Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs): Field of Research and Avenues for Future Studies

Abstract

Objective: this study aims to review the literature on DAOs in business administration and propose a framework for DAOs compared to the key features of market, hierarchy, and network governance forms and avenues for future research. Methods: we performed a systematic literature review in Scopus and Web of Science databases and identified 69 articles on DAOs published in or before March 2024 in the field of business and management. Results: we describe the main characteristics, opportunities, and challenges for DAOs. Our study also discusses how DAOs can be further explored and how they may or may not fit in different governance and organizational forms. Conclusions: we conclude by offering several guidelines to researchers who want to comprehend the phenomena of DAOs and contribute to theory and practice in business administration.