Title: Antecedents to blockchain technology adoption intentions: an empirical study in an African emerging economy

Authors: Boris Urban; Luyanda Mbeki

Addresses: Graduate School of Management, University of Witwatersrand, 2 St. Davids Place, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa ' Graduate School of Management, University of Witwatersrand, 2 St. Davids Place, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract: Blockchain technology has received substantial interest from both scholars and practitioners, primarily owing to its distinguishing features. However, the adoption rate by firms is still low and there is little empirical evidence on the intentions and applicability of blockchain technology, from an African emerging market perspective. The purpose of this article is to gain a deeper understanding of the various antecedents to the intention to adopt blockchain. The study took place in South Africa where a survey was administered to Fin-Tech sector firms listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Based on hypotheses testing, the results indicate that the antecedent in terms of relative advantage, positively and significantly influences the intention to adopt blockchain technology. This article makes a novel contribution to the emerging knowledge base on blockchain adoption intentions and applicability in an African market context. Implications for management relate to understanding which antecedents influence intentions to blockchain adoption. Lastly, the article now allows researchers to conduct replication studies in comparable country settings.

Keywords: blockchain technology; intentions; adoption; organisational; relative advantage; South Africa.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTLID.2022.128936

International Journal of Technological Learning, Innovation and Development, 2022 Vol.14 No.4, pp.440 - 461

Received: 09 May 2022
Accepted: 04 Dec 2022

Published online: 10 Feb 2023 *

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