Blockchain in general management and economics: a systematic literature review

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to provide a systematic review of the literature addressing blockchain technology (BT) in general management and economics (GME). Design/methodology/approach A systematic literature review methodology is used to collect and analyze the literature. Findings Three clusters of research are identified, namely, law, economy and innovation. The use of BT in law areas fosters the registration of intellectual property (IP) rights, although conflict between some of BT applications and regulatory frameworks is present. Research on cryptocurrencies is of high interest to the economy today. In the innovation cluster, BT improves security, traceability and transparency in operations over supply chains. However, BT has many technical imperfections that hinder its wide adoption. Furthermore, the need for the full commitment of all business actors complicates its implementation. Research on BT is still at a nascent stage. Conceptual papers dominate the literature (18 theories are discussed). Eight main future research directions are described. For example, the relationship between the use of BT in supply chains and competitive advantage is not established; and quality standards for BT platforms are not developed. Research limitations/implications The review is restricted to academic journals in the fields of GME, which limits the extent of the conclusions. Originality/value The paper synthesizes 47 studies published in academic journals, avoiding misleading claims and inaccurate information insofar as possible; and provides a spectrum of descriptive statistics and qualitative meta-synthesis analysis of the current literature.