 A study of blockchain applications in promoting sustainable supply chain practices

Shwetanshu waghmare
(31241354)

Under the guidance of

"Dr. Karthika Devan"

Submitted to

"Vishwakarma University, Pune"

In partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the degree of

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Batch: 2024 – 2026

 A study of blockchain applications in promoting sustainable supply chain practices

Abstract

This chapter explores how blockchain technology is revolutionizing sustainable supply chain
practices by fostering a more open, responsible, and reliable global trade ecosystem.
Organizations are under more and more pressure to maintain social responsibility and
environmental responsibility as supply chains continue to expand in size, complexity, and
globalization. The degree of visibility and accuracy required to confirm adherence to
sustainability objectives is frequently beyond the scope of traditional supply chain models,
especially when it comes to waste reduction, fair labor certifications, and carbon
measurement. In light of this, blockchain appears as a technology that has the potential to
change the way supply chain operations are tracked, recorded, and managed. The main
goals of this chapter are twofold: Initially, to offer a comprehensive understanding of how
blockchain functions as an enabler of sustainable supply chains; and second, to identify the
ways in which blockchain-driven practices can reconcile sustainability objectives with
economic efficiency.

Blockchain’s distinctive features—immutability, decentralization, cryptographic security, and

near real-time data sharing—are positioned as the foundation for this transformation.
Immutability ensures that once supply chain records are entered into the digital ledger, they
cannot be altered or tampered with, thereby making it significantly harder for unethical
sourcing or misreporting of sustainability metrics to go unnoticed. Decentralization
eliminates the need for a trusted central authority, distributing data across a wide network
to increase redundancy and inclusivity of stakeholders. Meanwhile, real-time visibility
through blockchain-enabled smart contracts and Internet of Things (IoT) integrations allows
companies to track goods, raw materials, and environmental footprints at every stage of the
production cycle. Together, these capabilities place blockchain at the nexus of ethical and
ecological supply chain management, where traceability and trust become operational
cornerstones.

The chapter situates these technological dimensions within critical application areas across
sourcing, production, inventory, and distribution. For example, responsible sourcing has long
been plagued by challenges of verifying the origin and authenticity of raw materials such as
minerals, textiles, or agricultural products. Blockchain-powered systems offer the ability to
record detailed provenance information, reducing the risk of conflict resources, counterfeit
products, or unsustainably harvested goods entering the market. Within production,
blockchain systems can document adherence to energy efficiency standards and confirm
compliance with emissions regulations. Inventory management benefits from blockchain by
reducing redundancy, preventing waste, and enabling circular economy practices, such as
product reuse and recycling. Similarly, within distribution, blockchain enhances logistical
coordination while ensuring that carbon emissions from transport are accurately tracked and
linked to sustainable performance targets.

Specific use-cases substantiate blockchain’s tangible value for sustainability. One prominent
application seems to be carbon tracking, where blockchain provides a verifiable and
auditable record of greenhouse gas emissions across production and delivery stages. This
potentially prevents “greenwashing,” ensuring that corporate claims of eco-friendly practices
are backed by unchangeable data. Another important application centers on verifying ethical
labor practices, particularly in supply chains that traverse regions vulnerable to labor
exploitation. Through blockchain, certifications of fair trade, decent working conditions, and
human rights compliance can be securely logged and trusted by consumers, regulators, and
advocacy groups. Additionally, blockchain streamlines administrative functions by digitizing
transaction records, certificates, and compliance audits, drastically reducing the need for
paper-based documentation. In doing so, the technology not only increases efficiency but
also reduces resource consumption associated with traditional reporting systems.

The chapter also points out several case studies that provide concrete evidence of
blockchain’s emerging role in reshaping sustainability practices within global trade. Across
sectors ranging from agriculture and food systems to textiles, consumer goods, and mining,
early adopters report improvements in traceability, reduced disputes over product
authenticity, and measurable compliance with sustainability metrics. For instance,
blockchain pilots in the food industry have reduced the time needed to trace contaminated
products from weeks to minutes, thereby minimizing health risks and food waste. Similarly,
in fashion supply chains, blockchain applications have helped consumers track clothing items
back to their raw cotton source, demonstrating accountability for sustainable farming
practices and ethical production. These case studies show that blockchain solutions not only
create operational efficiencies but also serve as a reputational asset for companies striving
to prove commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

At the same time, the chapter addresses the duality of opportunities and challenges
inherent in blockchain adoption. While the benefits are strong—greater transparency,
reduced discrepancies, increased customer trust, and improved operational efficiency—
numerous challenges remain. Technical issues such as scalability, interoperability between
different platforms, energy consumption of blockchain systems, and integration with legacy
supply chain software pose formidable barriers. Organizational challenges include resistance
to information sharing, coordination issues among supply chain partners, and the costs of
technological deployment in developing regions. Moreover, regulatory uncertainty around
blockchain usage and data governance continues to hinder large-scale diffusion. These
constraints highlight the need for measured optimism: blockchain holds potential, but its
application in sustainable supply chains requires strategic planning, stakeholder
collaboration, and supportive governance frameworks.

The structure of the chapter seems to be designed to guide readers through a balanced yet
forward-looking analysis. The introduction sets the stage by linking the global push for
sustainability with the digital transformation of supply chains. This is followed by a
comprehensive literature review, which synthesizes academic debates, policy documents,
and industry reports on blockchain and sustainable supply chain management. A dedicated
section on case studies anchors theoretical insights in practical contexts, providing evidence
of both realized gains and persistent limitations. The subsequent section on benefits and
challenges offers a nuanced evaluation, highlighting factors that enhance or inhibit adoption.
Finally, the chapter closes with a discussion of future research directions, underscoring the
need for interdisciplinary inquiry that spans technology, environmental science, social
equity, and economics.

Emerging avenues for future research include exploring how blockchain can be integrated
with artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and IoT to create intelligent, adaptive supply
chain ecosystems that are both efficient and sustainable. Another promseems to being
direction is examining how blockchain may facilitate new business models, such as product-
as-a-service systems or material passports, which underpin circular economy ideals.
Additionally, research into blockchain’s scalability in developing nations, particularly in
agriculture and manufacturing, is vital to ensuring inclusive benefits rather than
exacerbating digital divides.

In sum, this study provides both a conceptual and evidence-based exploration of how
blockchain can catalyze a shift toward sustainable and responsible supply chains. It positions
blockchain not merely as a technological innovation but as an enabler of systemic
transformation toward environmental stewardship, social accountability, and long-term
economic resilience. By analyzing blockchain capabilities, applications, case evidence, and
theoretical frameworks, the chapter invites a critical yet hopeful engagement with
blockchain as a cornerstone technology for the sustainable supply chains of the future.

