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

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.