Enablers to the adoption of blockchain technology in logistics supply chains: evidence from an emerging economy

Abstract

This study identifies the factors that can enable blockchain technology (BCT) implementation in the logistics sector and reveals the interdependencies, hierarchical structure, and causalities between them. This study uses a three-phased research framework to identify thirteen enablers to BCT adoption in the Logistics Supply Chain (LSC) and analyse the hierarchical and cause-effect relationships using an integrated Interpretive Structural Modelling and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (ISM-DEMATEL) technique. This study classifies the enablers into three categories: prominent enablers, influencing enablers, and resulting enablers. ‘Real-time connectivity and information flow’ were identified as the most influencing enabler, whereas traceability was found to be the most prominent and resulting enabler. This study contributes to the literature by identifying the critical BCT enablers and modelling their hierarchical and causal relationships to address the absence of an appropriate decision-making framework that aids managers in understanding why and how BCT can be adopted in LSC, especially in an emerging economy like India. Strategic recommendations on how BCT can help overcome some select challenges faced by LSC organizations are also presented. Keywords Blockchain technology, Logistics, ISM-DEMATEL, Logistics Supply Chain, Technology adoption