Potentials of Blockchain Technologies in Supply Chain Management - A Conceptual Model

Abstract

Meanwhile the rapidly advancing digitisation affects almost all areas of society and business. This development is based in particular on the omni-present use of digital information technology. One of these technologies awarded with special potential related to business is the distributed ledger technology. The objective of this study is to investigate influences on the potentials of blockchain technology, being one distributed ledger technology, in the area of supply chain management. An empirical, qualitative data collection attained through expert interviews forms the data basis. The conceptual model is derived by using Grounded Theory Methodology to evaluate the interviews. Important influencing factors (trust, efficiency, costs, control, privacy, scalability) for the potential of blockchain technology in supply chain management and moderating effects (use case, knowledge, collaboration, regulations) form the conceptual model in order to deduce recommendations for business.