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Chinese Journal of Management Science ›› 2023, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (12): 163-174.doi: 10.16381/j.cnki.issn1003-207x.2022.2770

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Research on Investment Timing Decision of Blockchain for Shipping Companies under Demand Uncertainty

Jie WU,Jia-guo LIU()   

  1. School of Maritime Economics and Management,Dalian Maritime University,Dalian 116026,China
  • Received:2022-07-10 Revised:2023-03-30 Online:2023-12-15 Published:2024-01-06
  • Contact: Jia-guo LIU E-mail:liujiaguo@gmail.com

Abstract:

Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology, its decentralized, paperless, open, and transparent features can increase the trust among shipping companies and improve the efficiency of shipping business clearance, which is popular among modern shipping companies. At present, some shipping companies have already carried out the practice of blockchain, a typical example is the cooperation between shipping giant Maersk and IBM to improve the service level of the shipping business through blockchain. However, in the actual operation of shipping enterprises, due to the impact of geopolitics, COVID-19, technological change, climate change and other factors, there are many uncertainties in the global freight demand and the application of blockchain technology, especially in the face of fierce competition in the market, when to adopt blockchain has become a big problem troubling the operation of shipping companies. In this background, aiming at the application problem of blockchain in shipping companies, the change of competition form among shipping companies before and after the adoption of blockchain is taken as the entry point, the timing decision model is constructed under different competition scenarios, and uses real options theory to explore the investment timing strategy of blockchain for shipping companies under freightdemand uncertainty. In addition, we use numerical analysis to further explore the impact of different market and technological environments on the investment timing strategy of blockchain for shipping companies, and verify the robustness of the model through extended analysis. It shows that the stronger the incentive for shipping companies to invest blockchain early in a competitive price environment, and conversely, the weaker the incentive for shipping companies to invest blockchain early in a competitive service environment. Further discussion reveals that shipping companies can adopt differentiated blockchain investment timing strategies in the face of different demands, technologies as well as competitive environments. Then, the extended analysis reveals that government subsidies can provide incentives for shipping companies to invest blockchain in advance, while high operating costs can hinderthe blockchain promotion process. Finally, this paper provides forward policies and suggestions for governments and shipping companies to accelerate the application of blockchain technology from the perspectives of market competition, market demand, and technical environment.

Key words: blockchain, shipping companies, uncertain demand, investment timing, real option theory

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