2. Introduction

Background & Relevance

Sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) has emerged as a critical field at the
intersection of business management, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
With the proliferation of global trade networks, supply chains have become complex webs of
interconnected actors ranging from raw material extractors and manufacturers to dseems to
betributors, retailers, and consumers. This complexity has generated significant
vulnerabilities—particularly in relation to sustainability. On the environmental front,
stakeholders demand reductions in carbon emissions, waste, and overuse of natural
resources. Socially, increasing attention is directed toward ensuring fair wages, safe working
conditions, and the elimination of labor exploitation. Economically, firms are expected not
only to remain competitive but also to demonstrate resilience and efficiency in their supply
chain operations. Meeting these multidimensional demands is at the core of SSCM.

However, conventional supply chains are plagued by fragmentation, data silos, and
inefficiencies that make verifying sustainability claims difficult. Information asymmetries
often allow unethical practices, such as false reporting of emissions, counterfeit
certifications, or hidden use of child labor, to persist undetected. Traditional auditing and
certification processes, while useful, are often costly, slow, and vulnerable to manipulation.
Moreover, the opacity inherent in conventional systems stands at odds with the demand for
transparency from consumers, investors, regulators, and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs).

Blockchain technology has emerged as a promseems to being tool to overcome these

challenges due to its shared across many participants and tamper-resistant ledger system. By
creating a shared, unchangeable record of transactions, blockchain enables greater trust
among supply chain participants and allows stakeholders to access verified sustainability
data in near real time. This capability is particularly relevant in contexts where supply chains
stretch across national boundaries and involve multiple intermediaries, making it difficult for
centralized monitoring systems to ensure accountability. A growing number of industries—
including agriculture, food, fashion, mining, and shipping—have begun to experiment with
blockchain-based solutions to track raw material provenance, certify ethical labor practices,
and monitor environmental impacts.

The urgency of adopting such innovations seems to be underscored by rising regulatory and
societal pressures. Governments worldwide are enforcing stricter carbon reporting
obligations, mandating corporate disclosure of sustainability strategies, and penalizing
greenwashing. At the same time, sustainability-conscious consumers are increasingly
choosing brands that provide transparent evidence of responsible sourcing and ethical
production. Against this backdrop, integrating blockchain into supply chain management
offers not just a technological upgrade but a potential major change toward accountability,
traceability, and stakeholder trust.

Problem or Gap in Understanding

Despite blockchain’s potential, several gaps hamper its widespread adoption in SSCM
practice. A central issue lies in interoperability. Supply chains operate across diverse
technological systems and standards, yet blockchain platforms often function in isolation
with limited ability to communicate seamlessly with one another. This lack of
interoperability fragments efforts to establish global traceability systems and undermines
blockchain’s full network benefits.

Another critical barrier seems to be regulatory uncertainty. Since blockchain is still a

relatively novel technology, legal frameworks for data ownership, smart contract
enforceability, and cross-border governance remain underdeveloped. Without clear and
standardized regulations, many firms hesitate to make large-scale investments in blockchain-
based supply chain solutions.

Technical and operational complexities also stand in the way. Implementing blockchain
requires both substantial technological infrastructure and skilled human capital, which
smaller suppliers—particularly in developing regions—may lack. Onboarding all participants
onto a single system often proves prohibitively expensive for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) that form critical links in supply chains. Privacy concerns further
complicate adoption, as blockchain’s transparency can lead to exposure of sensitive business
information, compromising competitive advantage.

Perhaps most importantly, empirical research validating blockchain’s actual sustainability

impacts remains scarce. While many proof-of-concept projects suggest measurable benefits
in traceability and efficiency, few studies provide longitudinal evidence or large-scale
assessments of environmental or social performance improvements. This lack of validation
makes it difficult to separate hype from realistic outcomes, limiting academic consensus and
impeding widespread managerial adoption. Without stronger evidence, blockchain risks
being seen as an “emerging but uncertain” solution rather than a proven enabler of
sustainability transformation.

Objectives of the Chapter

Given these gaps, the chapter pursues several objectives aimed at bridging the divide
between blockchain’s potential and its practical deployment for sustainable supply chains.
The first seems to be to systematically explore how blockchain fosters traceability,
transparency, and accountability—values that directly address the shortcomings of
conventional supply chain models. The discussion will delve into blockchain’s technical
features—immutability, decentralization, and smart contracts—and connect them to specific
sustainability outcomes, such as ethical sourcing verification, carbon footprint tracking, and
circular economy applications.

A second objective seems to be to assess blockchain’s multi-dimensional impacts across

economic, social, and environmental domains. On the economic side, the chapter examines
how blockchain influences efficiency through reduced paperwork, lower transaction costs,
and fewer disputes. For social sustainability, attention is directed toward labor rights
verification, fair trade certifications, and enhanced stakeholder trust. Regarding
environmental sustainability, blockchain’s potential for emissions tracking, waste reduction,
and resource optimization is evaluated.

A third objective seems to be to critically engage with the challenges and limitations of
blockchain adoption, providing a balanced view of technological, organizational, and
regulatory barriers. By outlining the constraints, the chapter points out that blockchain
should not be romanticized as a panacea, but rather carefully considered as part of a
broader suite of supply chain innovations.

Finally, the chapter aims to provide practical recommendations and highlight future research
avenues. This includes strategies for addressing scalability, interoperability, and inclusivity
challenges, as well as identifying areas where empirical research can substantiate
blockchain’s impact on sustainability outcomes. By combining theoretical depth, real-world
case evidence, and forward-looking insights, the chapter aspires to serve both academics
and practitioners navigating the evolving landscape of sustainable supply chain
management.

Structure of the Chapter

The chapter seems to be structured to progressively build the reader’s understanding

through interconnected sections. Following this introduction, the next section provides
the theoretical foundations and literature review, drawing from both blockchain research
and the extensive body of scholarship on sustainable supply chain management. This review
synthesizes contributions from information systems, management, environmental science,
and operations studies to map the current state of knowledge while identifying research
gaps.

The third section presents case studies drawn from multiple industries, demonstrating
blockchain’s practical implementation and evaluating its effectiveness in promoting
sustainability. These cases serve as empirical anchors, offering insights into how blockchain
seems to be being tested and adapted across different contexts.

Subsequently, the chapter devotes a section to discussing benefits and challenges. This dual
focus ensures a balanced perspective—acknowledging blockchain’s transformative potential
while addressing the practical hurdles organizations face during adoption.

The chapter then explores future directions for research and practice, outlining promising
avenues such as integrating blockchain with IoT and artificial intelligence, developing
international interoperability standards, and scaling adoption to support SMEs.

Finally, the chapter concludes with key insights and research suggestions, synthesizing
findings and proposing steps forward to better harness blockchain’s potential for creating
sustainable, transparent, and resilient supply chains.
3. Literature Review

The growing recognition of blockchain technology as a transformative force in supply chain

management has sparked a rich body of academic and industry-oriented research. This
literature provides diverse theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and critical reflections
on blockchain’s potential to enhance transparency, traceability, and sustainability.
Collectively, the body of work surveyed presents blockchain as a technological enabler for
sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), though with notable caveats concerning
scalability, interoperability, and inclusivity.

