The Role of Blockchain in Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency and Transparency.

This thesis investigates the impact of blockchain technology on supply chains and analyzes how companies that adopt it can enhance transparency, traceability, and operational efficiency. Blockchain is a relatively recent technology, introduced with Bitcoin in 2008, and in recent years its use has expanded significantly across multiple economic sectors, driven by rapid digital transformation. A particular focus is placed on the agri-food sector, one of the industries where blockchain’s potential to guarantee product authenticity and supply chain integrity appears especially relevant. After a literature review on supply chain management and a detailed explanation of the technology, including its benefits and limitations through the analysis of a major international case study (TradeLens), the thesis examines the structure and challenges of the agri-food sector. This contextual analysis supports the discussion of two case studies addressed in the final chapter: IBM Food Trust and Barilla’s Pesto alla Genovese project. Although the two cases operate at different levels, they jointly highlight how blockchain can support improved traceability and supply chain governance. IBM Food Trust represents a macro-level platform, used by multiple companies within a shared network, illustrating the opportunities and constraints of large-scale adoption. Barilla’s initiative, instead, reflects a micro-level implementation, focused on a single product and its specific supply chain. By comparing the findings from both cases, the thesis identifies common patterns, practical implications, and areas for improvement, offering insights into how companies can effectively leverage blockchain to strengthen transparency, build consumer trust, and enhance supply chain efficiency.