Decentralizing Supply Chains: The Socioeconomic and Ethical Revolution through Distributed Systems Integration

Abstract

The supply chains of today are in a more vulnerable position than it has ever been before due to the recent global disruptions, which show the weakness of centralized operational models. The distributed systems integration is not merely efficient but a systemic solution that goes past efficiency in operations to include basic socioeconomic restructuring. Decentralized supply chains allow global market access to small businesses through blockchain technology, smart contracts, and peer-to-peer networks, at a minimum, improving transparency and resilience. Nonetheless, this change brings about some complicated ethical issues of algorithmic bias, data sovereignty, and digital colonialism, especially in marginalized groups. Regulatory frameworks are still disjointed at the jurisdictional level, and global networks have challenges in complying. Regardless of these challenges, distributed supply chains show a strong promise of establishing more inclusive, resilient, and ethically-based trade networks that redistribute economic power more fairly among players without affecting operational efficiency.