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When upstream suppliers drive traceability: A process study on blockchain adoption for sustainability

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Titel: When upstream suppliers drive traceability: A process study on blockchain adoption for sustainability
Autoren: Heldt, Lisa, Pikuleva, Ekaterina
Weitere Verfasser: Lund University, Other research environments, Centre for Retail and Logistics (REAL), Lunds universitet, Andra forskningsmiljöer, Centrum för handel och logistik (REAL), Originator, Lund University, University Specialised Centres, The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, Lunds universitet, Universitetets särskilda verksamheter, Internationella miljöinstitutet, Originator
Quelle: International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management Embracing the Mess? Building Sustainability and Resilience at Supply Chains’ Upstream End.. 55(3):196-222
Schlagwörter: Social Sciences, Economics and Business, Business Administration, Samhällsvetenskap, Ekonomi och näringsliv, Företagsekonomi, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Teknik, Naturresursteknik, Miljöteknik och miljöledning
Beschreibung: Purpose This paper aims to investigate the emergence of blockchain-enabled traceability in complex multi-tiered supply chains, focusing on the perspective of upstream suppliers. Blockchain technology receives attention for its potential to enable better traceability and thus sustainability risk management, yet there is limited empirical evidence on how actual implementation unfolds. We aim to understand how blockchain adoption unfolds in practice, particularly in critical mineral supply chains that are critical to the sustainability transition yet linked to severe environmental and human rights risks and to explore the role of traditionally non-focal firms in this process. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a process-based case study design, our research is grounded in data collected through participant observation (>12 months) within an upstream mining company, supplemented by interviews and document review. Our study employs the complex adaptive systems (CAS) lens and uses an abductive approach for data analysis. Findings In our case, blockchain-based traceability in the cobalt supply chain was co-constructed over time, fundamentally driven by a large upstream supplier but enabled through supply-chain-spanning collaboration with like-minded downstream actors and successive expansion into the opaque midstream, enabled through a stakeholder alliance forum and formalized in the blockchain. We find, however, that visibility, standards, trust and follow-up capacities need to exist in their own right, ideally prior to blockchain implementation. Originality/value Our paper provides empirical insights from an upstream (vs downstream) perspective and investigates blockchain’s implementation (vs potential) to complement and ground existing research. Further, we extend the CAS framework by emphasizing agency and visible horizon of traditionally non-focal firms.
Zugangs-URL: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2024-0022
Datenbank: SwePub
Beschreibung
Abstract:Purpose This paper aims to investigate the emergence of blockchain-enabled traceability in complex multi-tiered supply chains, focusing on the perspective of upstream suppliers. Blockchain technology receives attention for its potential to enable better traceability and thus sustainability risk management, yet there is limited empirical evidence on how actual implementation unfolds. We aim to understand how blockchain adoption unfolds in practice, particularly in critical mineral supply chains that are critical to the sustainability transition yet linked to severe environmental and human rights risks and to explore the role of traditionally non-focal firms in this process. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a process-based case study design, our research is grounded in data collected through participant observation (>12 months) within an upstream mining company, supplemented by interviews and document review. Our study employs the complex adaptive systems (CAS) lens and uses an abductive approach for data analysis. Findings In our case, blockchain-based traceability in the cobalt supply chain was co-constructed over time, fundamentally driven by a large upstream supplier but enabled through supply-chain-spanning collaboration with like-minded downstream actors and successive expansion into the opaque midstream, enabled through a stakeholder alliance forum and formalized in the blockchain. We find, however, that visibility, standards, trust and follow-up capacities need to exist in their own right, ideally prior to blockchain implementation. Originality/value Our paper provides empirical insights from an upstream (vs downstream) perspective and investigates blockchain’s implementation (vs potential) to complement and ground existing research. Further, we extend the CAS framework by emphasizing agency and visible horizon of traditionally non-focal firms.
ISSN:09600035
1758664X
DOI:10.1108/IJPDLM-01-2024-0022