Integrating the REA model and multisig architecture for blockchain-based supply chain traceability: An organisational-technical approach

Blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability has transitioned from a new concept into a business practice and a customer expectation across industries. This paper explores an organisational-technical approach that integrates the structured business logic of the Resource-Event-Agent (REA) model with the security and accountability of multisig blockchain architecture to enhance blockchain-enabled supply chain traceability. This approach combines (i) an identity-based multisig mechanism, and (ii) unique REA-based traceable units to coordinate supply chain actors to propose, verify and register accountable data onto blockchain networks, while adhering to structured business practices for harmonised data traceability. The novelty of this approach lies in bridging blockchain's technical capabilities with business logic to mitigate garbage in and garbage out problems in achieving reliable and structured traceability in blockchain-enabled supply chains. The organisational-technical approach was developed and implemented to demonstrate its viability through an empirical pilot study in a food supply chain scenario. This paper offers theoretical advancements by integrating the REA ontological model with a multisig architecture to establish a robust framework for structured, secure, and accountable supply chain traceability, while providing practical insights through a scalable solution for industry adoption. By aligning technical innovations with organisational practices, this work makes a significant contribution to the digital transformation of supply chain ecosystems, fostering greater transparency, security, and trust to maximise social and economic impacts. • Builds on food traceability and information processing theory to advance blockchain-based supply chain traceability. • Proposes an organisational-technical framework to implement blockchain for enhanced supply chain transparency. • Integrates the REA model with multisig blockchain architecture for robust supply chain data governance. • Improves accountability and data harmonisation by aligning multisig mechanisms with REA business logic. • Develops and validates the approach through an empirical pilot in a real-world food supply chain scenario.