Blockchain in supply chain management: a comprehensive review of success measurement methods

Abstract

Research on blockchain technology in supply chain management has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential to address critical challenges such as transparency, traceability, and operational efficiency. Despite this interest, the relationship between blockchain implementation and its measurable success has not been thoroughly investigated. This study conducts a systematic literature review of 46 peer-reviewed papers published between 2008 and 2024, synthesizing current research on how blockchain performance is assessed within supply chains. By categorizing the findings across key success factors, research methodologies, and performance indicators, this study provides a structured understanding of blockchain’s role in SCM. Emerging from our review, we develop a dynamic evaluation framework that systematically integrates use cases, objectives, input criteria, research methodologies, and expected outcomes, illustrating their interdependencies. This framework demonstrates blockchain’s capacity to enhance supply chain performance through improved transparency, enhanced traceability, and strengthened sustainability practices. Furthermore, it provides a structured approach to assessing blockchain’s long-term viability, emphasizing its iterative nature, which allows organizations to refine and adapt their implementations in response to evolving business and regulatory landscapes. Our findings underscore the cross-industry applicability of blockchain technology, spanning various sectors and bridging both operational and strategic objectives. However, the analysis reveals significant research gaps, particularly in empirical studies validating blockchain’s long-term impact on supply chain resilience, sustainability, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Additionally, inconsistencies in performance measurement approaches hinder the comparability of findings across studies. Addressing these gaps through future research will be essential to fully unlocking blockchain’s transformative potential in SCM and ensuring its effective integration into global supply chain ecosystems.