Explaining behavioural intention to adopt blockchain for public procurement governance with SEM-ANN

Purpose This research aims to predict the behavioural intention of the stakeholders to adopt Blockchain for public procurement in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted with the procurement officials working for government agencies, with usable responses of 257 respondents. Partial least squares structural equation modelling coupled with an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model was assessed. Findings The results showed that except social influence, the elements of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology and Public Service Motivation (PSM), have a positive and significant impact on the intention to adopt Blockchain for public procurement. The neural model ensures that ANN analysis showed that Performance Expectancy is the most significant element, followed by Facilitating Conditions, PSM and Effort Expectancy. Social implications The findings of the study have important policy implications with recommendations and guidelines for policymakers, government officials and managers involved in public procurement about how the adoption of Blockchain can help reduce corruption to ensure good governance through transparency. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first to empirically predict the behavioural intention of the stakeholders to adopt Blockchain for public procurement in Bangladesh.