Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the early but fervent debate on blockchain and supply networks by proposing a novel theoretical perspective on blockchain adoption grounded on social capital theory. In particular, it seeks to answer the following question: what is the role of social capital in shaping the decision to adopt blockchain in supply networks?

Design/methodology/approach

Multiple case-studies, based on interviews performed with managers of eight firms, were used.

Findings

The social capital theory emerged as an additional but necessary lens to investigate blockchain implementation in supply networks. The intuitions proposed highlighted the importance of managers’ sensemaking for investigating technology adoption. Relational capital emerged as a necessary but not sufficient condition to adopt blockchain in supply networks. In addition, it is argued a relationship between competitive opportunities at the firm level and the idea to adopt the blockchain. The opportunity to act as “Tertius Gaudens” or as “Tertius Iungens” information brokers in supply networks should severely affect firms’ proneness toward the adoption of blockchain solutions.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies in the literature investigating blockchain adoption in supply networks from a social capital perspective. It introduces new issues to the debate related to the role of blockchain in the supply chain by discussing the role of goal misalignment and competitive advantage, which emerged as crucial for shaping the decision to adopt blockchain in supply networks.

中文翻译：

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供应网络中的区块链采用：社会资本视角

目的

本研究旨在通过提出一种基于社会资本理论的关于区块链采用的新颖理论观点，为关于区块链和供应网络的早期但激烈的辩论做出贡献。特别是，它试图回答以下问题：社会资本在决定在供应网络中采用区块链方面的作用是什么？

设计/方法/方法

基于对八家公司经理的访谈，使用了多项案例研究。

发现

社会资本理论成为研究供应网络中区块链实施的一个额外但必要的镜头。所提出的直觉强调了管理者的意义建构对于调查技术采用的重要性。关系资本成为在供应网络中采用区块链的必要但非充分条件。此外，有人认为公司层面的竞争机会与采用区块链的想法之间存在关系。在供应网络中充当“Tertius Gaudens”或“Tertius Iungens”信息经纪人的机会将严重影响公司采用区块链解决方案的倾向。

原创性/价值

这是文献中最早从社会资本的角度调查供应网络中区块链采用的研究之一。它通过讨论目标错位和竞争优势的作用，为与区块链在供应链中的作用相关的辩论引入了新问题，这对于形成在供应网络中采用区块链的决定至关重要。