Mediation effects in blockchain technology adoption for social sustainability: Pre- and post-adoption analysis of existing and future socially sustainable supply chains

Abstract

While blockchain technology offers promising potential for enhancing social sustainability in supply chains, its adoption and effective utilisation remain underexplored. This study, grounded in the dynamic capabilities view, investigates the role of social orientation and the cognitive mechanism of Perceived Usefulness in driving blockchain technology adoption, and its subsequent impact on future social practices and social performance across both pre- and post-adoption phases. Using a quantitative survey of UK manufacturing organisations, this study examines the mediating effects of existing social practices in the pre-adoption phase and future social practices in the post-adoption phase. Findings reveal that while social orientation positively influences blockchain adoption, this effect is partially mediated by existing social practices. Furthermore, blockchain implementation acts as a catalyst for the adoption of future social practices, which in turn mediates its impact on social performance. This study contributes to the operations and supply chain management body of literature by: 1) providing empirical evidence for the mediating role of social practices in the relationship between social orientation, blockchain adoption, and social performance; 2) highlighting the dynamic interplay between existing and future social practices in shaping the adoption and impact of blockchain technology, adopting a multi-stage approach that considers both pre- and post-adoption phases; and 3) providing managers with the strategic tool Blockchain Technology for Social Sustainability (BTSS) for leveraging blockchain for social sustainability.