How Can Blockchain Technology Disrupt the Existing Business Models?

Witold Nowiński () and Miklós Kozma ()
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Witold Nowiński: Institute of Management, WSB University in Poznan, Poland
Miklós Kozma: Institute of Business Economics, Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary

Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, 2017, vol. 5, issue 3, 173-188

Abstract: Objective: The main purpose of the paper is to show that blockchain technology may disrupt the existing business models and to explore how this may occur. Research Design & Methods: This is a theory development paper which relies on a literature review and desk re-search. The discussion of the reviewed sources leads to the formulation of three re-search propositions. Findings: The paper provides a short overview of key literature on business models and business model innovation, indicating, among others, that new technologies may be one of the drivers of business model innovation. This study also provides an overview of blockchain technology and a range of its business applications showing how it can disrupt business models. It is shown that blockchain technology may affect many dimensions of business models. We propose that there are three crucial ways in which blockchain technology can affect and disrupt business models: by authenticating traded goods, via disintermediation and via lowering transaction costs. Implications & Recommendations: This study shows that blockchain technology may affect diverse dimensions of business models in diverse industries. It is recommended that mangers should follow developments in this field in order to prepare for possible disruptions in their industries. Contribution & Value Added: This study provides an analysis of the possible impact of blockchain technology on business model innovation. Blockchain technology is gaining momentum with more and more diverse applications, as well as increasing numbers of actors involved in its applications. This paper contributes to our understanding of the possible applications of blockchain technology to businesses, and in particular to its impact on business models.

Keywords: entrepreneurial mindset; entrepreneurial cognition; cognitive adaptability; cognitive tuning of mindsets; literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L10 L11 L14 L86 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (43)

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Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review is currently edited by Krzysztof Wach, PhD, hab.

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