Blockchain implications within the sustainability domain are rapidly arousing the interest of researchers and institutions. However, despite the avalanche of articles, papers, and recently published books, innovation in the blockchain domain is still heavily influenced by light literature, such as news, articles, opinion posts, and white papers. Lacking a homogeneous literature background, case studies often fall into storytelling, providing mere descriptions of the facts according to the writers’ impressions and opinions. We therefore investigate blockchain adoption for sustainable purposes through a case study while remaining firmly grounded in three main theoretical literature streams: knowledge management, knowledge infrastructure, and trust. Since blockchain interaction with the real world is managed by oracles, addressing the oracle problem is essential in order to evaluate the effectiveness of blockchain for sustainability issues. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other paper has efficiently addressed this subject or even mentioned it. Recognizing its scarce consideration in the literature, the oracle problem will be analyzed in both theoretical and practical terms, thereby providing a way to solve the issues related to non-fungible products in the supply chain. Choice over the selected case study was made in light of the divergence in motives for the adoption of blockchain (economic over social), which makes the results more inferable at a broader scale and offers an insight into how sustainable innovations can also be economically viable.

Overcoming the Blockchain Oracle Problem in the Traceability of Non-Fungible Products

With the rapid digitalisation of the economy, cross-border data flows have become essential for the functioning of different sectors of the economy, including the digital services industry. However, governments often restrict cross-border flows through various laws, regulations, policies and administrative measures (or ‘data-restrictive measures’) to achieve internet-related policy objectives such as regulating online content, protecting online privacy of internet users, and cybersecurity protection. These measures typically interfere with the architecture of the internet and the technical protocols/designs of digital services, resulting in economically and technologically inefficient outcomes. Further, as data-restrictive measures constrain cross-border supply of digital services, they constitute trade barriers, and therefore may violate provisions of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (‘GATS’) of the World Trade Organization (‘WTO’). This thesis investigates how GATS applies to data-restrictive measures and whether its rules can balance trade and internet policy objectives. It first highlights the complementary relationship of the three fundamental principles of internet governance applicable to cross-border data flows, namely internet openness, privacy and security. It then proposes a theoretical framework whereby GATS can be aligned with these three principles to support both an open and predictable framework for digital trade and robust internet policies. The thesis applies this framework to three common types of datarestrictive measures, namely online content regulation measures, privacy-related datarestrictive measures, and cybersecurity-related data-restrictive measures. This thesis finds that GATS can be thoughtfully applied and interpreted to align with principles of internet openness, privacy and security. For example, commitments of Members in their GATS Schedules of Commitments can be interpreted in a technologically neutral manner to facilitate both trade liberalisation and internet openness. Further, GATS obligations on non-discrimination, domestic regulation and market access (subject to Members’ relevant commitments and exemptions) generally facilitate an open market for cross-border data flows, thereby supporting internet openness. Finally, under GATS exceptions, Panels can distinguish protectionist datarestrictive measures disguised as cybersecurity/privacy/content regulation measures from measures genuinely necessary to achieve these objectives. To conduct a holistic assessment of data-restrictive measures under GATS, Panels should use both legal and technical evidence, including relying on internet technical and policy expertise. However, the extent to which GATS aligns with the principles of internet openness, privacy and security is constrained by the lack of multilateral consensus on internet policy issues and the somewhat outdated architecture of GATS. Therefore, in addition to interpreting existing GATS provisions more meaningfully, this thesis proposes a multipronged approach to further strengthen alignment of GATS with internet openness, privacy and security. This approach requires: meaningful use of GATS provisions on transparency and mutual recognition; introducing reforms in WTO law to incorporate relevant disciplines on cross-border data flows; and exploring options outside traditional multilateral mechanisms including developing a non-binding WTO declaration on data flows and facilitating stronger regulatory cooperation on data governance in relevant international/transnational institutions. This thesis concludes that although international trade agreements such as GATS cannot resolve all challenges pertaining to data flows, they can and should play a more proactive role in balancing trade and internet policy objectives.

