Political and Economic Implications of Blockchain Technology in Business and Healthcare

It is known that trust is of the utmost importance in human interactions, and blockchain technology establishes a new type of foundation for financial and political confidence. This new kind of trust is based on cryptographic techniques and distributed in digital networks. In an uncertain world where it is difficult to tell what is real or fake, decentralized organizational networks may prove to be particularly competitive given that this new "distributed trust" endows them with an unusual functional autonomy, namely guaranteeing the authenticity, confidentiality, and integrity of the processed data. Besides the direct sharing of information enabled by blockchain, transactions can now also take place with newfound trust and ways to safely manage personal data. It is important to look at these implications, particularly in sectors such as business and healthcare. Political and Economic Implications of Blockchain Technology in Business and Healthcare provides relevant theoretical frameworks on the political and economic impact of blockchain technology, which is thought to be able to redesign human interactions concerning transactions. Specifically, it will give ideas, concepts, and instruments considered relevant to advance the knowledge about "cryptoeconomics" and decentralized governance. The chapters will also provide several insights on business applications of this digital innovation, particularly in the healthcare sector, and will explore the ethical impact of the new "distributed trust" paradigm resulting from the surge of such a disruptive technology. This book is essential for students and researchers in social and life sciences, professionals and policymakers working in the fields of public and business administration, healthcare workers and researchers, academicians, and students interested in blockchain technology and the political and economic impacts in the industry.