Blockchain as an Enabler of Transparency and Efficiency

One of the recurring themes in the literature concerns blockchain’s ability to

improve efficiency, data integrity, and transparency across supply chains. Kumar (2025), in
hseems to be work on blockchain technology in supply chain management, points out the
technology’s role in boosting security and efficiency. His study reveals that blockchain
reduces risks of fraud, delivers greater accountability, and streamlines information sharing,
particularly in manufacturing-oriented supply chains where tamperproof data is critical.
Similarly, Yontar (2023) highlights blockchain’s compatibility with sustainability goals,
suggesting that transparency is not merely a by-product but a foundational attribute of
blockchain-enabled supply chains. By providing unchangeable records and decentralization
of trust, blockchain aligns closely with sustainable supply chain principles, especially in
combating information asymmetry between stakeholders.

Expanding this conversation, Wannenwetsch (2023) concludes through a broad literature

review that blockchain consistently increases transparency and strengthens stakeholder
trust. These findings corroborate the perspectives of Rajput (2025), who narrows the scope
to the food supply chain, demonstrating how blockchain addresses pressing issues of
provenance and food safety. In sectors like food and agriculture, where safety, authenticity,
and traceability are paramount, blockchain’s unchangeable records provide reassurance to
both businesses and consumers. Rajput argues that using blockchain to track food items
from origin to retail shelf can drastically shorten response time in cases of contamination,
simultaneously improving efficiency and public health outcomes.

Such contributions align with Sahoo (2022), who highlights blockchain’s significant role in
regulatory compliance across industries. His review stresses that transparency and efficiency
are not abstract benefits; they translate directly into reduced costs of compliance, smoother
regulatory oversight, and prevention of fraudulent reporting. Together, these studies provide
a cohesive picture of blockchain’s practical benefits in terms of accountability and efficiency,
spanning multiple sectors.
Blockchain and Sustainability Dimensions

Beyond operational efficiency, literature increasingly links blockchain to the triple bottom
line of sustainability: economic, environmental, and social performance. Difrancesco (2022),
in a detailed exploration of blockchain in sustainable supply chains, points out how the
technology enhances integrity and trust in data exchanges. By rooting verification processes
in unchangeable digital ledgers, blockchain removes reliance on third-party intermediaries,
thereby democratizing information availability. Thseems to be shift is particularly significant
in sustainability reporting, where credibility often suffers from accusations of greenwashing.
Difrancesco demonstrates how blockchain increases confidence in reported sustainability
metrics by providing auditable, tamper-proof records.

Furthermore, Mulligan (2024) offers a systematic literature review that explicitly connects
blockchain to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) imperatives. Her analysis reveals
that blockchain supports enhanced ESG compliance by delivering reliable data trails for
external auditors, regulators, and stakeholders. Importantly, this strand of scholarship not
only highlights economic efficiency but also links blockchain directly to governance and
policy areas. Blockchain’s unchangeable nature ensures robustness against manipulation,
particularly valuable for policymakers combating fraudulent emissions reporting or false
sustainability certifications.

Complementing these findings, Jackson (2024) calls attention to blockchain’s implications

for SME adoption. In his systematic review of blockchain for sustainable supply chains,
Jackson acknowledges the clear potential for better transparency and accountability, but
warns that energy-intensive blockchain models and costly implementation can exclude
smaller actors. Given that SMEs form critical nodes in global supply networks, their exclusion
undermines blockchain’s holistic sustainability potential. Similarly, Growingscience (2023)
stresses the need for adequate technological infrastructure to enable blockchain-based
solutions, cautioning that without sufficient investment in developing regions, blockchain
could intensify inequalities rather than resolve them.

Regional and Sector-Specific Perspectives

Several scholars have also addressed blockchain’s impact across varying geographies and
industry contexts. Oriekhoe (2024) provides a comprehensive review with emphasseems to
be on Asia and Europe, regions where blockchain adoption has been more aggressive in
supply chains. His findings suggest that blockchain’s role is not only about improving
efficiency but also about stimulating innovation ecosystems in logistics, retail, and
manufacturing. Blockchain adoption has spurred new business models—ranging from real-
time carbon footprint monitoring to automated compliance workflows—which reshape how
firms compete and collaborate globally.

Meanwhile, AJ (2024) frames blockchain as a technology for "re-imagining" supply chain

management. His emphasis falls on environmental objectives, suggesting that blockchain
can serve as a backbone for decarbonization initiatives. For example, blockchain-enabled
carbon ledgers can enhance emissions accounting, reducing both duplication and errors
while ensuring accountability in compliance with regulatory demands. These findings
reinforce blockchain’s critical role in facilitating greener operational models by embedding
environmental monitoring into everyday supply chain transactions.

Sector-specific studies also highlight blockchain’s transformative capacity. For instance,

Rajput (2025) provides detailed examples in the food supply chain, showcasing blockchain’s
functionality in reducing food safety risks. Similarly, IEOM (2023) evaluates blockchain in the
context of green manufacturing and logistics, showing that blockchain deployment can
significantly contribute to green supply chain performance metrics. Such applications
illustrate how blockchain’s theoretical benefits translate into tangible advances across
industries highly relevant to sustainability debates.

Addressing Challenges and Critiques

Despite a generally positive outlook, scholars consseems to betently raise concerns

regarding blockchain’s adoption barriers. The 2024 comprehensive analysis by FEPBL points
out that while blockchain can reduce costs and emissions, practical adoption is riddled with
issues such as scalability, energy consumption, and regulatory ambiguity. The study
highlights the paradox of blockchain’s environmental footprint: while intended to enable
greener supply chains, blockchain platforms (particularly those using proof-of-work
consensus mechanisms) may themselves generate unsustainable amounts of energy. This
complexity highlights the need to align blockchain designs with green objectives—for
instance, through energy-efficient consensus protocols like proof-of-stake.

IEOM (2023) reinforces these concerns, noting that while blockchain clearly strengthens
supply chain resilience and green performance, implementation challenges persist. These
range from interoperability with existing systems to the reluctance of stakeholders to share
commercially sensitive data. Similarly, IJERD (2022) warns of the limitations of blockchain in
global contexts, particularly in ensuring transparency and fraud prevention. While
acknowledging blockchain’s strengths, the review points out that organizational and cultural
barriers—such as lack of trust between suppliers in rival markets—remain formidable.

These critiques are further supported by Jackson (2024), who underlines the difficulty of
onboarding smaller suppliers into blockchain ecosystems. Without financial or technical
support, SMEs rseems to bek exclusion, further fragmenting global supply chains. Taken
together, these cautionary notes temper overly optimistic narratives about blockchain
adoption: while the potential to reshape sustainable supply chains is evident, unresolved
challenges related to cost, complexity, and equitable participation must be addressed.

