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This chapter explores the significance of blockchain technology in protecting data for intelligent applications across various industries. Blockchain is a distributed ledger that ensures the immutability and security of transactions. Given the increasing need for security measures in industries, understanding blockchain technology is crucial for preparing for its future applications.

This chapter aims to examine the use of blockchain technology across industries and presents a compilation of existing and upcoming blockchain technologies for intelligent applications. The methodology involves reviewing research to understand the security needs of different industries and providing an overview of methods used to enhance multi-institutional and multidisciplinary research in areas like the financial system, smart grid, and transportation system.

The findings highlight the benefits of blockchain networks in providing transparency, trust, and security for industries. The Responsible Sourcing Blockchain Network (RSBN) is an example that utilizes blockchain's decentralized ledger to track sustainable sourcing from mine to final product. This information can be shared with auditors, corporate governance organizations, and customers.

The practical implications of this chapter are significant, serving as a valuable resource for industries concerned with identity privacy, traceability, immutability, transparency, auditability, and security. Understanding and implementing blockchain technology can address the growing need for secure and intelligent applications, ensuring data protection and enhancing trust in various sectors.

Intelligent real-time systems are significantly impacting several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by revolutionising processes in several areas such as Industry 4.0, smart cities, transportation, agriculture, renewable energy, climate change and other economic activities. Given that much of the work to achieve the SDGs relies on information and communication technology, cybersecurity has a potentially immense role to play towards achieving these outcomes. Moreover, cyberattacks have emerged as a new functional threat for interconnected, smart manufacturers and digital supply networks, employed in intelligent real-time systems for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The effects of cyberattacks can be much more widespread than ever before due to the interconnected nature of Industry 4.0-driven operations. Blockchain can be really useful in such situations as it provides edge protection and allows authentication of the machine-to-machine and human–machine operations, stable data share, life cycle management, access control compliance of devices and self-sustaining operations. Moreover, blockchain can be applied for tracking and tracing transactions through devices, which are performed during the operation, as well as to encrypt and transmit data securely. It is vital to establish complete trust in a technology that is being adopted so that its full potential can be exploited. It is consequently critical that the organisational and information technology strategy fully integrates secure, vigilant and resilient cybersecurity strategies such as blockchain. This will ensure that cyber risks are properly managed in the age of Industry 4.0. This chapter, therefore, analyses the application of blockchain in intelligent real-time systems such as Industry 4.0 so that the opportunities these systems present for the SDGs can be exploited safely with minimum risks to society.

This chapter highlights how implementing circular economy principles can help companies working with sustainability to move from a reductionist and waste management approach to marketing competitive circular value propositions that intentionally design out waste (e.g. emissions and pollution) by rethinking, reinventing and redesigning the value chain. Schijvens, a Dutch family-owned corporate fashion textile company, acts as a case for exemplifying successful implementation of circular economy principles as a marketing strategy in a sector that struggles with finding solutions to the ethical challenges of producing and marketing textile fashion. The textile industry has, for many years, been accused of production that is based on environmentally harmful processes and conditions that are not socially fair. Circular economy principles provide a range of suggestions to address the ethical challenges occurring from covering the human needs of having clothes to wear. Yet, implementing circular economy principles is not a panacea. It is not only a question of delivering a technological quick fix but also a question of managing the new processes and human mindset guiding the actions in the value chain. This chapter, therefore, outlines reasons for a different perspective on the traditional linear value chain and related implications managers face when undertaking a journey from sustainability based on a reductionist approach to a closed-loop approach. It is argued that implementing circular economy principles by pro-actively managing the value chain processes based on eco-centric dynamic capabilities can provide even more radical changes than the incremental reductionist approach often associated with being a green sustainable company.

Blockchain technology has led the evolution of double entry accounting system to triple entry accounting system. Triple entry accounting is an innovative, promising and potential accounting method when implemented properly would be a game changer for dissemination of accounting information. It is an efficient way to address fundamental concerns of accounting information. This chapter discusses the triple entry accounting system, how it is different from double entry accounting and what are the concerns in implementing triple entry accounting. Triple entry accounting holds the potential to fundamentally evolve accounting practices, can enhance the effective utilisation and sustainable management of resources, and can contribute in development of financial markets.

Purpose: This chapter aims to enlighten the stakeholders on the role and contribution and the issues and challenges of large-scale industries in the wake of the globally unified economies.

Need for the study: Large-scale industries are one of the pillars of any nation and can exercise an immense impact on the numerous facets of the economy of any country. Their role and contribution can benefit all the stakeholders, especially in today’s integrated and interdependent world economies. Hence, there is an absolute need to highlight the issues and challenges and suggest measures to overcome them to promote a resilient global economy.

Methodology: The study gathered data from secondary sources like textbooks, articles, and the internet.

Findings: The findings of the study state that large-scale industries are enormous contributors to employment creation, development of the economy, growth of revenue, research and development (R&D) and innovation, export promotion, and infrastructure. The significant challenges include regulatory compliance, workforce management, economic volatility, political instability, supply chain management, environmental compliance, and technology and infrastructure.

Protectionism, deregulation, public–private partnership, privatisation, and environmental regulation are significant government decisions that affect large-scale industries. The study identifies tax incentives, easy access to financing, and domestic and international trade policies to safeguard large-scale industries’ interests.

Practical implications: Large-scale industries contribute towards the growth of global economic resilience in terms of employment generation, technological advancements, and innovation, fostering international trade in today’s interconnected world.