Garaye, Jaspreet Singh (2024) Blockchain and Sustainability in Digital Goods: A Case Study Approach Using the 7R Framework. Masters thesis, Concordia University.
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Abstract
This thesis investigates the integration of blockchain technology within the digital goods sector, with a focus on enhancing sustainability through the 7R framework—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Recover, Regenerate, and Rethink. By embedding these principles into the digital goods supply chain, this research addresses the pressing challenges of resource efficiency, waste reduction, and lifecycle management in the evolving digital economy.
The study begins with an extensive literature review, examining existing work on blockchain, circular economy, and digital goods supply chains, highlighting key gaps and opportunities. Based on these insights, the thesis proposes an extension of the traditional 5R framework, evolving it into the 7R model to better suit the digital goods landscape. This framework is then applied to two detailed case studies: Microsoft’s Azure Blockchain Services and Nike’s CryptoKicks project. These cases demonstrate how blockchain can enhance transparency, traceability, and operational efficiency while aligning with circular economy principles.
The research presents a comprehensive analysis of how blockchain technology supports each aspect of the 7R framework, enabling digital goods to be tracked, reused, recycled, and regenerated efficiently. The case studies illustrate the potential for blockchain to overcome key challenges such as digital piracy, counterfeiting, and inefficient resource management. Through blockchain's ability to secure ownership transfer and monitor digital goods' lifecycles, the thesis highlights blockchain’s role in reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of digital products.
The findings contribute to academic and practical fields, offering a new theoretical framework for the sustainable management of digital goods. This research also provides actionable insights for businesses and policymakers, showing how blockchain and the 7R framework can foster innovation in digital goods consumption and production, driving the sector towards more sustainable practices. The results underscore the transformative potential of blockchain in reshaping the digital goods supply chain to support environmental and economic sustainability.
| Divisions: | Concordia University > John Molson School of Business > Supply Chain and Business Technology Management |
|---|---|
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
| Authors: | Garaye, Jaspreet Singh |
| Institution: | Concordia University |
| Degree Name: | M.S.C.M. |
| Program: | Business Administration (Supply Chain and Business Technology Management specialization) |
| Date: | 18 September 2024 |
| Thesis Supervisor(s): | Huang, Xiao and Satir, Ahmet |
| Keywords: | Circular Economy, Blockchain, Digital Goods, Case Study Analysis, Supply Chain for Digital Goods, Sustainability, 5R framework (extended). |
| ID Code: | 994684 |
| Deposited By: | Jaspreet Garaye |
| Deposited On: | 17 Jun 2025 17:47 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Jun 2025 17:47 |
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