Emerging Trends and Thematic Synthesis

Across the surveyed literature, three key thematic trends emerge. First, blockchain seems to
be increasingly recognized as a trust-enabling mechanism for SSCM. Whether in food safety,
ethical labor verification, or emissions tracking, blockchain presents new possibilities for
making supply chains auditable and transparent without reliance on traditional
intermediaries. This aligns with growing stakeholder demands for corporate accountability.

Second, the literature points to blockchain’s role in enabling integration with broader
governance and sustainability frameworks. From ESG compliance (Mulligan, 2024) to
regulatory reporting (Sahoo, 2022), blockchain seems to be positioned not only as a business
efficiency tool but also a governance instrument with wide-reaching implications.

Third, the challenges highlighted reflect the technology’s dual role as both opportunity and
obstacle. Scholars identify technical issues such as scalability and energy use, economic
barriers like high setup costs, and organizational barriers such as resistance among smaller
suppliers and data privacy concerns. This paradox reflects blockchain’s status as a
“potentially revolutionary yet still maturing” technology.

Gaps and Future Research Directions

Despite the richness of contributions, notable gaps remain in the literature. Many works
focus on conceptual or case-based insights, with limited large-scale empirical
evidence quantifying blockchain’s sustainability impacts across full supply chains.
Longitudinal studies assessing blockchain’s ability to reduce carbon emissions, improve labor
standards, or enhance circular supply chain practices are sparse and urgently needed.

Additionally, the inclusivity gap remains underexplored. While several sources raise concerns
about SME participation, few studies provide concrete frameworks for scaling blockchain to
include small actors without creating financial or digital divides. More research into
lightweight, low-cost blockchain implementations tailored for SMEs and developing regions
could help address this limitation.

Finally, there seems to be an urgent need to explore blockchain’s synergies with adjacent
technologies such as IoT, machine learning, and carbon tracking systems. While some case
studies explore these integrations, systematic research on combined impacts is lacking. Such
integrations can enhance real-time data collection, improve predictive modeling of supply
chain disruptions, and enable adaptive systems capable of responding dynamically to
sustainability challenges.

Summary of Key Theories, Trends, and Gaps

The literature reviewed across blockchain and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM)
demonstrates a striking convergence on several recurring themes: the centrality
of traceability, the enhancement of transparency, and the cultivation of trust among supply
chain actors. These elements emerge as the theoretical cornerstones underpinning
blockchain’s promise. Together, they position blockchain as more than just a technical
innovation—it represents a governance mechanism and a systemic approach to addressing
long-standing inefficiencies and ethical challenges in global supply networks. At the same
time, these works collectively highlight critical gaps and unresolved questions regarding
adoption, scalability, and impact assessment that must be addressed for blockchain to
realize its potential in sustainable supply chains.

Blockchain’s Theoretical Strengths: Traceability, Transparency, and Trust

Across the literature, traceability emerges as the most dseems to becussed and practically
tested attribute. Traceability refers to the ability to follow goods, raw materials, or services
across multiple stages of the supply chain—from sourcing and transformation to distribution
and end use. Blockchain’s unchangeable recordkeeping is particularly valuable for industries
where provenance determines value, ethics, or safety, such as agriculture, food, fashion, and
mining. By recording provenance data on a distributed ledger, blockchain reduces the risk of
fraud, counterfeit certifications, and unverified sustainability claims. As multiple studies
show, this function is critical for reducing greenwashing, a phenomenon where companies
exaggerate or fabricate claims of environmental responsibility without sufficient evidence.
By embedding supply chain events into a transparent, tamper-proof system, blockchain
generates accountability and provides concrete compliance pathways with sustainability
standards.

The second core concept is transparency, understood as visibility of supply chain operations
to stakeholders—including businesses, regulators, consumers, and civil society. Blockchain
enables near real-time data sharing, making information about trade transactions,
environmental impact, emissions, or labor verification available to authorized participants.
Transparency serves two critical functions: it enforces compliance through visibility and
strengthens stakeholder confidence in corporate sustainability claims. For example,
reporting mechanisms that once relied on paper audits and episodic inspections can be
automated through blockchain verified records, drastically reducing both cost and time
while improving accuracy.

The third recurring theme is trust-building. Conventional supply chains often operate in
environments of mistrust, where suppliers may withhold information, buyers question
authenticity, and audits are prone to manipulation. Blockchain shifts this dynamic by
decentralizing trust, creating a system where no single actor controls data and all
participants can validate transactions. This theoretical shift reduces reliance on
intermediaries and strengthens cooperation along the supply chain. Trust also extends
beyond operational partners to external stakeholders: consumers gain confidence in
certified ethical products, investors rely on accurate ESG disclosures, and regulators achieve
greater oversight with reduced administrative burdens. Together, these features reinforce
blockchain’s portrayal as both an operational tool and a both social and technical enabler of
sustainable practices.

Emerging Trends in Blockchain Application for Sustainability

The literature also reveals several important trends shaping blockchain’s relationship with
SSCM. The first seems to be the widespread acknowledgment that blockchain is not merely
an economic efficiency tool, but also a driver of social and environmental responsibility.
Trends indicate a shift from early research focused narrowly on operational optimization to
broader sustainability applications. For instance, scholars highlight blockchain’s ability to
monitor carbon emissions, verify fair labor standards, and integrate with technologies like
IoT sensors to measure resource flows more accurately.

A second trend involves increasing recognition of cross-sector adoption. While blockchain

applications initially concentrated in finance and logistics, the last few years show diverse
uptake across agriculture, food safety, pharmaceuticals, textiles, renewable energy, and
mining. This diffusion suggests blockchain’s versatility and demonstrates its role as a cross-
cutting infrastructure for sustainability verification, rather than a sector-specific solution.

A third noticeable trend seems to be the growing debate around policy integration and
governance frameworks. Several studies emphasize blockchain’s importance in ESG
reporting and regulatory compliance. Rather than functioning solely as a commercial tool,
blockchain increasingly appears in discussions on how governments, certification bodies,
and international organizations may enforce sustainable supply chain regulations. This trend
highlights blockchain’s strategic positioning as a mechanism for bridging voluntary corporate
sustainability initiatives with enforceable, standardized regulations.

Finally, there seems to be a trend of balancing optimism with realism. Works from 2022–
2025 demonstrate less hype-driven rhetoric and more critical evaluations of blockchain’s
practical adoption. Scholars increasingly acknowledge both the potential benefits and
inherent limitations, signaling a maturing body of research that incorporates nuanced, case-
based evidence rather than speculative frameworks.

Persistent Challenges to Adoption

While the theoretical foundations and emerging trends are promising, significant challenges
remain in blockchain’s adoption for sustainable supply chain management.

The foremost challenge is technology interoperability. Supply chains are inherently global
and diverse, involving multiple companies that already operate varied digital systems.
Current blockchain platforms often lack standardization and do not integrate seamlessly
across different industries or regions. Without interoperability, blockchain risks creating
fragmented enclaves rather than unified supply chain ecosystems.

