Blockchain technology: a catalyst for sustainable supply chains in emerging economies through enhanced transparency and traceability

Purpose This paper aims to explore the potential value of Blockchain technology (BCT) features on supply chain (SC) information flow, focusing on enhanced traceability and transparency within the supply chain as enablers of better supply chain sustainability (SCS) performance focusing mainly on emerging economies. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts an exploratory research approach using a Delphi method, which is considered a mixed method capturing both qualitative and quantitative data through multiple rounds of panels with professionals in the field of BCT and supply chain management (SCM). A panel was composed of 14 experts grouped into two main groups with 10 experts from the practice/industry and 4 experts with SC consultancy experience. The thoughtful selection of experts with diverse backgrounds represented in different industries aligned with a combination of practical and consultancy expertise was instrumental in enriching the research findings, enabling a comprehensive exploration of the potential impact of BCT on SC across different sectors. Findings The findings of this study indicate a substantial and significant influence of BCT features on the flow of information within the SC. These features facilitate smoother information exchange among SC partners, potentially enhancing transparency and traceability. Such enhancements in information sharing have the potential to affect sustainability performance of the SC positively. Research limitations/implications As with most research, this study has several limitations. A primary limitation is the lack of reliable data sources, which restricts the sample size across multiple industries and may affect the generalizability of the results. The use of self-reported data also presents a limitation, as it is susceptible to bias and cannot be verified independently. Practical implications Practically, findings provide useful insights for managers and decision makers in emerging economies, particularly in countries like Egypt by demonstrating how BCT can enhance information sharing across the SC. This improves traceability and transparency, which leads to better monitoring of SC partners’ actions, which in turn improves sustainability performance. These insights can encourage decision makers to rethink and redesign SC processes by adopting BCT, answering the key question: “Why adopt BCT in SCM?” Originality/value This study fills a significant gap in the literature by examining the impact of BCT on SCM in emerging economies, especially Egypt, because the majority of existing literature primarily focus on developed economies. By leveraging the Delphi method, this study offers a unique perspective on how BCT features can enhance information flow, traceability, and transparency, leading to improved sustainability performance within the SC.