A MULTI-LEVEL EXAMINATION OF BLOCKCHAIN ADOPTION FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – FROM MICROLEVEL COMPANIES TO MACROLEVEL POLICYMAKING

Multilevel linkages and collaborative synergy are critical components of the circular economy (CE). Industry 4.0 technologies, in particular blockchain technology (BT), have the potential to enable and facilitate such relationships. This qualitative study goes beyond earlier isolated investigations by examining micro-, meso-, and macrolevel actors in the CE with an emphasis on BT adoption. Analysis of interview data collected over three years suggests that BT might help tackling microlevel traceability issues through safe data sharing, benefiting simultaneously mesolevel entities through better material management and cost efficiency. Policymakers could use BT to standardise and make data more transparent at the macrolevel, increasing trust and public engagement. This study offers insights on how players may need to adjust and collaborate across domains for a more transparent and decentralised adoption of CE by drawing on the findings at each level. Suggestions for future research directions are also provided.