Blockchain Technology and Operations Management: An Implementation Roadmap

Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology. While it has grown in prominence, its full potential and possible downsides are not fully understood yet, especially with respect to Operations Management (OM). This thesis aims to provide a bibliometric literature review through which the current literature is studied and analyzed. In this regard, four main clusters have been identified: (1) Blockchain and Supply Chain Management, (2) Blockchain Technology Adoption in Supply Chain Management, (3) Blockchain and Sustainability, and (4) Blockchain Application in Food Supply Chain (FSC). As a result of this bibliometric literature review, some consistent gaps in the literature have been identified. Specifically, we have found that most of these recent studies focus their attention only on the possible benefits and risks of Blockchain implementation in the specific area of Supply Chain Management. Additionally, it is not clear how an enterprise should practically approach and transform its operations to implement Blockchain Technology. Hence, to fill these gaps, a case study has been conducted with a specific focus on the road mapping of the main steps and initiatives an organization should undertake when starting a Blockchain transformation journey as well as on its impacts inside the general company’s operations.