Leveraging blockchain for enhanced transparency and traceability in sustainable supply chains

Abstract The adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain management has gained significant attention due to its potential to enhance transparency, traceability, and accountability. However, successful blockchain implementation requires careful consideration of governance, regulatory, and ethical dimensions. Through a narrative literature review, this paper examines how blockchain can be effectively leveraged in sustainable supply chains, focussing on governance challenges and policy considerations. The review reveals significant gaps in current understanding of blockchain governance, including a lack of standardisation, limited integration between technical and institutional aspects, and insufficient attention to ethical implications. The analysis provides a comprehensive examination of the regulatory landscape, identifying critical areas requiring policy attention and suggesting pathways for implementation. The paper contributes to the literature by synthesising the current understanding of governance challenges and proposing policy directions for addressing these gaps. As blockchain technology continues to evolve, the paper emphasises the need for balanced governance approaches that promote innovation while ensuring responsible implementation across supply chain ecosystems.