Blockchain-Enabled Supply Chain Management for Transparency and Trust

Abstract

: Blockchain-enabled supply chain management (SCM) has emerged as a transformative approach to addressing long-standing challenges related to transparency, trust, traceability, and efficiency in global supply networks. Traditional supply chain systems are often fragmented, centralized, and opaque, making them vulnerable to data manipulation, fraud, counterfeiting, inefficiencies, and limited stakeholder trust. The increasing complexity of multi-tier supply chains, coupled with growing regulatory and consumer demands for ethical sourcing and sustainability, necessitates innovative technological solutions. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized, immutable, and transparent ledger capabilities, offers a promising foundation for reengineering supply chain processes.

This study explores the role of blockchain technology in enhancing transparency and trust across supply chain ecosystems. By enabling real-time, tamper-resistant recording of transactions and asset movements, blockchain facilitates end-to-end visibility among all authorized stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, regulators, and consumers. Smart contracts further automate and enforce predefined business rules, reducing reliance on intermediaries, minimizing disputes, and improving operational efficiency. The integration of blockchain with complementary technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and big data analytics strengthens data accuracy and supports predictive and prescriptive decision-making within supply chains. 

The abstract highlights key benefits of blockchain-enabled SCM, including improved traceability of products, enhanced accountability, reduced fraud and counterfeiting, faster dispute resolution, and strengthened stakeholder trust. Additionally, blockchain supports compliance with regulatory requirements and sustainability initiatives by providing verifiable records of sourcing, production, and distribution activities. Despite these advantages, the adoption of blockchain in supply chains faces several challenges, such as scalability limitations, interoperability issues, high implementation costs, data privacy concerns, and the need for industry-wide collaboration and standardization. 

This study underscores the strategic importance of blockchain as an enabler of transparent and trustworthy supply chains while acknowledging the technical, organizational, and regulatory barriers that must be addressed for successful implementation. The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on digital supply chain transformation and provide insights for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to leverage blockchain technology for building resilient, secure, and sustainable supply chain networks. Ultimately, blockchain-enabled supply chain management represents a critical step toward fostering trust, accountability, and long-term value creation in modern supply chain ecosystems.