Global supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to fraud, counterfeiting, and inefficient data management, leading to significant financial losses and operational disruptions. This paper presents a conceptual framework that leverages blockchain technology, radio‐frequency identification (RFID), and decentralized storage (IPFS) to enhance traceability, transparency, and security across supply chain operations. By integrating blockchain’s immutable ledger with real‐time RFID scanning, the framework ensures that every transaction and movement of goods is securely recorded and easily auditable. A real‐world case study involving the shipment of automotive parts from Germany to the United States demonstrates how smart contracts can automate ownership transfers and shipment updates, thereby reducing human error and minimizing paperwork bottlenecks. While the case focuses on automotive parts, the framework is designed for product categories where chain‐of‐custody and document integrity drive risk and cost. For pharmaceuticals and other regulated drugs, RFID‐triggered custody transfers can secure last‐mile handoffs from distributor to pharmacy or clinic, producing an immutable proof‐of‐delivery and reducing diversion and substitution risk. The same pattern also applies to medical devices, electronics, and luxury goods, where serial‐level identifiers and certification documents can be verified through hashes while keeping sensitive files off‐chain. Comparative analysis between traditional supply chain methods and the proposed Blockchain/RFID system highlights significant improvements in lead time reduction, data accuracy, dispute resolution, and fraud detection. Key performance indicators (KPIs) indicate that the new approach can substantially decrease operational inefficiencies and vulnerabilities to fraudulent activities. While the framework remains primarily conceptual, it lays a robust foundation for future empirical research, pilot implementations, and scalability across various industries. To facilitate future empirical validation, the paper also outlines a pilot implementation blueprint and a quantitative evaluation protocol. The study also addresses challenges related to infrastructure integration, data standards, and stakeholder adoption, offering recommendations for overcoming these barriers.
Nadime et al. (Thu,) studied this question.