduction of cost as well
as shipping time.
The professionals from supply chain use of block chain technology for gathering as well
as tracking of data. Underwood (2016) argued that applying of blockchain technology
applications for transactions reduce friction into the commercial financing. The researcher is
interested in the blockchain technology that permitted Bitcoin as the best crypto currency within
the marketplace. The technology is a database to provide transactions into digital currency like
Bitcoin (Pilkington 2016). All the transactions are created among the users those are checked by
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9FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
the cryptographic algorithms along with grouped into the blocks which are added to the
blockchain. No one can able to change information into the blocks as they are chained to all
other. Kharlamov and Parry (2017) concluded that blockchain technology can process various
transactions securely without the third parties.
This paper summarizes the use of blockchain technology applications into FedEx supply
chain management. FedEx is an American courier delivery service company. This company is
belonged to air courier industry (FedEx 2016). One of the application of blockchain technology
is that its application for logistics as well as supply chain. The supply chain is subsidiary of the
FedEx Corporation which delivers of logistics solutions to the customers. The outsourced
services are included of global inventory stock, distribution of the customers, higher inventory
value in addition to transportation management. There is increase in revenue of the supply chain
of FedEx as they offer their customers with flexibility and shift into demand. By providing
access to the supply chain technology, the company can achieve profitability. The current
situation of FedEx supply chain is challenging, therefore the company should adopt such a
technology which resolves their supply chain issues (Hofmann, Strewe and Bosia 2018). The
supply chain challenges are concerning on transparency, security in addition to visibility of their
operations into supply chain. In this paper, the researcher finds out the benefits of using
blockchain technology to solve the supply chain issues.
1.2 Research aim and objectives
The aim of this research study is to identify the benefits of blockchain on the supply
chain activities and evaluate the impact of this technology on the business activities of FedEx.
This study also determines the blockchain business cases of implementation within the logistics
and supply chain for identifying the technological impacts. It evaluates the business model of
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10FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
FedEx which are affected by the blockchain technology implementation to derive
recommendations of the company. It discusses the supply chain challenges into the business
functions of FedEx and use of blockchain technology for solving the identified problems. This
research aims to fulfill theoretical as well as practical research gaps into blockchain potential on
the supply chain.
Based on the research aim, the research objectives are framed so that further research is
carried out into consideration. The objectives of this thesis paper for determining benefits of the
blockchain technology into supply chain are as follows:
To examine the application of blockchain technology in supply chain management
To find out the supply chain issues in FedEx
To employ of blockchain technology for solving the supply chain issues
1.3 Research questions
The research questions are useful to understand the topic in detailed manner. The area of
analysis is based on the selected questions. The research objectives are being translated into
following research questions for this particular study:
1. What are the key features of blockchain technology into application to supply chain?
2. What are the supply chain challenges in business functions of FedEx?
3. How does blockchain technology help to solve the supply chain issues?
1.4 Problem statement
Despite there is larger competitive advantage. FedEx is lacking the integrated approach to
manage their supply chain activities such as coordination of physical, financial along with flow
of information. Into cross chain collaborations, sharing of information among the members of
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11FedEx’s BLOCKCHAIN APPLICATION IN SCM
supply chain are awkward process that FedEx is not simplified it. Various transactions are done
among the members located into geographic location which leads to creation of outmoded as
well as inexact data (Francisco and Swanson 2018). Due to not connected system, there may be
delay into cargo, trade flow which leads to longer lead time to supply the materials. Because of
those inefficiencies, it symbolized of chance for the new air carrier companies which offer
advanced functionalities. Blockchain is considered as one of the best solution which disrupts the
supply chain by removing of the third parties as well as enhancing the process visibility (English,
Auer and Domingue 2016). It is probable to threaten current business model of FedEx, which the
company is managing their information flow.
This particular research is also addressing the challenges that the researcher is facing
when access to the benefits of blockchain technology. It evaluates technological impact under the
perspective of supply chain by analyzing the benefits of physical and information flow. The
researcher is not able to provide a clear definition of the blockchain as it is based on various
variances in addition to different applications (Iansiti and Lakhani 2017). As blockchain is a new
technology, therefore there is misunderstanding on potential applications along with its impacts
on supply chain. This new technology is one environmental force which affects the business
model of FedEx. After identification of the research problems, the knowledge gaps are deducted.
The research topic is quite interesting in timeliness as blockchain technology is a huge area and
there is very little knowledge on its application into logistics sector.
1.5 Rationale of the study
The reason behind choosing of this topic is to identify the benefits and challenges of
blockchain technology into supply chain activities. The blockchain technology is considered as
decentralized transaction which is developed first for the Bitcoin cryptography. The researcher
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