The novel Proof of Efficiency (PoEf) Consensus Mechanism: improved efficiency and cybersecurity for Blockchain-based Supply Chain Management Systems.

The rapid growth of blockchain technology in Supply Chain Management (SCM) since 2016 has highlighted the need for faster, more reliable, and transparent data exchanges. However, current blockchain consensus mechanisms struggle to meet the efficiency and scalability requirements of modern SCM systems while remaining vulnerable to attacks. This thesis explores the optimisation of consensus mechanisms, particularly focusing on improving scalability, security, and performance. The research makes three key contributions. First, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 108 peer-reviewed articles was conducted, identifying major blockchain vulnerabilities in consensus mechanisms, smart contracts, network-level attacks, and cryptographic challenges. Second, the thesis introduces the novel Proof of Efficiency (PoEf) consensus mechanism, an improvement over the traditional Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) system. PoEf integrates sharding and a reputation-level score to enhance scalability and security. This mechanism dynamically adjusts the reputation of nodes based on their performance, ensuring high throughput, low latency, and scalability. Simulation results using BlockSim confirm that PoEf delivers higher throughput, lower latency, and greater scalability, making it more suitable for supply chain operations. Third, a Decision Matrix compares the performance and security of various consensus mechanisms, offering guidance for selecting the best fit for specific SCM requirements. Overall, PoEf represents a significant advancement in blockchain consensus mechanisms, demonstrating its potential to improve performance and handle large-scale SCM operations efficiently.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Haughton, Odayne

• T Technoleg (Cyffredinol)

Dc Identifier Grantnumber

UWTSD

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.uwtsd.ac.uk:3356