• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.105-124
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• 2024

Purpose This study aims to propose a blockchain-based platform that can guarantee enhanced trustworthiness in corporate ESG efforts, demanded by global ESG initiatives such as GRI and TCFD. Blockchain technology, recognized for its transparency and data immutability, can contribute to building trust in ESG disclosures, meeting the data transparency verification needs required by these initiatives. This research also explores the use of NFTs representing unique ESG efforts by companies, helping them in organizing and sharing ESG information with investors and consumers. Design/methodology/approach This study utilizes Hyperledger Fabric, a permissioned blockchain known for its enhanced transparency, scalability, and suitability for business transactions, to develop a blockchain platform for managing and disclosing ESG information assets in a trustworthy manner. Furthermore, it introduces the concept of ESG NFTs as a more reliable method for conveying ESG information to stakeholders, where ESG NFTs undergo verification process by third-party authenticators and evaluation by independent evaluators for credibility of ESG disclosure. Findings The use of NFTs, which has been predominantly intended for market trading in public blockchain, offers a credible means of disseminating corporate ESG status and evaluations in a permissioned blockchain, better fit for business transactions. By representing information assets as NFTs, which are tamper-proof and establish clear ownership, the proposed platform enables effective management of ESG-related information assets.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.163-180
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which smart contracts can be applied to the software export business and to find out the legislative issues to activate smart contracts. A smart contract is a computer program that automatically executes a contract when conditions are fulfilled. Smart contracts can play a pivotal role in the field that requires immediate execution of contract or in a highly standardized field with multiple parties involved. In the software export business, it is desirable to apply the smart contract partially rather than applying the smart contract to the entire process because various parties are involved and the process is very complicated. The business model of exporting packaged software, a completed software that is mainly licensed for use, rather than the business model of exporting customized software is suitable for using smart contracts because the project for implementing customized software is mainly focused in the development stage. When smart contracts are used in processes such as contract signing, payment, and project management, work efficiency can be increased. In addition, smart contracts can be used when conditions can be quantified, such as error penalties, in areas that previously required contracts with third parties such as banks, guarantors. In order for smart contracts to be actively used in practice, legal reviews on various issues are necessary including the legality of a smart contract and the validity as an electronic document of NFT (non-fungible token) certificate. Also, for the system stability preventing hacking, etc, the periodic verification or inspection by a third party is essential. To activate smart contracts in international transactions the international treaty regarding smart contracts is also necessary.