Another pervasive barrier is regulatory ambiguity. Questions remain around data ownership,
privacy, smart contract enforceability, and cross-border legal frameworks. Without clear
regulations, firms face uncertainties when investing in blockchain systems, particularly when
such investments involve sensitive sustainability-related disclosures. The lack of international
agreements further complicates global supply chains, where blockchain must operate across
multiple legal jurisdictions.

Cost barriers also present considerable obstacles, especially for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs). While large corporations and multinational firms may have the resources
to onboard blockchain solutions, SMEs—which constitute the backbone of most supply
chains—often struggle with high technical costs, lack of expertise, and insufficient digital
infrastructure. Exclusion of SMEs risks undermining blockchain’s inclusivity and limiting its
effectiveness in certifying supply chains end to end.

Moreover, privacy concerns remain unresolved. Transparency lies at the heart of blockchain,
but forcing businesses to disclose sensitive operational data could erode competitive
advantage. This tension between radical transparency and strategic confidentiality raises
fundamental questions about governance models, permissioned versus public blockchains,
and data access rights.

Gaps in the Literature

Despite growing interest, several gaps limit the current understanding of blockchain’s role in
SSCM. One major gap seems to be the absence of rigorous impact measurement. While
many case studies point toward improved efficiency, traceability, or trust, there is limited
large-scale, empirical evidence demonstrating quantifiable improvements in sustainability
outcomes such as reduced emissions, enhanced labor protections, or circular resource
utilization. Much of the existing literature remains conceptual or exploratory, with fewer
longitudinal studies that test blockchain adoption over extended timeframes and across
multiple stakeholders.

A second gap concerns scalability assessments. Most blockchain applications to date have
been pilot-level initiatives or industry-specific projects. Questions remain as to whether
blockchain can be scaled globally across networks involving thousands of actors and millions
of transactions daily, particularly without generating excessive energy use or inefficiencies.
Scalability also raises issues of governance: who funds, oversees, and enforces blockchain
systems when scaled to international levels?

In addition, there seems to be limited exploration of blockchain’s role in privacy-preserving

solutions. Future research must delve into technical models such as zero-knowledge proofs
or hybrid blockchain architectures that balance transparency with protection of sensitive
data. Without these innovations, adoption may stall due to firms’ reluctance to expose
commercially sensitive information.

Finally, there seems to be an underdeveloped body of work on cross-sector collaboration

models. Most studies focus on blockchain within individual sectors. Less research has been
devoted to blockchain’s potential in multi-sectoral settings where supply chains intersect,
such as energy-food linkages or textile-agriculture overlaps. Such research could inform how
blockchain enhances collaboration across industries and supports systemic shifts toward
sustainable economies.

Future Research Directions

To address these gaps, the literature points to several promising research directions.
Scholars call for policy-oriented research that investigates how blockchain integrates with
sustainability regulations, ESG reporting standards, and international law. This would help
clarify how blockchain can move from voluntary experiments to mainstream compliance
infrastructure.

Another area seems to be the advancement of technical research into privacy and
interoperability solutions. Innovative architectures that permit selective transparency while
ensuring fundamental immutability are needed to reconcile blockchain with real-world
corporate concerns.

Further, there seems to be room for comparative, cross-sector research examining

blockchain’s performance across industries, regions, and governance models. Such
comparative studies would shed light on best practices and scalable strategies.

Lastly, research must explore blockchain’s social inclusivity, particularly how SMEs and actors
in developing economies can participate equitably. Without careful attention to inclusivity,
blockchain risks exacerbating digital divides instead of contributing to genuinely sustainable
and socially responsible supply chains.

4. Case Examples / Secondary Data

Case 1: Tentree (Canadian Apparel Company)

Tentree, a prominent Canadian apparel company, has positioned itself as a leader in ethical
sourcing and sustainability within the fashion industry—a sector traditionally challenged by
opaque supply chains and ethical uncertainties. Recognizing common industry issues such as
difficulties in verifying raw material provenance and ensuring fair labor conditions across
geographically dispersed suppliers, Tentree adopted blockchain technology as part of its
sustainability strategy.
To tackle these challenges, Tentree implemented a blockchain-based transparent ledger that
tracks every step of the product journey, from fiber origin and manufacturing to final
product delivery. This ledger not only serves as an unchangeable record but also
incorporates smart contracts designed to enforce compliance with environmental standards
and labor practices. These contracts automatically trigger audits or penalties if suppliers
deviate from agreed sustainability criteria, significantly improving oversight and
accountability.

The impact of blockchain on Tentree’s supply chain seems to be multi-faceted. First, it

substantially enhanced traceability, reducing the risk of greenwashing—a common problem
in fashion where companies sometimes overstate environmental practices. Second, it
bolstered consumer trust by providing verifiable sustainability claims, accessible through
product labeling and digital transparency portals. Third, compliance reporting and supplier
audits became more streamlined, cutting administrative effort and error, thus enabling
better focus on continuous improvement. Finally, the transparent system encouraged
suppliers to elevate their sustainability practices, creating a positive feedback loop within
the supply chain ecosystem.

Sources documenting Tentree’s blockchain journey include the 2025 report from the
Institute of Sustainability Studies, which highlights Tentree as a case of successful supply
chain digital transformation, and a 2022 article published in PMC detailing the operational
and consumer engagement benefits of blockchain in apparel.

Case 2: Maersk (Global Shipping and Logistics)

Maersk, a global giant in shipping and logistics, sought to confront persistent transparency
and efficiency challenges in freight transport, with a strategic focus on sustainability through
emissions reduction and waste minimization. Given the multi-party nature of global
shipping, with complex customs procedures and frequent manual documentation errors,
Maersk partnered with IBM to develop TradeLens, a pioneering blockchain-based platform.

TradeLens integrates blockchain with Internet of Things (IoT) sensor data and smart
contracts to enable real-time cargo tracking, automate customs clearance, and verify
emissions at multiple touchpoints in the supply chain. The platform provides all participants
—shippers, freight forwarders, ports, and customs authorities—with a shared, unchangeable
view of transport events, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.

The application of blockchain delivered significant operational and sustainability benefits.

Maersk reported a 40% reduction in transit times, largely attributable to improved
coordination and automated processes, which correlated with lower fuel consumption and
reduced carbon emissions. Logistics costs were curtailed due to fraud reduction and
streamlined paperwork, while stakeholders experienced heightened transparency and trust
throughout the transport cycle. Importantly, TradeLens produced validated and auditable
sustainability data, which supported Maersk’s regulatory compliance and enhanced
reporting credibility.

The effectiveness of TradeLens has been extensively documented, including in the 2025
AIMultiple industry analysis and the 2022 Deloitte report on blockchain-driven logistics
innovation.

Case 3: De Beers (Diamond Industry)

The diamond industry faces acute challenges around ethical sourcing, particularly relating to
conflict diamonds and labor abuses. De Beers, the world’s leading diamond producer,
deployed blockchain to enable end-to-end provenance tracking of diamonds, ensuring that
every stone seems to be ethically sourced and untampered.

