DEPLOYMENT OF BLOCK CHAIN TECHNOLOGY ON SUPPLY CHAINS: OPPORTUNITIES DURING EMERGENCIES. INSIGHTS FROM RELATED LITERATURE

Abstract

Corona Pandemic, Covid-19 as was declared by the World Health Organization was a worldwide disaster. It closed off countries and destabilized businesses. Corona pandemic had unprecedented effects on global trade with many countries on lock down. With the 2nd wave hitting quite a number of countries, the worst was expected. Interestingly Africa was not as adversely affected in terms of infections as earlier predicted. However the cross border business was affected. The aim of this paper was to find out the ripple effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global supply chain with a focus on Kenya and the business opportunities that the pandemic offered to Africans. Being a very new area, this research was an analysis of trends and opportunities in order to create knowledge. This was done through review of available information. Aspects like e-commerce and block chain analysis were the focus of this paper. Supply chains were facing unprecedented challenges from Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the 4th industrial revolution also coming in, then businesses having to think outside the box to come up with solutions that would stand the test of time. Technology was seen as inevitable in such circumstances.