Foundations of Technologies
Abstract
This chapter examines three technology families that have drawn attention from supply chain researchers and practitioners: blockchain, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), and edge computing. The argument is not simply that each yields operational benefits, but that their significance lies in addressing complementary problems within a single domain. Blockchain addresses trust and information integrity in multi-party networks; AR/VR addresses human interface challenges in complex environments; edge computing provides distributed computation enabling real-time responsiveness at scale. Drawing on recent work, the chapter traces how these technologies support the industrial metaverse. Sustainability, resilience, human-centred design, and infrastructure scalability are key themes. It also examines challenges—interoperability, governance gaps, cost barriers, and security exposures—and offers a coherent view of their convergence and implications.