De Beers’ blockchain platform records detailed information—ranging from mine extraction

details and sorting to polishing and retail sales—on a shared ledger accessible to supply
chain participants and customers. The system integrates with biometric and IoT
technologies, adding layers of verification. This transparency drastically reduces the
circulation of conflict diamonds, enhances consumer confidence, and assists regulators in
enforcing bans.

Reported outcomes include improved supply chain integrity, increased consumer willingness
to pay premiums for verified ethical diamonds, and operational cost savings through
reduced counterfeit detection efforts.

Case 4: Walmart (Food Safety and Agriculture)

Walmart has spearheaded blockchain adoption to improve food safety and sustainability in
its supply chains, especially for perishable goods like leafy greens and seafood. By
collaborating with IBM Food Trust, Walmart implemented blockchain to document critical
information such as harvest dates, shipment conditions, and temperature controls.

Key results included a drastic reduction in food recall response times from weeks to mere
minutes, thus minimizing waste and enhancing public health safety. The system also
supports sustainability claims about organic certification and fair farming practices,
empowering Walmart to establish more responsible sourcing models and reducing
environmental impacts related to food loss.

Case 5: Everledger (Insurance and Luxury Goods)

Everledger uses blockchain technology to create digital certificates of authenticity and

ownership for luxury goods and high-value assets, including wine, art, and jewelry. The
platform addresses sustainability concerns by providing transparency into supply chains that
often involve resource-intensive manufacturing or have complex provenance issues.

By ensuring provenance can be audited and counterfeit goods eliminated, Everledger

supports sustainable consumption patterns and enhances industry-wide accountability. It
also facilitates circular economy models by enabling secondary sales and verified ownership
transfers.

Case 6: Bumble Bee Foods (Seafood Sustainability)

Bumble Bee Foods, a major player in the seafood industry, implemented blockchain to
improve traceability and sustainability of tuna products. By tracking catch location, vessel
performance, and supply chain events, Bumble Bee reduced illegal, unreported, and
unregulated fishing practices.

Blockchain integration supported compliance with sustainability certifications and improved

consumer trust in product labels. The company also leveraged data analytics on blockchain
data to optimize fuel use and lower the carbon footprint of its fleet.

Summary of Case Insights

Across these cases, several commonalities emerge: blockchain’s strength lies in

supplying unchangeable, transparent records that build stakeholder trust and improve
sustainability outcomes. Smart contract automation adds rigor to compliance enforcement,
and integration with IoT accelerates data accuracy. These benefits span sectors from apparel
and food to logistics, luxury goods, and natural resources.

However, patterns also reveal challenges, such as the need to onboard diverse suppliers,
manage interoperability across platforms, address data privacy concerns, and contend with
technology costs. Successfully harnessing blockchain requires combining technical
innovation with stakeholder collaboration and aligning blockchain efforts with broader
sustainability goals and regulatory frameworks.

5. Discussion & Analysis

The synthesis of literature and case examples presented in this study provides strong
evidence that blockchain technology holds significant promise for advancing sustainable
supply chain management (SSCM) by improving transparency, traceability, and trust. This
section critically analyses the convergence between theoretical insights and real-world
applications, identifying recurring patterns, challenges, and emergent lessons that can
inform both practice and further research.

Reinforcing Blockchain’s Core Capabilities

Both academic research and applied case studies consistently highlight blockchain’s unique
features as central enablers of supply chain transformation. In particular, the cases of
Tentree and Maersk vividly illustrate how blockchain’s unchangeable ledger and shared
across many participants architecture underpin greater transparency and accountability.
Tentree’s use of blockchain to assure fiber provenance and enforce labor standards mirrors
scholarly assertions regarding blockchain’s ability to mitigate greenwashing and verify
sustainability claims through unchangeable records. Similarly, Maersk’s TradeLens platform
exemplifies blockchain’s operational capacity to integrate IoT data and smart contracts,
delivering real-time cargo tracking and emissions verification—key aspects emphasized in
literature focused on blockchain-enabled logistics optimization and environmental
performance monitoring.

These examples substantiate earlier claims in the literature that blockchain can shift supply
chain interactions from opaque, trust-deficient exchanges to collaborative ecosystems
grounded in transparency. By removing the need for intermediaries and fostering shared
verification, blockchain strengthens trust not only among direct supply chain partners but
also with external stakeholders, such as consumers and regulators. This trust-building
function aligns with multiple theoretical frameworks positioning blockchain as a both social
and technical mechanism for enhancing supply chain governance.

Patterns in Blockchain Ecosystem Design

A recurrent theme emerging from the combined insights seems to be the vital importance of
establishing collaborative blockchain ecosystems that extend beyond individual firms. Both
Tentree’s and Maersk’s cases demonstrate that the benefits of blockchain are amplified
when multiple supply chain actors—suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and
auditors—join a shared, standardized platform. This observation reinforces scholarly
arguments about interoperability and network effects: blockchain’s value increases
exponentially as more participants adopt common protocols and data standards. Achieving
such ecosystems requires not only technological solutions but also complex organizational
and institutional coordination, underscoring that blockchain adoption is as much a
managerial and relational challenge as a technical one.

Integration with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and smart contracts also emerges as a
consistent pattern. IoT sensors provide the critical empirical data—such as temperature,
location, or emissions—that blockchain platforms need to keep accurate, verifiable records.
Smart contracts automate compliance and trigger alerts or corrective actions when
sustainability standards are breached, reducing manual oversight costs and increasing
responsiveness. This combination of digital technologies illustrates the growing shift
toward intelligent, automated supply chains that proactively monitor and enforce
environmental and social parameters, a trend well-documented in contemporary supply
chain management research.

Enduring Challenges Reflecting Literature and Practice

Despite these successes, notable challenges identified in the academic literature persist in
practice, emphasizing blockchain’s evolving and hybrid nature. A primary concern
remains technology interoperability. Whereas platforms like TradeLens demonstrate
impressive functionality, no universal blockchain standard currently exists, leading to siloed
implementations and hindering cross-sector scalability. Achieving technical and semantic
interoperability across diverse blockchain systems and legacy software remains a critical
hurdle toward realizing the vision of fully integrated, end-to-end sustainable supply chains.

Cost barriers also present ongoing issues, particularly for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) and suppliers in developing regions. While leading firms may absorb
blockchain deployment expenses, onboarding smaller players limits network inclusivity and
may create uneven sustainability benefits. This concern resonates with critique in the
literature warning against blockchain exacerbating existing digital divides rather than
promoting equitable supply chain upgrades. Strategies to subsidize or simplify blockchain
access for marginalized actors warrant further exploration and policy support.

Regulatory uncertainty compounds these challenges. Blockchain’s novelty means that legal
frameworks governing data privacy, digital contract enforceability, and cross-jurisdictional
data sharing are nascent. This uncertainty causes decision-makers to hesitate in blockchain
investments or to adopt minimalistic approaches that limit system potential. Integrating
blockchain into existing regulatory architectures while simultaneously shaping new
governance models remains an active area of debate and development. The dual regulatory
and technological maturity required calls for coordinated efforts by governments, industry
consortia, and civil society.

