Blockchain is widely considered a new key technology. The Foundation for Technology Assessment (TA-SWISS) has proposed a comprehensive assessment of blockchain technologies. With this publication, TA-SWISS provides the much-needed social contextualisation of blockchain. The first, more technical part of the study takes an in-depth look at how blockchain functions and examines the economic potential of this technology. By analysing multiple real-world applications, the study sheds light on where the blockchain has advantages over traditional applications and where existing technologies continue to be the better solution. The second part of the study examines how blockchain became mainstream. It explores the origins of blockchain in the early history of information technology and computer networks. The study also reveals the impact blockchain has on industrial and public spaces. Finally, it discusses the social implications and challenges of blockchain against the background of a new socio-technical environment.

Humanity will have to cope with many problems in the coming decades: for instance, the world population is likely grow to to 8,8 billion people by 2035. Also, changing climate conditions are negatively affecting the livelihoods of millions of people. In particular, environmental disasters are causing substantial damages to properties. From a social perspective, the inequalities between rich and poor nations are becoming even deeper, and in many countries, conflicts between national and international interest groups are intensifying.The above state of affairs suggest that a broader understanding of the trends which may lead to a more sustainable world is needed, especially those which may pave the way for future developments. In other words, we need to pave the way for sustainable futures.Consistent with this reality, the proposed Encyclopedia of Sustainability Futures aims to identify, document and disseminate ideas, experiences and visions from scientists, member of nongovernmental organisations, decision-makers industry representatives and citizens, on themes and issues which will be important in pursuing sustainable future scenarios. In particular, the publication will focus on scientific aspects, as well as on social and economic ones, also considering matters related to financing and infra-structures, which are important in pursuing a sustainable future.The Encyclopedia of Sustainability Futures will involve the contributing authors in line with theprinciple of co-generation, from across a wide range of disciplines, e.g. education and social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, the arts, languages etc, with papers adopting a long-term sustainability perspective, with a time horizon until 2050. The focus will be on themes which are felt as important in the future, and the chapters are expected to interest and motivate a world audience.This book is part of the "100 papers to accelerate the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals initiative"!

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in blockchain creates one of the world’s most reliable technology-enabled decision-making systems that is virtually tamper-proof and provides solid insights and decisions. The integration of AI and Blockchain affects many aspects from food supply chain logistics and healthcare record sharing to media royalties and financial security. It is imperative that regulatory standards are emphasized in order to support positive outcomes from the integration of AI in blockchain technology. Regulatory Aspects of Artificial Intelligence on Blockchain provides relevant legal and security frameworks and the latest empirical research findings in blockchain and AI. Through the latest research and standards, the book identifies and offers solutions for overcoming legal consequences that pertain to the application of AI into the blockchain system, especially concerning the usage of smart contracts. The chapters, while investigating the legal and security issues associated with these applications, also include topics such as smart contacts, network vulnerability, cryptocurrency, machine learning, and more. This book is essential for technologists, security analysts, legal specialists, privacy and data security practitioners, IT consultants, standardization professionals, researchers, academicians, and students interested in blockchain and AI from a legal and security viewpoint.

Recent years have seen a surge of interest in ‘the commons’ based on a simple yet radical idea: great improvements in production and management could be achieved by reducing barriers to knowledge exchange and power-sharing. Ranging from meadows, forests and parks to language, open-source software (FLOSS and Blockchain) and 3D printers, the commons are distributed or common property resources/infrastructures that are self-managed by their user communities. While acknowledging the significant contributions that can be made through commons-based peer production, this book provides a critical examination of the commons with the aim of contributing to their long-term sustainability. In particular, the book examines the relation of Blockchain to the commons by illustrating the case study of the Commons Stack. Drawing on a range of interdisciplinary ideas and methodologies, the book argues that there are a number of economic and social barriers that are obstructing the wider reproduction of the commons. Problems with access to capital and training, the lack of entrepreneurial and managerial skills and the absence of institutional support from governments, larger co-ops and NGOs are some of the external difficulties facing the commons today. Meanwhile, localism, gated communities, vested interests, atavism, traditionalism, ideology, conflict, neo-conservatism and techno-elitism represent some of the internal contradictions inherent in the commons. Through overcoming these contradictions, the ultimate goal is to transform capitalism into the postcapitalism of the commons: the creation of a social economy self-organised around the commons. This book provides vital reading for anyone interested in the commons, from economics, techno-politics and across the social sciences.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 12h International Symposium on Business Modeling and Software Design, BMSD 2022, which took place in Fribourg, Switzerland, in June 2022. The 12 full and 9 short papers included in this book were carefully reviewed and selected from a total of 56 submissions. BMSD is a leading international forum that brings together researchers and practitioners interested in business modeling and its relation to software design. Particular areas of interest are: Business Processes and Enterprise Engineering; Business Models and Requirements; Business Models and Services; Business Models and Software; Information Systems Architectures and Paradigms; Data Aspects in Business Modeling and Software Development; Blockchain-Based Business Models and Information Systems; IoT and Implications for Enterprise Information Systems. Each year, a special theme is chosen, for making presentations and discussions more focused. The BMSD 2022 theme is: Information Systems Engineering and Trust.

