Purpose

The cold supply chain industry is still emerging and digital transformation is in the nascent stage in this industry. This paper argues that there are various barriers to implementing blockchain technology in the cold supply chain and aims to develop and validate a model for overcoming key barriers to implementing blockchain technology in the cold supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

The adoption of blockchain technology was proposed through interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and further it is validated using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

In this study, ten key barriers to implementing blockchain technology in the cold supply chain were identified, modelled and analysed. Poor leadership style of top management was found to be the most important barriers to implementing blockchain technology in the cold supply chain. The results of SEM indicate that all the paths are supported. The findings showcase the barriers responsible for the lack of blockchain technology infrastructure that ultimately impacts the cold supply chains.

Practical implications

This study highlights the fact that the fate of blockchain technology infrastructure development depends on the leadership style of top management. Demonstrating good leadership style by top management can help overcome the barriers. A good leader pulls the entire team instead of pushing the team. A good leader can guide the entire team to improve IT governance, financial investment, digital footprint, digital readiness, skills and collaboration with service providers to implement blockchain technology. Not only that, a good leader provides mental strength to the team and helps overcome the fear of implementing blockchain in the cold supply chain. A good leader demonstrates good administrative skills and focus on security and privacy policies.

Originality/value

This is a novel contribution towards analysing the key barriers to implementing blockchain technology in the South African cold supply chain using the integrated ISM–MICMAC and SEM approach.

中文翻译：

---

区块链技术在冷链供应链应用障碍的多方法研究

目的

冷供应链行业仍处于新兴阶段，数字化转型正处于起步阶段。本文认为，在冷供应链中实施区块链技术存在各种障碍，旨在开发和验证一个模型，以克服在冷供应链中实施区块链技术的关键障碍。

设计/方法论/途径

区块链技术的采用是通过解释结构模型（ISM）提出的，并进一步使用结构方程模型（SEM）进行验证。

发现

在这项研究中，识别、建模和分析了在冷供应链中实施区块链技术的十大关键障碍。研究发现，高层管理人员领导风格不佳是在冷供应链中实施区块链技术的最重要障碍。 SEM结果表明所有路径均得到支持。研究结果揭示了区块链技术基础设施缺乏的障碍，最终影响了冷供应链。

实际影响

这项研究强调了这样一个事实：区块链技术基础设施发展的命运取决于高层管理人员的领导风格。高层管理人员展示良好的领导风格有助于克服障碍。一个好的领导者会拉动整个团队，而不是推动团队。一个好的领导者可以指导整个团队改善 IT 治理、财务投资、数字足迹、数字准备、技能以及与服务提供商的协作，以实施区块链技术。不仅如此，一个好的领导者可以为团队提供精神力量，并帮助克服在冷供应链中实施区块链的恐惧。优秀的领导者表现出良好的管理技能并关注安全和隐私政策。

原创性/价值

这是使用集成 ISM-MICMAC 和 SEM 方法分析在南非冷供应链中实施区块链技术的主要障碍的新颖贡献。