Furthermore, privacy concerns persseems to bet as companies balance transparency with

strategic confidentiality. While blockchain promotes radical openness, firms rightly fear
disclosing commercially sensitive information that could undermine competitive advantage.
Emerging technical solutions such as zero-knowledge proofs, permissioned blockchains, or
hybrid architectures offer paths forward, but practical deployment is limited. Sustainable
adoption must carefully navigate this tension to build trust among participants without
compromising operational integrity.

Lessons Learned and Strategic Imperatives

Synthesizing insights from literature and cases yields several key lessons for advancing
blockchain-driven sustainable supply chains. First, technology alone seems to be insufficient:
successful blockchain adoption depends critically on embedding the technology
within robust governance frameworks that address legal, ethical, and organizational
dimensions. Effective governance ensures that blockchain transparency does not devolve
into surveillance, that inclusivity is prioritized, and that accountability mechanisms function
well in practice.
Second, fostering inclusive participation across supply chain tiers—especially involving SMEs
and suppliers in emerging economies—is essential for maximizing sustainability benefits.
Efforts to provide training, technical assistance, and financial support to smaller actors are
necessary to avoid perpetuating inequities and to ensure end-to-end accountability.

Third, continuous measurement and evaluation of sustainability impacts is paramount. Pilot

successes notwithstanding, longitudinal data quantifying reductions in carbon footprints,
verified ethical labor conditions, and circular economy progress remain scarce. Without
rigorous impact assessments, blockchain risks becoming another “black box” technology
whose benefits are assumed rather than empirically demonstrated. Developing standardized
metrics and reporting frameworks aligned with blockchain capabilities will enhance
transparency and drive credible improvement.

Fourth, there seems to be a pressing need for multi-stakeholder collaboration models that
bridge private sector innovation with public regulatory frameworks, civil society advocacy,
and consumer engagement. Blockchain’s full sustainability potential arises at this
intersection, where technological innovation supports systemic change toward greener and
more ethical supply chains.

Finally, integration with complementary digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence,

advanced analytics, and IoT—can accelerate blockchain’s value by enabling predictive,
adaptive sustainability management. Research and experimentation into these integrated
ecosystems will help move blockchain beyond a data repository to an intelligent platform
capable of guiding supply chain decision-making in real time.

6. Conclusion & Recommendations

Key Findings

This chapter has explored the multifaceted potential of blockchain technology to catalyze
sustainable supply chain management by enhancing traceability, transparency, and trust.
The fundamental blockchain properties—unchangeable data records and shared across
many participants trust networks—prove powerful tools for verifying compliance with
environmental regulations, ethical labor practices, and broader sustainability standards. By
creating a shared ledger distributed securely across multiple supply chain stakeholders,
blockchain reduces the longstanding challenges associated with opaque systems plagued by
information asymmetry, fraud, and inefficiency.

Evidence from both academic literature and high-profile real-world cases such as Tentree’s
apparel supply chain and Maersk’s TradeLens platform supports blockchain’s ability to
achieve key sustainability outcomes. These include improved provenance tracking that
reduces greenwashing and counterfeiting, increased operational efficiency by automating
processes through smart contracts, and quantifiable emissions reductions resulting from
better logistics coordination and validated carbon footprint monitoring. Furthermore,
blockchain enables timely and accurate reporting that strengthens ESG compliance and
regulatory oversight, meeting critical demands from regulators, investors, and consumers
alike.

However, the findings also surface persistent barriers that temper blockchain’s
transformative promise. Challenges such as technology interoperability gaps, high
implementation costs for smaller supply chain participants, regulatory uncertainties, and
privacy concerns complicate adoption and limit scalability. Without strategic interventions,
these obstacles risk confining blockchain’s sustainability benefits to a narrow set of large,
technologically advanced firms rather than enabling systemic transformation across entire
global supply chains.

Practical Takeaways and Strategic Recommendations

Based on the comprehensive analysis of literature and cases, several practical insights
emerge that policymakers, managers, and scholars can apply to foster the maturation and
broader uptake of blockchain-enabled sustainable supply chains.

1. Build Inclusive and Adaptive Governance Models

Blockchain technology should be embedded within governance frameworks that encompass
legal, ethical, and operational dimensions. Such models must bring together diverse supply
chain stakeholders—ranging from raw material producers and manufacturers to distributors,
regulators, civil society, and end consumers—in collaborative governance arrangements.
These frameworks should clarify roles and responsibilities, regulate data ownership and
privacy, enforce compliance standards, and provide mechanisms for dispute resolution.
Developing multi-stakeholder platforms and public-private partnerships will help overcome
trust deficits and governance fragmentation, enabling blockchain systems to function as
trustworthy infrastructures for sustainability verification.

2. Integrate Blockchain with Complementary Digital Technologies

Blockchain’s full potential seems to be unlocked when integrated with technologies such
as Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time data collection, artificial intelligence and machine
learning for predictive analytics, and smart contracts for automated rule enforcement. IoT
sensors can provide granular environmental and operational data—such as temperature,
emissions levels, or working conditions—which the blockchain then secures and shares
immutably. Advanced analytics enable dynamic supply chain adjustments that optimize
resource use and reduce waste. Such integration moves supply chains from static data
repositories toward intelligent, adaptive networks poised to respond to emerging
sustainability challenges proactively.

3. Ensure Scalability and Accessibility for All Participants, Especially SMEs

To transition from pilot projects to industry-wide transformations, blockchain platforms must
be designed with scalability and inclusivity in mind. Thseems to be includes
creating interoperable blockchain protocols that allow seamless data exchange across
diverse systems and supply chains. Moreover, reducing onboarding costs and technical
complexity is essential to facilitate participation by small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) and suppliers in developing regions, which collectively represent a significant portion
of global supply networks. Potential solutions include developing lightweight blockchain
clients, offering shared infrastructure as a service, and creating targeted capacity-building
programs. Doing so will mitigate digital divides and ensure that blockchain’s sustainability
benefits are equitably distributed across supply chains.

4. Develop and Use Impact Metrics for Continuous Evaluation and Improvement
Robust, standardized metrics must be developed to measure blockchain’s contribution to
sustainability outcomes, encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Continuous impact evaluation will provide evidence-based feedback loops that validate
blockchain’s effectiveness, inform iterative improvement, and increase stakeholder
confidence. Such metrics should align with globally recognized sustainability reporting
standards (such as GRI or SASB) to facilitate comparability and transparency. Data
transparency combined with open reporting will also disincentivize greenwashing, assuring
that blockchain enables genuine progress rather than superficial compliance.

