Analyzing blockchain adoption barriers in manufacturing supply chains by the neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process

Vafadarnikjoo, Amin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2147-6043, Badri Ahmadi, Hadi, Liou, James JH, Botelho, Tiago and Chalvatzis, Konstantinos (2021) Analyzing blockchain adoption barriers in manufacturing supply chains by the neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process. Annals of Operations Research. ISSN 0254-5330

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Abstract

Tools established for managing information flow in supply chain management and logistics should match digital transformations. This issue is particularly salient for developing nations that hope to achieve sustainable development goals in a globalized era. Modern technologies are required to ensure a secure, transparent, and traceable path of information flow in global supply chains; however, it is not always straightforward for businesses in developing economies to adopt new digital technologies while sustaining productivity. One of the foundational technologies that can be used to create a basis for economic and social systems and to affect manufacturing supply chains in developing economies is blockchain. In this study, we analyze the barriers to blockchain technology adoption in manufacturing supply chains using the neutrosophic analytic hierarchy process (N-AHP). We propose an action plan framework for the validation of blockchain technology in a developing economy. The findings demonstrate that “transaction-level uncertainties” comprise the most critical barrier and have the highest weight in the final ranking followed by “usage in the underground economy”, “managerial commitment”, “challenges in scalability”, and “privacy risks”. This paper can assist industrial managers and experts in emerging economies to more clearly identify barriers to the implementation of blockchain technology and show them how to successfully employ blockchain technology in their supply chains.