Next-Generation Inventory Management: Blockchain Solutions for Industry 4.0 Supply Chains

The evolution of Industry 4.0 has reshaped global supply chains through the intesssgration of advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data analytics, with inventory management remaining a central determinant of efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness. Conventional inventory systems often face challenges including limited visibility, fragmented data, and susceptibility to human error, resulting in inefficiencies and higher operational risks. Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative enabler to address these challenges by providing decentralized, transparent, and tamper-resistant data management. This study examines the role of blockchain in revolutionizing inventory management within Industry 4.0 supply chains, with particular focus on its contextual significance in enhancing traceability, enabling real-time monitoring, and fostering stakeholder trust. The research further explores how blockchain can be integrated with IoT-enabled sensors and AI-driven analytics to improve data accuracy, predictive capabilities, and operational agility. Smart contracts are highlighted as a powerful mechanism to automate procurement, replenishment, and compliance processes, thereby minimizing manual intervention, reducing delays, and enhancing coordination across supply chain actors. Beyond operational efficiency, blockchain is also recognized for its potential contribution to sustainable supply chain practices by enabling full product lifecycle visibility, reducing waste, and ensuring regulatory compliance in global operations. Drawing on contemporary literature and industry case applications, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of blockchain-enabled inventory management and its alignment with Industry 4.0 principles, while acknowledging technical, financial, and organizational barriers to adoption. The findings suggest that blockchain-driven solutions present unprecedented opportunities for creating agile, resilient, and sustainable supply chains, thereby positioning blockchain as a next-generation inventory management framework that redefines traditional reactive models into intelligent, data-driven, and trust-based operations tailored for the complexities of Industry 4.0.

Blockchain Technology, Inventory Management

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