Framework for governance tailoring: case study for a blockchain-based supply chain application

Abstract

Innovative uses of the blockchain technology in existing business models open up new opportunities to improve services and applications with new attributes such as integrity, transparency and auditability. In many cases, however, this involves a collaboration of different companies and entities, and therefore the integration with a blockchain depends on a good relationship between all parties. A key step in that direction is defining a governance both for the consortium that undertakes the service or application and for its wider business ecosystem. Thus, the governance must cover not only management aspects of the network, but also processes that regulate the application and the relationship between participants. This paper discusses the case study of a traceability service for animal protein supply chain, which has strengthened its value proposition by means of a new blockchain layer. A framework to facilitate the tailoring of its governance is proposed and discussed.