Catalysts of transformation: unravelling the nexus between regulatory changes, perceived efficiency gains, and business performance in blockchain implementation

Purpose This research seeks to shed light on the complex relationships between regulatory changes, perceived efficiency gains, and enhanced business performance in the context of blockchain implementation. The aim is to deepen our understanding of how these factors interact, particularly as organizations navigate an evolving regulatory landscape. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative, positivist approach was employed. Data from auditors in leading US audit firms were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS 4. Reliability, validity, and discriminant validity were rigorously tested, with power analyses guiding sample size decisions to ensure robust statistical power. Findings The results reveal that perceived efficiency gains play a critical mediating role in linking regulatory changes to enhanced business performance. The data indicate a moderate positive relationship between regulatory changes in blockchain implementation and improved business performance. Furthermore, a strong association was observed between perceived efficiency gains and regulatory changes, highlighting the importance of efficiency perceptions in driving organizational transformations and their subsequent impact on performance. Research limitations/implications This research acknowledges some limitations, including its focus on specific industries and reliance on cross-sectoral data, which may limit the ability to establish definitive causal relationships. In addition, the use of targeted Facebook ads to recruit participants may introduce potential biases, affecting the generalizability of the results. Practical implications For industries undergoing digital transformation, this research underscores the critical importance of strategic navigation in the regulatory environment. The study suggests that regulatory transformations, when effectively managed and combined with perceptions of efficiency, can act as powerful catalysts for performance improvement through the integration of blockchain technology. These insights provide a strategic roadmap for companies aiming to leverage regulatory changes to achieve superior performance outcomes. Social implications The study enriches the academic discourse by quantifying the direct and mediated impacts of regulatory changes in the context of blockchain adoption. It expands our understanding of how these regulatory changes translate to tangible business performance enhancements, adding depth to existing frameworks. Originality/value This study makes a unique contribution by providing a detailed analysis of the organizational dynamics in blockchain implementation. It emphasizes the interconnected relationship between perceptions of efficiency and business performance and provides new insights that fill gaps in the literature. The findings are valuable to both academic and industrial stakeholders, guiding strategic decision-making in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.