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International Journal of Mathematical, Engineering and Management Sciences

ISSN: 2455-7749 . Open Access


Blockchain in Supply Chain Management: A Synthesis of Barriers and Enablers for Managers

Blockchain in Supply Chain Management: A Synthesis of Barriers and Enablers for Managers

Huzaifa Kafeel
Warwick Manufacturing Group, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Vikas Kumar
Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK. Department of Management Studies, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, India. University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Linh Duong
Bristol Business School, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.

DOI https://doi.org/10.33889/IJMEMS.2023.8.1.002

Received on June 30, 2022
  ;
Accepted on November 18, 2022

Abstract

Blockchain is an emerging and disruptive technology and has the potential to change how supply chains manage their information. However, Blockchain is accompanied by challenges, such as increased information technology complexity, issues of scalability, incompatibility with existing laws and regulations, and a lack of awareness among organisations and customers. This research conducts a bibliometric analysis based on a sample of 68 papers which address the barriers and enablers of blockchain adoption in supply chain management. A recurring theme in the papers was managers’ lack of understanding of Blockchain, which acted as a barrier to adoption. This study proposes a possible explanation by arguing that the academic models used in literature are too obscure from a manager’s perspective and that there is a need to synthesise literature into a framework which is easily understood and familiar. Therefore, the barriers and enablers identified in this study were grouped into the robust Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environment (PESTLE) framework. A key finding from this framework was the absence of political barriers or enablers, which is surprising since blockchain adoption challenges the current status quo in multiple ways. Furthermore, the environmental enablers and barriers were scarcely discussed, with little empirical evidence.

Keywords- Blockchain, Supply chain management, Systematic literature review, Bibliometric analysis, PESTLE.

Citation

Kafeel, H., Kumar, V., & Duong, L. (2023). Blockchain in Supply Chain Management: A Synthesis of Barriers and Enablers for Managers. International Journal of Mathematical, Engineering and Management Sciences, 8(1), 15-42. https://doi.org/10.33889/IJMEMS.2023.8.1.002.