We aimed to arrive at a set of papers for this systematic review focusing on blockchain in the supply chain. We followed a multidimensional approach to analyze the papers and provide an in-depth understanding of the impact of blockchain across the supply chain network. Second, at the cross-organizational level, the review identifies how blockchain affects the interactions between organizations in the supply chain network.
Pre-implementation driven' focuses on the impact of blockchain related to preparations/conditions required before blockchain is implemented in the supply chain. Post-implementation driven 'focuses on the impact of blockchain related to changes that blockchain can bring in the supply chain after implementation. This section will present the analysis of the papers and address the research question by understanding the impact of blockchain on the supply chain.
The implementation of Blockchain has implications for the supply chain as it requires a redesign of supply chain processes and business models to improve efficiency (Chang et al., 2019). Moreover, the continued application of blockchain in the supply chain process could lead to unexpected changes in the business model (Tönnissen & Teuteberg 2020). For example, enabling peer-to-peer authentication introduces disintermediation and decentralization, which ultimately optimizes supply chain operations (Lai et al., 2021).
These beneficial impacts of blockchain encourage organizations to further adopt blockchain in the supply chain network (van Hoek, 2019).
Impact of Blockchain at the Inter-organisational Level
- Integration and collaboration
- Equality in information, data sharing and management
- Inter-organisational trust
- Network provenance, relational governance, and interdependency
- Network profit and cost
However, improving inter-organizational trust in the network is a challenge (Ghode et al., 2020; Ghode et al. suggested that blockchain should be used in a supply chain network that lacks inter-organizational trust. The exchange of reliable information within the network helps to improve the origin of the network (Kumar et al., 2020; Rogerson & Parry, 2020) and maintain relationships between partners (Ghode et al., 2020). However, managing the cooperation between members in the relational management network is challenging, which could affect the adoption of blockchain in the network (Ghode et al., 2020).
Obeying the management rules of organizations is also challenging to implement blockchain in the supply chain (Ghode et al., 2021). Although the reduction of dependency appears to have a positive impact, the change in power distribution may cause disadvantages (Roeck et al., 2020). In addition to financial benefits at the organizational level, blockchain increases the overall profit in the supply chain network by reducing the participation cost (Zheng et al., 2019), reducing the risk of partners in the network (Zheng et al., 2019), and facilitating information sharing (Hayrutdinov et al., 2020; Zheng et al., 2019).
Research shows that network profit will be higher for supply chain network participants who have adopted blockchain than those who have not adopted blockchain technology when participants are risk neutral (Zheng et al., 2019). Another study examined information sharing efforts and found that blockchain increases network profits by properly sharing information, reducing transaction costs, and reducing price sensitivity in the network (Hayrutinov et al., 2020).
Impact of Blockchain at the Industry Level
Industry performance and sustainability
Industry coordination, traceability and digital model
Industry standards and regulations
Some argue that regulatory requirements for blockchain will help record information about the product touchpoints and facilitate the information to the regulatory authorities, authorized actors and the end users (Sharma et al., 2019).
4 Discussion
So far, however, the new exciting effects of blockchain at the organizational level are mostly suggested and not realized in detail. Based on these findings, this review suggests possible several research directions (in terms of research questions) that consider the implications of blockchain in the supply chain. I). How does the blockchain change in the business model affect organizational supply chain activities. iii).
How supply chain process re-engineering with blockchain brings new tensions to organizations while resolving current tensions. iv). How the integration and adoption of blockchain by one actor affects other actors in the network. xiii). How blockchain can change ownership of information by challenging stakeholders. relationships in the supply chain. xvi).
How should the need for blockchain in the network be evaluated in terms of provenance and trust. xviii). How should the industry-level blockchain initiative be introduced and how will it affect the digitization of the supply chain. xxi). The proposed future agenda on blockchain-based supply chain studies will help academics with research directions for substantial research in the future.
In practice, this research lays a foundation for managers to understand the current impact of blockchain within the supply chain. This allows them to prepare appropriately and strategically to adequately realize the value of blockchain in the supply chain. Knowing the different dimensions of impact will help them recognize the business value of blockchain and prepare to adopt blockchain solutions in the supply chain.
Moving forward, knowledge of the post-implementation impacts will enable them to realize how much value blockchain can bring to the supply chain. To further support managers in understanding the interaction between the impact of blockchain at different levels and phases, we present a blockchain impact framework below (Figure 3) that illustrates the impact of blockchain in three critical phases, from preparation to blockchain adoption. It also shows how understanding different types of impacts helps to prepare, recognize the value and adopt blockchain in the supply chain network and what understanding managers need to have in each phase.
5 Conclusion
This framework is thus useful in guiding managers' understanding and actions regarding key impacts at three critical phases. This research also shows that most articles remain conceptual, pointing to the embryonic nature of blockchain applications.
A Literature Review of Blockchain Technology Applications in Supply Chains: A Comprehensive Analysis of Topics, Methodologies, and Industries. On the pursuit of supply chain transparency through blockchain: lessons learned from two serialized data projects. Analysis of the Impact of Blockchain Technology for Operations and Supply Chain Management: An Explanatory Model Consisting of Multiple Case Studies.
Blockchain's impact on the supply chain: a theory-based research framework and a call to action. Developing a framework for considering blockchain pilots in the supply chain – lessons from early adopters in the industry. Examples of blockchain implementations in logistics and supply chain management: research into the conscious use of a new technology.
Appendices
Platform-Enabled Supply Chain Operations in the Blockchain Age: Supply Contracting and Moral Hazards Decision Sciences. 2021, 'Supply chain coordination with an online platform considering green technology in the blockchain era', International Journal of Production Research,. Blockchain technology the key to trustworthiness of supply chain transaction data, Journal of Management & Engineering Integration.
A supply chain transparency and sustainability technology assessment model for blockchain technology, International Journal of Production Research. Workshop participants reported that blockchain adoption in the supply chain today is very limited, but actively considered by many. The results support the model and indicate that blockchain applications can improve supply chain performance.
