Purpose

This paper examines the impact of a blockchain platform on the role and importance of trust in established buyer-supplier relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review provides insight into trust development in supply chains. Research uses a case study of two wine supply chains: the producers, importers, logistics companies and UK Government agencies. Semi-structured interviews determine how trust and trustworthiness develop in buyer-supplier relationships and the impact of a blockchain-based technology proof of concept on supply chain trust.

Findings

A blockchain-based platform introduces common trusted data, reducing data duplication and improving supply chain visibility. The platform supports trust building between parties but does not replace the requirements for organisations to establish a position of trust. Contrary to literature claims for blockchain trustless disintermediation, new intermediaries are introduced who need to be trusted.

Research limitations/implications

The case study presents challenges specific to UK customs borders, and research needs to be repeated in different contexts to establish if findings are generalisable.

Practical implications

A blockchain-based platform can improve supply chain efficiency and trust development but does not remove the need for trust and trust-building processes. Blockchain platform providers need to build a position of trust with all participants.

Originality/value

Case study research shows how blockchain facilitates but does not remove trust, trustworthiness and trust relationships in established supply chains. The reduction in information asymmetry and improved supply chain visibility provided by blockchain does not change the importance of trust in established buyer-supplier relationships or the trust-based policy of the UK Government at the customs border.

中文翻译：

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区块链平台对已建立关系信任的影响：葡萄酒供应链案例研究

目的

本文研究了区块链平台对已建立的买卖双方关系中信任的作用和重要性的影响。

设计/方法/方法

文献综述提供了对供应链中信任发展的洞察。研究使用了两个葡萄酒供应链的案例研究：生产商、进口商、物流公司和英国政府机构。半结构化访谈确定了买卖双方关系中的信任和可信赖度如何发展，以及基于区块链的技术概念验证对供应链信任的影响。

发现

基于区块链的平台引入了常见的可信数据，减少了数据重复并提高了供应链的可见性。该平台支持各方之间建立信任，但不能取代组织建立信任地位的要求。与区块链去信任去中介化的文献声称相反，引入了需要信任的新中介。

研究限制/影响

该案例研究提出了英国海关边界特有的挑战，需要在不同的背景下重复研究，以确定研究结果是否具有普遍性。

实际影响

基于区块链的平台可以提高供应链效率和信任发展，但不会消除对信任和信任建立过程的需求。区块链平台提供商需要与所有参与者建立信任关系。

原创性/价值

案例研究表明，区块链如何促进但不会消除已建立供应链中的信任、可信度和信任关系。区块链提供的信息不对称的减少和供应链可见性的提高并没有改变信任在已建立的买卖双方关系或英国政府在海关边境的基于信任的政策的重要性。