Blockchain technology for viable circular digital supplychains: an integrated approach for evaluating the implementation barriers

Abstract

PurposeBlockchain technology (BT) is creating a new standard for all business operations. It can assist businesses in handling the complexity of circular digital supply chain (DCM) management. Despite this optimistic view, several barriers hinder its implementation. In this regard, this study contributes to Industry 4.0, circular economy (CE), the viability with a critical emphasis on its potential ramifications and influence on the future agenda while using BT technology in the supply chain (SC). In addition, the research reduces the knowledge gap by investigating and ranking the key barriers to the deployment of BT in viable circular digital supply chains (VCDSCs) and studies their interdependencies and causal relationships. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachThe barriers to BT adoption in the VCDSC are identified through a thorough literature review and considering viability performance. These barriers are then classified using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method. Decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) is then employed to examine the cause/effect, correlation, and connection among the 14 barriers selected barriers from the AHP classification to estimate each barrier's overall degree of impact over the others.FindingsThis paper identifies and analyzes the BT adoption barriers in the VCDSC as well as examines how the key barriers interact. As a result, according to the AHP/DEMATEL method, the most prominent influencing barriers to the BT implementation in the VCDSC are “Data transparency,” “Market competition,” “Missing infrastructure,” “Lack of standardization,” “Complex protocol,” “Lack of industry involvement,” “Financial constraints,” “Missing infrastructure,” “Data transparency” and “Interoperability.” The outcomes offer a potential path for identifying important barriers as well as insight into the implementation of BT in the SC while integrating different capabilities such as viability, sustainability and CE principles.Practical implicationsManagers and researchers will benefit from this research by gaining an understanding of the challenges that must be prioritized and examined for BT to be implemented successfully in the VCDSC.Originality/valueThe use and implementation of blockchain-enabled VCDSC continue to face challenges despite an increase in relevant practice and research. Despite the benefits of BT, managers struggle to apply such technology in the context of their company. In this respect, this paper uses an integrated AHP–DEMATEL for categorizing the BT barriers as well as the interrelationship between them. In this respect, this paper presents the BT barriers studied are those related to the use of BT in the SC while integrating different paradigms such as viability, digitalization and CE. While many studies look at the barriers to BT adoption; none of them has ever included the viable capability, which means the ability to “react agilely to positive changes, be resilient to absorb negative events and re-cover after disruptions and survive at long-term periods.” The study concludes with insightful comments based on the findings and suggestions for eradicating those obstacles and their associated effects.

Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Supply Chain

“…The integration of blockchain into supply chains presents a substantial challenge: interoperability with existing systems (Frederico et al, 2023). Blockchain's transformative potential can only be fully realized when it coexists harmoniously with legacy systems (Chaouni Benabdellah et al, 2023). To overcome these interoperability hurdles, businesses have to adopt adaptable frameworks, APIs, and standards (Kayikci et al, 2022) and thereby ensuring a smooth transition and allows blockchain to enhance, rather than disrupt, existing operations (Chaouni Benabdellah et al, 2023).…”

“…Blockchain's transformative potential can only be fully realized when it coexists harmoniously with legacy systems (Chaouni Benabdellah et al, 2023). To overcome these interoperability hurdles, businesses have to adopt adaptable frameworks, APIs, and standards (Kayikci et al, 2022) and thereby ensuring a smooth transition and allows blockchain to enhance, rather than disrupt, existing operations (Chaouni Benabdellah et al, 2023). Addressing interoperability challenges is inevitable for realizing the efficiency, transparency, and accountability benefits that blockchain promises in supply chain management, generating a cohesive and modern ecosystem (Joshi et al, 2023).…”

“…Addressing interoperability challenges is inevitable for realizing the efficiency, transparency, and accountability benefits that blockchain promises in supply chain management, generating a cohesive and modern ecosystem (Joshi et al, 2023). Likewise, incorporating blockchain into supply chains brings forward a significant hurdle: interoperability amidst data fragmentation (Chaouni Benabdellah et al, 2023). Traditional supply chain systems often rely on siloed data structures, hampering the seamless exchange of information (Frederico et al, 2023).…”

“…Traditional supply chain systems often rely on siloed data structures, hampering the seamless exchange of information (Frederico et al, 2023). Blockchain's transparency and decentralization offer a solution but require standardized protocols and communication channels to effectively unify fragmented data (Chaouni Benabdellah et al, 2023). Blockchain can serve as a unifying force, bridging gaps, and promoting a cohesive data ecosystem (Pandey et al, 2023).…”

Addressing Challenges: Adopting Blockchain in the Pharmaceutical Industry for Enhanced Sustainability

“…blockchain-based operating systems. Moreover, while current blockchain usage is free, as adoption increases, subscription fees might be introduced due to network saturation, like other technology adoption scenarios 70,71,72,73,15,74,75,18,77,76,78,79,80,81,82,21,83,84,8,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96. 97 2 Lack of regulatory framework If proper governmental regulations (data security and privacy laws) are not put in place, the widespread adoption of blockchain will remain hindered.…”