Blockchain in the supply chain – A comprehensive framework for theory-driven research
Wafaa A.H. Ahmed, Bart L. MacCarthy
Abstract
Blockchain research in the supply chain management field is growing. The complexities of blockchain as a technology and its potential implications for business and digital ecosystems have expanded the spectrum of research areas that need to be investigated to further develop this emerging field. The increasing number of applications of the technology in supply chain practice calls for theory-driven research to develop better understanding of blockchain and its implications for the supply chain. However, theory-based research on blockchain adoption, deployment and use is scarce, limiting theory development in the field. There is a lack of guidance on the range of theories that can be used to undertake theory-driven research that investigates different facets of blockchain adoption, deployment and use. We address this need in this research. We draw on the existing literature to develop a comprehensive list of factors and barriers for blockchain applications in the supply chain. We present a framework for theory-driven research capturing four distinct facets of supply chain research studies - intra-organizational, inter-organizational, technical, and external environment. Considering the multidisciplinary nature of blockchain research, we propose different theoretical perspectives that can be used alone or in combination to advance theory development in each area as the pace of blockchain adoption in the supply chain increases.