The impact of blockchain adoption on corporate investment efficiency

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of blockchain technology adoption on corporate investment efficiency. Utilizing a difference-in-differences methodology on an international sample of Forbes Global 2000 companies between 2012 and 2021, we find that firms implementing blockchain exhibit significantly higher investment efficiency post-adoption compared to non-adopters. This effect is more pronounced among ex ante informationally opaque firms. Our results suggest that blockchain adoption reduces overinvesting activities by restricting avenues for managerial discretion through enhanced transparency. Our findings contribute to the growing literature on blockchain's real economic impacts and inform blockchain adoption decisions by demonstrating investment efficiency benefits.