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A Systematic Review of Blockchain Literature in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Identifying Research Questions and Future Directions

Author

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  • Sebastian Kummer

    (Department of Logistics, School of Management, Jilin University, no. 5988 Renmin Street, Changchun 130012, China)

  • David M. Herold

    (Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • Mario Dobrovnik

    (Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • Jasmin Mikl

    (Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

  • Nicole Schäfer

    (Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Potential blockchain applications in logistics and transport (LSCM) have gained increasing attention within both academia and industry. However, as a field in its infancy, blockchain research often lacks theoretical foundations, and it is not clear which and to what extent organizational theories are used to investigate blockchain technology in the field of LSCM. In response, based upon a systematic literature review, this paper: (a) identifies the most relevant organizational theories used in blockchain literature in the context of LSCM; and (b) examines the content of the identified organizational theories to formulate relevant research questions for investigating blockchain technology in LSCM. Our results show that blockchain literature in LSCM is based around six organizational theories, namely: agency theory, information theory, institutional theory, network theory, the resource-based view and transaction cost analysis. We also present how these theories can be used to examine specific blockchain problems by identifying blockchain-specific research questions that are worthy of investigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sebastian Kummer & David M. Herold & Mario Dobrovnik & Jasmin Mikl & Nicole Schäfer, 2020. "A Systematic Review of Blockchain Literature in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Identifying Research Questions and Future Directions," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jftint:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:60-:d:335821
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Taab Ahmad Samad & Rohit Sharma & Kunal K Ganguly & Samuel Fosso Wamba & Geetika Jain, 2023. "Enablers to the adoption of blockchain technology in logistics supply chains: evidence from an emerging economy," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 251-291, August.
    3. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Steve Simske & Horst Treiblmaier, 2021. "Blockchain Technologies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-28, October.
    4. Mansoureh Beheshti Nejad & Seyed Mahmoud Zanjirchi & Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Bamakan & Negar Jalilian, 2024. "Blockchain Adoption in Operations Management: A Systematic Literature Review of 14 Years of Research," Annals of Data Science, Springer, vol. 11(4), pages 1361-1389, August.
    5. Ulpan Tokkozhina & Ana Lucia Martins & Joao C. Ferreira, 2023. "Uncovering dimensions of the impact of blockchain technology in supply chain management," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 99-125, March.
    6. Onjewu, Adah-Kole Emmanuel & Walton, Nigel & Koliousis, Ioannis, 2023. "Blockchain agency theory," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    7. Lucie Sislian & Anicia Jaegler, 2022. "Linkage of blockchain to enterprise resource planning systems for improving sustainable performance," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 737-750, March.
    8. Bajomo, Mary & Ogbeyemi, Akinola & Zhang, Wenjun, 2022. "A systems dynamics approach to the management of material procurement for Engineering, Procurement and Construction industry," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    9. Assunta Di Vaio & Anum Zaffar & Daniel Balsalobre-Lorente & Antonio Garofalo, 2023. "Decarbonization technology responsibility to gender equality in the shipping industry: a systematic literature review and new avenues ahead," Journal of Shipping and Trade, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 1-20, December.
    10. Jacob Lohmer & Elias Ribeiro da Silva & Rainer Lasch, 2022. "Blockchain Technology in Operations & Supply Chain Management: A Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-88, May.
    11. Bai, Chunguang & Zhu, Qingyun & Sarkis, Joseph, 2021. "Joint blockchain service vendor-platform selection using social network relationships: A multi-provider multi-user decision perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
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