When data flows across borders: Aligning international trade law with internet policy objectives

This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the literature addressing blockchain technology (BT) in general management and economics (GME).,A systematic literature review methodology is used to collect and analyze the literature.,Three clusters of research are identified, namely, law, economy and innovation. The use of BT in law areas fosters the registration of intellectual property (IP) rights, although conflict between some of BT applications and regulatory frameworks is present. Research on cryptocurrencies is of high interest to the economy today. In the innovation cluster, BT improves security, traceability and transparency in operations over supply chains. However, BT has many technical imperfections that hinder its wide adoption. Furthermore, the need for the full commitment of all business actors complicates its implementation. Research on BT is still at a nascent stage. Conceptual papers dominate the literature (18 theories are discussed). Eight main future research directions are described. For example, the relationship between the use of BT in supply chains and competitive advantage is not established; and quality standards for BT platforms are not developed.,The review is restricted to academic journals in the fields of GME, which limits the extent of the conclusions.,The paper synthesizes 47 studies published in academic journals, avoiding misleading claims and inaccurate information insofar as possible; and provides a spectrum of descriptive statistics and qualitative meta-synthesis analysis of the current literature.

Blockchain in general management and economics: a systematic literature review

To understand opportunities Blockchain offers for development, we propose a novel framework that considers Business-, Society-, Economy & Finance-, Technology-, and Policy-related factors. It illus...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02681102.2021.1935453

Blockchain for development: a guiding framework

This study investigates the connectedness between Bitcoin prices and major stock indices in the Asia-Pacific region from February 2012 to August 2019. Based on the wavelet transform framework, we f...

Time-frequency nexus between bitcoin and developed stock markets in the asia-pacific

https://publications.hse.ru/mirror/pubs/share/direct/215311468

The use of Big Data: A Russian perspective of personal data security

An examination of the experience of cryptocurrency use in Russia. In search of better practice

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the legal problems connected with using the systems of technological interoperability in the society. Design/methodology/approach – In the paper, the compared-legal method was applied. The legislation of Russia and that of European Union (EU) have been compared. Findings – Generalizing about the problems identified in both Russia and the EU, it is possible to conclude that: States have to develop a coordinated, uniform security policy. Public administrations have to implement interoperable services for business and citizens. States have to introduce the required standards. It is necessary to forbid development or creation of any departmental technical specifications by public institutions or departments which are not coordinated with the larger transnational goals. Originality/value – In the paper, the problems that arise in the states (Russia and EU) if they did not take into account the principle of interoperability are revealed. Legal mechanisms direct...

Influence of the principle of interoperability on legal regulation

This paper studies the issue the information security for smartphone users in Russia. The report analyses the regulations the state uses to prevent undeclared functionality and malicious programs in mobile phones in Russia; the law enforcement practice in this area; the responsibility of legal entities, officials and persons for non-compliance with the requirements for standardization, ensuring information security and violation of declaration of conformity. The paper develops proposals to improve state regulation of undeclared functionality of mobile devices providing the collection of information, including confidential data. The report discusses specific ethical issues related to privacy, including matters relating to compensation for damage resulting from the leakage of personal information and develops proposals for legal ensuring the information security of mobile phone users. The report first outlines the main actors, terms and concepts used in the report. Second the standards for mobile phone developers, although there is no guarantee of complete information security. In this case, the peculiarity of Russia is that standards used in the field of information security are voluntary. Third how law enforcement agencies protect the user community. In this case there is a potential danger that this may entail uncontrolled access of government agencies to confidential data.

/pdf/the-protect-mobile-user-data-in-russia-3o9jjlpolx.pdf

The protect mobile user data in Russia

/pdf/introducing-artificial-intelligence-into-law-enforcement-lofo1o02tr.pdf

Anna Zharova

Papers

The use of Big Data: A Russian perspective of personal data security

An examination of the experience of cryptocurrency use in Russia. In search of better practice

Influence of the principle of interoperability on legal regulation

The protect mobile user data in Russia

Introducing Artificial Intelligence into Law Enforcement Practice: The Case of Russia