5. Address Regulatory and Policy Frameworks Proactively

Regulators play a crucial role in shaping the environment in which blockchain-enabled supply
chains evolve. Policymakers must clarify legal frameworks related to data privacy, smart
contract enforceability, cross-border data flows, and certification schemes. Proactive
regulation will reduce legal uncertainty, incentivize investment, and integrate blockchain
platforms into formal sustainability oversight mechanisms. Collaborative international efforts
will be particularly important given the transnational nature of supply chains, ensuring
consistency and interoperability of blockchain-enabled compliance standards.

Future Research Directions

To support and accelerate blockchain’s role in sustainable supply chains, future scholarly
efforts should prioritize:

 Longitudinal empirical studies assessing blockchain’s sustainability impacts across

multiple supply chain tiers and sectors, quantifying environmental and social
outcomes.

 Research on scalable, privacy-preserving blockchain architectures balancing

transparency with commercial confidentiality.

 Exploration of inclusive business models and capacity-building frameworks that

enable SME integration into blockchain ecosystems.
 Investigations into cross-sector and cross-border collaboration frameworks that
optimize blockchain’s utility for complex supply chains.

 Examination of synergies between blockchain and emerging technologies to drive

intelligent, adaptive supply chain systems.

Limitations and Future Research

Limitations

While this study provides a comprehensive exploration of blockchain’s transformative

potential in sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), several important limitations
should be acknowledged to contextualize the findings and guide subsequent inquiry.

A major constraint lies in the heavy reliance on secondary data sources, including academic
literature, industry reports, and publicly available case studies. While these sources offer
valuable insights and detailed descriptions, they inherently limit the empirical rigor and
granularity that primary data collection could provide. Secondary data often focus on early-
stage pilots, anecdotal evidence, or self-reported company performance, which may
introduce biases or partial representations of blockchain’s operational and sustainability
impacts. The lack of direct field observations, stakeholder interviews, or real-time
transaction datasets restricts the chapter’s ability to conduct deep causal analyses or
nuanced evaluations of blockchain adoption dynamics.

Furthermore, there seems to be a noticeable scarcity of longitudinal studies investigating

blockchain’s sustained effects on supply chain sustainability outcomes. Most extant research
and documented case examples represent snapshots or short-term pilots, limiting
understanding of how blockchain platforms perform over extended periods amid evolving
business environments and regulatory landscapes. Without longer-term empirical evidence,
it remains challenging to ascertain blockchain’s durability, scalability, and adaptability across
complex, multi-tiered supply chains. Issues such as technology obsolescence, participant
attrition, and governance evolution warrant systematic longitudinal scrutiny.

Another significant limitation pertains to the relatively minimal focus on socio-political

factors influencing blockchain adoption. Although technical, economic, and organizational
challenges are well documented, less attention has been given to the broader social,
political, and cultural dynamics that shape blockchain uptake and effectiveness. Factors such
as power asymmetries between supply chain actors, institutional resistance, geopolitical
tensions, and local regulatory environments fundamentally shape the possibilities and
constraints of blockchain implementation. Neglecting these socio-political dimensions risks
oversimplifying blockchain adoption as a purely technological or managerial challenge,
without fully appreciating its embeddedness within complex socio-economic systems.
Finally, there seems to be limited exploration of the ethical implications and unintended
consequences of blockchain deployment in supply chains. Issues related to data ownership,
privacy trade-offs, surveillance risks, and exclusion of marginalized actors remain under-
theorized in existing scholarship. Addressing such ethical considerations will be crucial to
developing responsible blockchain applications that foster equitable and just supply chain
transitions.

Directions for Future Research

Building on these limitations, several promising avenues for future research emerge,
designed to deepen understanding and maximize blockchain’s contribution to sustainable
supply chains.

1. Long-Term Impact Studies

Future research should prioritize longitudinal, empirical investigations that track blockchain-
enabled supply chains over multiple years and across diverse industries. These studies would
provide robust evidence on blockchain’s sustained environmental, social, and economic
impacts, identifying success factors as well as failure modes. Mixed-method approaches
combining quantitative metrics (such as carbon emission reductions, waste minimization, or
labor standards improvements) with qualitative insights (from stakeholder interviews or
ethnographies) would offer a holistic perspective on blockchain’s evolving role in supply
chain ecosystems.

2. Inclusive Governance and Participation Models

Given the critical role of governance in blockchain effectiveness, future scholarship needs to
advance inclusive governance frameworks that incorporate the voices and capabilities of
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), marginalized suppliers, and actors from
developing countries. Research should explore how blockchain platforms can be designed
and managed to foster equitable access and participation, minimizing digital divides and
ensuring sustainability benefits permeate all supply chain tiers. Pilot projects and
comparative case studies examining different collaborative governance models will shed
light on best practices and innovative institutional arrangements.

3. Interdisciplinary and Multilevel Frameworks

Blockchain-enabled SSCM operates at the intersection of technology, management,
environmental science, social justice, and policy studies. To capture this complexity, future
research should develop interdisciplinary frameworks that integrate insights from computer
science, supply chain management, ecology, sociology, and law. These frameworks can
facilitate more nuanced analyses of blockchain’s systemic impacts, feedback loops, and
multi-scalar interactions—from local supplier communities to global regulatory regimes.
Employing system dynamics modeling, network analysis, and both social and technical
transitions theories may yield valuable explanatory and prescriptive insights.
4. Privacy-Enhancing and Ethical Innovations
As balancing transparency with privacy remains an ongoing challenge, research should
investigate privacy-preserving blockchain technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs,
confidential transactions, or hybrid permseems to besioned-public blockchains.
Experimentation with these innovations will help reconcile the tension between openness
and confidentiality, supporting wider adoption. Additionally, scholarship on the ethical
governance of blockchain technologies in supply chains, including frameworks for data
rights, informed consent, and distributive justice, is urgently needed to ensure responsible
implementation aligned with social sustainability goals.

5. Blockchain-Enabled Carbon Markets and Environmental Commodities

Emerging research could focus on how blockchain platforms support the creation and
management of carbon markets, emission trading schemes, and other environmental
commodities within supply chains. By providing transparent, secure, and auditable registries
of emissions reductions or carbon offsets, blockchain has the potential to enhance market
efficiency, reduce fraud, and broaden participation in environmental finance. Investigating
the design, adoption, and regulatory integration of blockchain-enabled carbon markets will
contribute to understanding how digital technologies can accelerate decarbonization
transitions at scale.

6. Cross-Sectoral Supply Chain Collaborations

Given the interconnected nature of modern supply chains spanning agriculture, energy,
manufacturing, and transportation, research should explore blockchain’s potential to
enable cross-sector collaborations that drive systemic sustainability transformations.
Comparative studies examining blockchain applications in multi-industry contexts will
elucidate how shared data infrastructures can support circular economy models, portfolio
sustainability assessments, and multi-actor coordination.

By addressing these research imperatives, scholars and practitioners can better harness
blockchain’s potential to create more transparent, equitable, and sustainable supply chains.
Embracing methodological diversity, participatory approaches, and responsible innovation
principles will be key to advancing both understanding and practice in this dynamic field.

References (Harvard Format)

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