The techno-ties that bind: how transaction-specific investment, trust and adaptive collaboration influence performance in e-commerce consortium blockchain

Purpose - Blockchains used by e-commerce consortia are a novel form of governance that facilitates coordination and collaboration among the numerous organisations that comprise e-commerce supply chains. Despite the increasing prevalence of consortium blockchain networks for e-commerce, there is a limited understanding of the economic and social dynamics that influence the behaviour of blockchain consortium members. By utilising transaction cost theory and social exchange theory, this research investigates the interplay between blockchain transaction-specific investment (BTSI), trust, adaptive collaboration (ADC) and the overall performance of supply chains in consortium blockchains Design/methodology/approach - A quantitative research approach was employed to collect data from a representative sample of blockchain organisations affiliated with e-commerce consortium blockchains worldwide. Following this, the data obtained from 361 participants were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings - The results of our study indicate that BTSI has a substantial impact on trust. Furthermore, trust plays a pivotal role in shaping ADC, and ADC, in turn, acts as a mediator in the relationship between trust and performance outcomes. Originality/value - This study underlines these economic and social dynamics in the evolving context of consortium blockchain networks, offering insights into their significance within a technology-driven environment.