The role of blockchain in enabling inter-organisational supply chain alignment for value co-creation in the construction industry

Abstract

In the construction industry context, misalignments in the supply chain pose significant challenges, hindering successful project delivery. To address these issues, blockchain technology emerges as a promising IT-based solution for achieving supply chain alignment. A conceptual model is developed based on the service-dominant logic theory that explores the impact of blockchain on supply chain alignment and co-created value outcomes within the Business-to-Business (B2B) construction context. Through a questionnaire-based approach, data were collected from 324 respondents in the global construction industry, which was then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings demonstrate the positive impact of implementing blockchain technology on competency, behavioural, process, and expectations alignment among supply chain partners. These improvements in alignment collectively contribute to the realization of supply chain value outcomes. These results emphasize the importance of a comprehensive approach combining technology with alignment efforts to realize blockchain-enabled value co-creation in construction supply chain management.

Keywords:

• Blockchain
• supply chain management
• alignment
• value co-creation
• value outcomes
• construction industry

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data supporting this study’s findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Notes

1 Blockchain systems can be classified as permissioned (e.g. Hyperledger Fabric) or permissionless (e.g. Ethereum) depending on their consensus mechanism. A permission-less public network with no central authority, a permissioned private network controlled by one authority, and a permissioned consortium controlled by a group are just a few examples of the various organizational structures that could be used for blockchain platforms (Sheth and Dattani 2019).