How blockchain technology improves sustainable supply chain processes: a practical guide

Abstract

Blockchain technology has rapidly grown in the last decade and supply chain management has started to emerge as one of its possible fields of application. Blockchain is estimated to have a transformative impact and potentially transform and disrupt supply chains. However, despite recognizing its enormous opportunity, there is still an incomplete, dispersed, and fragmented knowledge of blockchain applications beyond cryptocurrencies. Very few business people still deeply understand how blockchain works and how it can concretely benefit supply chains. This paper contributes to closing this gap, providing a holistic approach to analyzing blockchain technology's applications and benefits in supply chain management. This study aims to support academics and practitioners in adopting a holistic perspective and realizing the potential this technology can offer in different areas of the supply chain, its managerial impact, challenges, and limitations. A "closed-loop" value chain perspective is adopted to analyze the benefits at each core process of the supply chain, from sourcing to final customer and reverse logistics. This paper conducts qualitative research using case studies analysis based on secondary data. Further, it builds a theoretical framework for blockchain-enhanced supply chain performance based on the results of the qualitative research. Finally, the paper discusses the major drawbacks and barriers to blockchain implementation, which help managers evaluate its real net benefits.