The Role of Blockchain Technology Adoption for Sustainable Supply Chain Performance: The Mediating Role of Stakeholders’ Trust

Blockchain is a promising new technology utilized in various supply chains. It enables decentralization and secure, tamper-proof records within the supply chain system while enhancing transparency and trust. The manufacturing industry in Saudi Arabia has been compelled to adopt digital technology to mitigate security threats across all logistics aspects, particularly in light of the economic diversification aligned with the vision of 2030. However, scholars have not thoroughly investigated the issue of trust among supply chain members in relation to enhancing supply chain performance in Saudi Arabia using Blockchain Technology (BCT). Anchoring on the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, this quantitative study investigates the effect of BCT adoption on sustainable supply chain performance and examines how trust mediates this relationship. Primary data were gathered via a questionnaire from 200 manufacturing firms in Saudi Arabia. For data analysis, the Structural equation modelling-partial least squares (SEM-PLS) approach was employed using SmartPLS software. The findings revealed that BCT adoption significantly and directly affects both stakeholders’ trust and sustainable supply chain performance. Additionally, stakeholders’ trust contributes to enhancing sustainable supply chain performance and mediates the relationship between BCT adoption and sustainable supply chain performance. The study offers guidance for future research in supply chain management. The findings provide valuable insights into the manufacturing sector, emphasizing the importance of implementing BCT to foster trust, which can enhance supply chain performance.