Title: Analytical evaluation of the barriers to blockchain technology implementation in supply chains

Authors: Akram Shaabani; Laya Olfat; Iman Raeesi Vanani

Addresses: Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran ' Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran ' Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: Recent studies show that technological developments have been effective in the way businesses operate. Blockchain technology has emerged later than other technologies, such as internet of things, automated tools, and Industry 4.0. As a digital distribution office, blockchain technology ensures transparency, security, and traceability of all processes performed in supply chain, which facilitates supply chain management. This technology is very effective in reducing the cost and time of activities in the supply chain, which has significant advantages for companies. The aim of present study was to investigate barriers to blockchain technology implementation in supply chain with regard to technical, organisational, and external dimensions. To investigate the barriers, we used the fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method. The fuzzy TOPSIS technique, which is an MCDM approach, is used in ranking variables. To this end, the indicators which are effective in preventing the blockchain technology implementation are collected, and, upon receiving the approval of the specialised academic experts in the field, ranked using fuzzy TOPSIS method.

Keywords: supply chain; blockchain technology; fuzzy Shannon's entropy; fuzzy TOPSIS.

DOI: 10.1504/IJADS.2021.117459

International Journal of Applied Decision Sciences, 2021 Vol.14 No.5, pp.518 - 541

Received: 11 Jan 2020
Accepted: 24 Mar 2020

Published online: 07 Sep 2021 *

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