This two-volume set of IFIP AICT 617 and 618 constitutes the refereed proceedings of the IFIP WG 8.6 International Working Conference "Re-imagining Diffusion and Adoption of Information Technology and Systems: A Continuing Conversation" on Transfer and Diffusion of IT, TDIT 2020, held in Tiruchirappalli, India, in December 2020. The 86 revised full papers and 36 short papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 224 submissions. The papers focus on the re-imagination of diffusion and adoption of emerging technologies. They are organized in the following parts: Part I: artificial intelligence and autonomous systems; big data and analytics; blockchain; diffusion and adoption technology; emerging technologies in e-Governance; emerging technologies in consumer decision making and choice; fin-tech applications; healthcare information technology; and Internet of Things Part II: information technology and disaster management; adoption of mobile and platform-based applications; smart cities and digital government; social media; and diffusion of information technology and systems

The world is currently witnessing a change in the business paradigm in which economic, social, and environmental variables are taken into account. In this sense, sustainable companies focus on the development of a profitability formula that, through the connection with stakeholders and the natural environment, operates in harmony with social and economic progress. In this sense, the concept of corporate sustainability refers to the attempt by companies to balance social, economic, and environmental objectives. It requires a strong orientation towards the future as well as an awareness of the need to preserve the existence and well-being of the human species. In this way, companies seek to ensure long-term business success while contributing to the economic, social, and environmental development of the territories in which they operate. Corporate Sustainability as a Tool for Improving Economic, Social, and Environmental Performance provides a guide for study, reflection, and critique to understand corporate sustainability while offering the basis for comprehending this phenomenon in different sectors of the economy. The book also sheds light on the new currents and challenges of the discipline. Covering key topics such as big data, ethical business, and strategic management, this premier reference source is ideal for business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, government officials, policymakers, researchers, academicians, practitioners, scholars, instructors, and students.

At a time of growing environmental concerns and an urgent need for sustainable solutions, the intersection of blockchain technology and environmental sustainability is emerging as a powerful force for positive change. The environmental challenges of our time, including climate change, resource scarcity and the destruction of ecosystems, require innovative solutions that transcend geographical and political boundaries. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized and transparent nature, can not only track and verify environmental efforts, but also incentivize them.

Accomplishing sustainability in the agribusiness sector is a significant, yet time-sensitive, challenge, especially when balanced with the need to grow sufficient quantity and quality of food to keep the growing global population healthy. Through both quantitative and qualitative methods, this book explores the extent to which the agribusiness sector is already evolving to become sustainable and the ways in which innovation in the industry can help address sustainable development goals, particularly around zero hunger, gender equality, decent work, responsible consumption and production, and climate action. The contributors to this volume address the following key questions: What are the drivers and barriers for the agribusiness sector to become sustainable? Which business models best facilitate the implementation of sustainable goals? How can we measure the extent to which the agribusiness sector is becoming more sustainable? How can the agribusiness sector leverage recent technological advancements to achieve its sustainability goals? The analysis of the sustainability challenges for the sector ranges across various facets of the industry including employment, pre-production industries, agriculture, food processing, distribution, and trade. This book will be of significant interest to readers in agribusiness, innovation management, and sustainability.