Osundiran, Adeola Oluwatoyin and Makgopa, Tshehla (2026) Port efficiency: The application of blockchain technology in the construction material supply chain. Journal of Construction Business and Management, 8(S1), pp. 48-61. ISSN 2521-0165
Abstract
The Port of Durban has recently experienced operational delays, which have affected its performance. Delays at the Port hinder the timely completion of projects in South Africa's construction sector. Hence, this exploratory research focuses on identifying, through the literature, the suitability and consequences of using blockchain technology to facilitate the supply chain for construction materials. Furthermore, the port productivity of the Port of Durban was compared with that of Rotterdam harbours. The Quantitative Research Approach aligns with this research philosophy and underpinnings. Secondary data are collected from the port website, and the Malmquist Productivity Index is used to determine the enablers of Port Productivity from 2017 to 2023. The heterogeneity of the port cases limits the generalisation of findings. However, policymakers, project managers, investment planners, and operational practitioners will benefit as the possibilities of blockchain technology in enhancing the supply chain of construction materials are discussed. Due to time constraints, the data is limited to the period of 2017-2023. The research findings show that technologies such as Blockchain and artificial intelligence are major drivers of port productivity at the Port of Rotterdam. The application of various customised technologies has improved the Port of Rotterdam's productivity. The construction sector is in dire need of effective, efficient port systems, given the multiple stakeholders and projects. The application of Blockchain technology, especially with smart contracts, provides a degree of flexibility.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | blockchain, construction material, supply chain, efficiency, productivity, port of Durban and Rotterdam |
| Index terms: | smart contract, artificial intelligence, suitability, practitioner, construction material, South Africa, philosophy, harbour, planner, blockchain, exploratory research, efficiency, project manager, secondary data, quantitative research, productivity, construction sector |
| Subjects: | artificial intelligence, research methods, building materials, practitioner, data collection methods, Geography, philosophical studies, data analysis and analytics, computing systems, performance management, design criteria, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, profession, digital technology, management |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Design Practice, Quality Management, Digital Applications, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Business Strategy, Roles and Professions |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here