Mitigating the risk of specific supply chain disruptions through blockchain technology

Research extends in all directions regarding the usage of blockchain technology in operations, logistics, and supply chain management. However, little is known about the role of blockchain in mitigating the risk of specific supply chain disruptions. Therefore, this paper investigates which disruptions in the supply chain can be mitigated through blockchain as well as how these issues can be alleviated. By utilising data collected from a systematic literature review, we find that blockchain mitigates disruptions that are related to specific supply and demand risks: behavioural uncertainties, poor information security, fraud and counterfeit risks, data loss and human errors, operational risks, transactional risks, foodborne illness risks, and information asymmetries. Blockchain is useful in these areas because, as a distributed ledger technology, it integrates the supply chain’s communication systems with a unified platform that improves information-sharing and processing capabilities. Our study represents a step towards improved understanding of blockchain’s positive impact in supply chain and information management-related fields.