Blockchain implementation in the retail industry: success, suitability, and supply chain transformation

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School of Business | Bachelor's thesis
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Date

2025

Department

Mikkelin kampus

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Mcode

Degree programme

(Mikkeli) Bachelor’s Program in International Business

Language

en

Pages

44

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Abstract

This thesis investigates the impact of blockchain implementation on transparency and traceability in supply chains, critical dimensions for organizational sustainability. With stakeholders increasingly prioritizing sustainable business practices, enterprises must explore innovative solutions to meet these evolving expectations. Contemporary supply chains are characterized by global complexity and fragmentation, resulting in limited end-to-end visibility and occasional information discontinuities that compromise oversight and potentially lead to reputational damage. Employing a qualitative research design, this study conducted content analysis of blockchain implementations in the retail industry. Two case companies were systematically analyzed using the Gioia coding methodology to identify key themes and relationships. Findings reveal the transformative capacity of blockchain technology in supply chain management, demonstrating that enhanced transparency and traceability balances power asymmetries while reinforcing responsibility and accountability among supply chain actors. Results further indicate that blockchain implementation establishes robust trust mechanisms among participants. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on digital supply chain transformation and offers practical implications for organizations seeking to leverage blockchain to address sustainability imperatives and stakeholder demands. Future research should examine the scalability of these solutions across diverse industrial contexts and investigate potential implementation barriers.

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Thesis advisor

Dellestrand, Henrik

Keywords

transparency, traceability, supply chain, power dynamics, blockchain, retail industry

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202505113574

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[kand] