Entering the world behind the clothes that we wear: practical applications of blockchain technology

Abstract

This paper investigates blockchain technology from a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) perspective. Transparency is vital for achieving accountability, improving the environmental footprint and ensuring that workers’ rights are respected. Blockchain-enabled capabilities provide opportunities to support improved information transparency to sub-suppliers and customers. Case study research is used within the complex multi-tier global fashion industry to explore the application of blockchain technology in enhancing TBL performance. This paper responds to calls from the literature to provide practice-based research on blockchain and supply chain management challenges. The research is based on three technology-based start-ups (at different Technology Readiness Levels (TRL)) and investigates their practical experiences to date, in transforming and advancing supply chain TBL. As this research focuses on the early adoption of blockchain technology within the fashion industry, it demonstrates the practicalities of implementation including its capabilities, operational improvements, challenges and limitations.