Investigating the potential applications of blockchain technology: a focus group discussion

This study explores the potential applications of blockchain technology in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the tourism industry ‎through a focus group discussion (FGD) methodology. Aimed at understanding participants' perceptions and experiences, the research ‎investigates the barriers to adoption and the benefits of blockchain solutions in enhancing operational efficiency and trust. The FGDs, consisting of 100 participants from various business and academic backgrounds, revealed that while many SMEs recognize the advantages of ‎blockchain, such as transparency, security, and automated compliance, there are significant challenges, including high costs and a lack of ‎technical expertise. The findings suggest that for successful implementation, SMEs will require skilled personnel and supportive infrastructure-‎ture. This paper contributes valuable insights into the readiness of SMEs for blockchain adoption and highlights opportunities for future ‎research in this emergent field‎.