The Effect of Blockchain Operation Capabilities on Competitive Performance in Supply Chain Management

Zhi-Peng Li, Hyi-Thaek Ceong and Sang-Joon Lee
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Zhi-Peng Li: Interdisciplinary Program of Digital Future Convergence Service, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
Hyi-Thaek Ceong: School of Culture Contents, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Korea
Sang-Joon Lee: Interdisciplinary Program of Digital Future Convergence Service, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-24

Abstract: Owing to blockchain characteristics such as transparency, traceability, and disintermediation, blockchain technology has been widely employed in sustainable supply chain management. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of blockchain technology in the supply chain. Although most companies have realized the importance of blockchain technology, they often lack understanding of how to plan, measure, cultivate, and improve their own blockchain operation capabilities. Academic research has insufficiently explored the connotations and internal structure of blockchain operation capabilities and does not provide a clear understanding of how to transform blockchain operation capabilities to produce effective performance. In this context, we proposed a concept of blockchain operation capabilities for first time. We took the perspectives of the resource-based view and sociomaterialism theory, based on IT capabilities, big data analysis capabilities, and existing blockchain supply chain research, and explored the relationship between blockchain operation capabilities and competitive performance. We then constructed a hierarchical model for blockchain operation capabilities. To test our proposed research model, we used an online survey to collect data from 1206 firm managers with blockchain technology supply chain experience. The results showed that blockchain operation capabilities has a positive impact on supply chain integration and competitive performance, while supply chain integration has a strong mediating effect on the blockchain operation capabilities and competitive performance relationship. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Keywords: blockchain operation capabilities; resource-based view; sociomaterialism theory; supply chain integration; sustainable supply chain management; competitive performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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