Web3 and Blockchain Transformations in Global Supply Chains from Coursera

The global supply chain is a $50 trillion industry and is the foundation of our global economy. While information technology has improved the flow of goods globally over the last few decades, as the COVID-19 crisis revealed there is still critical work to do. Today’s supply chains are complex, with parties conducting their transactions through a Byzantine network of computer systems with disparate applications like e-mail, phone, and fax. There are invoices, letters of credit, bank guarantees, bills of lading, tax forms, receipts, and other paperwork moving through this complex labyrinth. Payments are made through a hodgepodge of intermediaries, and consumers and supply chain players alike struggle to get accurate information.

Enter blockchain—the Internet of Value. For the first time in human history, individuals and organizations can manage and trade their assets digitally peer to peer. These assets can be digital like money, identity, and private information; or they can be physical assets represented by digital tokens. Parties to a transaction achieve trust not necessarily through an intermediary, but through cryptography and clever code. In this course, you will learn how blockchain can improve global supply chains by streamlining processes, reducing costs and fraud, improving supply-chain visibility, authenticating assets and their origins, and ultimately fuelling product innovation.

Development of this course was made possible thanks to the generous support of FedEx. Dale Chrystie, Business Fellow & Blockchain Strategist at FedEx, appears in several of the course videos, bringing a real-world industry perspective to the course. The scripts for these videos have been written and/or reviewed by the Blockchain Research Institute and approved by INSEAD to ensure that this content is pedagogically sound, unbiased, and academically rigorous.

What's inside

Syllabus

Blockchain in Global Trade

Global trade has grown in complexity and magnitude over millennia, but its processes remain relatively unchanged. This module explores how blockchain can help modernize global trade and link together other capabilities for the twenty-first century. In this module, you will learn how various participants in the global trade network stand to derive unique value from blockchain technology—including banks and financiers, corporations, freight forwarders and carriers, customs and port authorities, regulatory bodies, and insurance providers. You will explore the ways that blockchain serves to link together organizations, industries, and technologies, and fosters an approach to collaboration that will drive new efficiencies.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Takes an operational perspective to supply chain management by examining problems and solutions that are common across industries

Taught by Don Tapscott and Alisa Acosta, who are well-respected figures in the field of blockchain technology

Provides a comprehensive overview of how blockchain can be used to improve global supply chains, from reducing costs and fraud to improving supply-chain visibility

Includes real-world examples of how companies are using blockchain to improve their supply chains, such as FedEx and Walmart

Offers a practical approach to learning about blockchain, with hands-on exercises and case studies

Requires students to have a basic understanding of supply chain management and blockchain technology

Reviews summary

Strategic blockchain for global supply chains

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive strategic overview of how blockchain and Web3 are transforming global supply chains. Students particularly value the real-world industry insights, especially from FedEx, which provide practical context. Many found the content highly relevant for business professionals seeking to understand the strategic implications rather than deep technical details. While providing a solid foundational understanding, some noted it might be less suitable for deeply technical users or those seeking hands-on development. The course effectively explains how blockchain can streamline processes and improve visibility. It's considered an excellent starting point for non-technical leaders.

Well-structured modules, mostly clear pacing.

"The modules were well-organized, making it easy to follow the progression of topics."

"I found the course flow logical and the content delivery consistent throughout."

"Some sections felt a bit rushed, while others dwelled on introductory concepts for too long, depending on my prior background."

Provides a solid base for complex topics.

"The course gave me a very clear and concise overview of blockchain's role in global supply chains, starting from the basics."

"It helped me build a strong conceptual framework, allowing me to grasp difficult topics more easily."

"I now feel confident discussing blockchain and Web3's impact on logistics and trade, even with limited prior knowledge."

Benefits from strong industry perspective from FedEx.

"The inclusion of FedEx's perspective, especially Dale Chrystie, brought an incredible level of practical relevance to the theoretical concepts."

"I appreciated the direct industry examples; it made the concepts much more tangible and applicable to current challenges."

"Hearing from an actual practitioner like those from FedEx validated the potential of these technologies for me."

Excellent for understanding high-level business applications.

"This course is perfect for business professionals seeking to understand the strategic implications of blockchain in supply chains without getting lost in technical jargon."

"I found the focus on business use cases and real-world impact extremely valuable for my role as a supply chain manager."

"It truly opened my eyes to how blockchain can drive efficiencies and transparency at an organizational level for me."

Not ideal for technical experts or hands-on implementation.

"As a software engineer, I found the course lacked the deep technical dives and coding examples I was hoping for."

"It’s more theoretical than practical; if you're looking for how to actually build blockchain solutions, this isn't it."

"While great for business, I wanted more on the underlying blockchain architecture and smart contract development."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Web3 and Blockchain Transformations in Global Supply Chains with these activities:

Learn About Blockchain

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Review essential blockchain concepts before taking this course, including its decentralized nature, distributed ledger technology, and consensus mechanisms.

Browse courses on Blockchain Basics

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Read articles on blockchain technology
Watch online videos about blockchain
Attend a blockchain webinar

Read "Blockchain Revolution" by Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology and its potential to transform various industries and aspects of society.

View Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology... on Amazon

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Acquire a copy of the book
Read the book thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important concepts
Reflect on the key takeaways and their implications for the future

Practice Coding Smart Contracts

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Build proficiency in writing and deploying smart contracts, gaining hands-on experience in the development process.

Browse courses on Blockchain Development

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Set up a blockchain development environment
Write smart contracts in Solidity
Deploy smart contracts to a blockchain network
Test and debug smart contracts

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Attend Blockchain Industry Conferences

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Engage with professionals in the blockchain industry, exchange ideas, and gain insights into the latest trends and developments.

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Research upcoming blockchain conferences and meetups
Register for events that align with your interests
Attend the conferences, participate in sessions, and network with attendees

Develop a Supply Chain Management App

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Apply your understanding of blockchain to create a tangible project that addresses real-world supply chain challenges.

Browse courses on Blockchain Applications

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Identify a specific supply chain problem to address
Design the blockchain-based solution
Develop the app using relevant programming languages
Test and deploy the app

Career center

Learners who complete Web3 and Blockchain Transformations in Global Supply Chains will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Chain Managers oversee the movement of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They ensure that products are delivered on time, at the right cost, and in good condition. This course can help Supply Chain Managers understand how blockchain can improve supply chain efficiency and reduce costs. It can also help them develop the skills needed to implement blockchain solutions in their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Supply Chain Manager

Logistics Manager

Logistics Managers plan and coordinate the movement of goods and services. They work with suppliers, carriers, and customers to ensure that products are delivered on time, at the right cost, and in good condition. This course can help Logistics Managers understand how blockchain can improve supply chain efficiency and reduce costs. It can also help them develop the skills needed to implement blockchain solutions in their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Logistics Manager

Procurement Manager

Procurement Managers are responsible for sourcing and purchasing goods and services for their organizations. They work with suppliers to negotiate contracts and ensure that products meet quality standards. This course can help Procurement Managers understand how blockchain can improve supply chain transparency and reduce fraud. It can also help them develop the skills needed to implement blockchain solutions in their organizations.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for developing and launching new products. They work with engineers, designers, and marketers to create products that meet customer needs. This course can help Product Managers understand how blockchain can be used to track product provenance and ensure product authenticity. It can also help them develop the skills needed to implement blockchain solutions in their organizations.

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Blockchain Developer

Blockchain Developers are responsible for developing and maintaining blockchain applications. They work with businesses to design and implement blockchain solutions that meet their specific needs. This course can help Blockchain Developers learn about the fundamentals of blockchain technology and develop the skills needed to build blockchain applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help businesses understand their needs and develop solutions to meet those needs. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop recommendations. This course can help Business Analysts understand how blockchain can be used to improve business processes and reduce costs. It can also help them develop the skills needed to implement blockchain solutions in their organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Consultant

Consultants help businesses solve problems and improve their performance. They work with clients to identify opportunities, develop strategies, and implement solutions. This course can help Consultants understand how blockchain can be used to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce costs. It can also help them develop the skills needed to advise clients on blockchain solutions.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make predictions. They work with businesses to collect, analyze, and interpret data. This course can help Data Scientists understand how blockchain can be used to improve data security and privacy. It can also help them develop the skills needed to implement blockchain solutions in their organizations.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts evaluate investments and make recommendations to clients. They work with businesses to analyze financial data and develop investment strategies. This course can help Financial Analysts understand how blockchain can be used to improve financial transparency and reduce fraud. It can also help them develop the skills needed to advise clients on blockchain solutions.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. They work with businesses to create brand awareness, generate leads, and drive sales. This course can help Marketing Managers understand how blockchain can be used to improve customer engagement and build trust. It can also help them develop the skills needed to implement blockchain solutions in their organizations.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. They work with teams to develop project plans, track progress, and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course may be useful to Project Managers who are working on blockchain projects. It can help them understand the unique challenges and opportunities of blockchain projects and develop the skills needed to manage them successfully.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers are responsible for leading sales teams and driving sales growth. They work with customers to identify needs, develop solutions, and close deals. This course may be useful to Sales Managers who are selling blockchain solutions. It can help them understand the unique benefits of blockchain and develop the skills needed to sell blockchain solutions to customers.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They work with businesses to create software solutions that meet their specific needs. This course may be useful to Software Engineers who are working on blockchain projects. It can help them understand the unique challenges and opportunities of blockchain projects and develop the skills needed to develop blockchain applications.

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System Analyst

System Analysts study business processes and design computer systems to improve efficiency. They work with businesses to identify opportunities for improvement and develop systems to meet their needs. This course may be useful to System Analysts who are working on blockchain projects. It can help them understand the unique challenges and opportunities of blockchain projects and develop the skills needed to design blockchain systems.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for software and hardware products. They work with engineers to understand the products and develop documentation that is clear and easy to follow. This course may be useful to Technical Writers who are documenting blockchain products. It can help them understand the unique challenges of blockchain technology and develop the skills needed to write clear and concise documentation for blockchain products.

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