Engineering and Technology
| Open Access | Integrating Blockchain, AI, and Sustainability in Healthcare and Agricultural Supply Chains: A Multidimensional Framework for Resilience, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Performance
Dr. Aurelian Mendes , Global Institute for Sustainable Logistics, University of Lisbon, PortugalAbstract
Background: Modern supply chains—especially in healthcare and agriculture—face mounting pressures from sustainability imperatives, technological disruption, public-health requirements, and complex social responsibilities (Duque-Uribe et al., 2019; Haji et al., 2022). Emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) offer transformative potential, yet their adoption raises novel operational, ethical, and governance questions (Dutta et al., 2020; Elufioye et al., 2024).
Aim: This article develops a publication-ready, theory-informed, and practice-oriented integrative framework that synthesizes sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) principles with blockchain-enabled transparency and AI-driven predictive analytics to improve environmental, social, and operational performance in healthcare and agricultural supply chains (Mani et al., 2016; Elabed et al., 2019).
Methods: Using a rigorous, narrative-synthesis approach anchored in the provided literature, the study constructs conceptual linkages across sustainability dimensions, technology affordances, stakeholder partnerships, and measurement approaches. The method entails deep theory elaboration, cross-referencing of empirical and conceptual studies, and development of testable propositions and managerial pathways (Hsu et al., 2013; Govindan et al., 2015).
Results: The resulting framework identifies four integrative pillars—Governance & Partnerships; Technological Transparency (Blockchain); Predictive & Prescriptive Analytics (AI); and Social-Environmental Performance Management—each mapped to specific mechanisms, barriers, and evaluation metrics. The framework explicates how blockchain can reduce waste and increase traceability (Chowdhury, 2025; Dutta et al., 2020), how AI can optimize demand forecasting and reduce resource inefficiencies (Elufioye et al., 2024), and how combined solutions support resilience against disruption while advancing social sustainability and patient safety (Grumiller et al., 2022; Kanokphanvanich et al., 2023).
Keywords
Sustainable supply chains, blockchain, artificial intelligence, healthcare logistics, agricultural supply chains, social sustainability, resilience
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Aurelian Mendes
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