This book explores the main challenges and trends related to the use of blockchain technology for digital business innovation with the aim of providing practitioners with stimulating insights and ideas. Readers will find a unified survey of current scientific work on blockchain and related phenomena, such as bitcoin, from a range of perspectives, including information systems, technology management, innovation research, computer science, and engineering. In this way, the book links research and industry practices suitable for use by practitioners in their day-to-day activities and also provides an update on what academia may offer in terms of industry proposals. The contents are divided into three parts. After discussion of blockchain technology and management, including impacts on value chains and systems, governance, and security issues, the bitcoin phenomenon and main technological trends in the use of blockchain are addressed. The final part presents examples of business innovation using blockchain that are drawn from across the globe. Throughout, the author adopts a methodologically rigorous approach while ensuring that the text is readily understandable for readers, regardless of their degree of acquaintance with blockchain.

Table of Contents

Part I Blockchain Technology and Management

1 The Blockchain Paradigm Change Structure

2 Blockchain Value System 

3 Blockchain Governance 

4 The Security of Blockchain Systems

Part II Bitcoin Phenomenon and Trends

5 Digital Currencies 

6 Smart Contracts and Licensing 

7 Blockchain and Enterprise Systems Blockchain Business Innovation 

8 Blockchain Practices 

9 Conclusion: The B3 Perspective 

About the Author

Vincenzo Morabito, PhD, is Associate Professor at the Management & Technology Department, Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi (Bocconi University), Milan, Italy. He gained his doctorate from the Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi and was a Research Scholar at both the Center for Information System Research, MIT Sloan School of Management (2006) and the Decision and Information Science Department, University of Florida (2005/2006). Vincenzo Morabito is in charge of the course on Business Organization, Management of Information Systems, and Information Management for the various degree programs of Bocconi University. He has participated in a variety of research projects, many financed by the Italian Ministry of University and Scientific Research (Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica).