Mechanisms for Managing Reputational Risks in Decentralized Autonomous Organizations Based on Blockchain Technologies: Entrepreneurial Culture, Regional Aspects

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of mechanisms for managing reputational risks in decentralized autonomous organizations (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations – DAO) operating on the basis of blockchain technologies. The relevance of the research is determined by the rapid development of decentralized digital ecosystems, the spread of algorithmic governance models, and the need to ensure trust among participants in an environment where traditional institutional mechanisms of centralized control are absent. Under such conditions, the issue of reputational risk management becomes particularly important, as the level of trust directly affects the stability and sustainability of decentralized organizations. The aim of the study is to identify and substantiate mechanisms for managing reputational risks in decentralized autonomous organizations based on blockchain technologies, taking into account the specific features of their functioning and the principles of decentralized governance. The methodological basis of the research includes methods of systemic analysis, institutional approach, comparative analysis, and modeling. To identify the key factors shaping reputational risks, the study employs the analysis of contemporary scientific publications, generalization of DAO project practices, and examination of digital governance tools within blockchain ecosystems. As a result of the study, the main sources of reputational risks in decentralized autonomous organizations were systematized, including information asymmetry among participants, insufficient transparency of decision-making procedures, technical vulnerabilities of smart contracts, and potential manipulation of voting mechanisms. The key mechanisms for managing reputational risks in the DAO environment were generalized, including participant reputation evaluation systems, transparent decentralized voting mechanisms, smart contract auditing, and moderation tools for digital communities. Based on the conducted analysis, a conceptual model for managing reputational risks in DAO was developed, which provides for the integration of blockchain transparency tools, collective control mechanisms, and procedures for evaluating the reputational behavior of participants in digital ecosystems. The scientific novelty of the study lies in substantiating a conceptual approach to reputational risk management in decentralized autonomous organizations, which combines the capabilities of blockchain infrastructure with self-regulation mechanisms of decentralized digital communities. The practical significance of the obtained results lies in the possibility of their application by developers of DAO projects, blockchain platforms, and digital ecosystems for the development of reputational risk management systems, increasing the level of trust among participants, and ensuring the stable functioning of decentralized organizations.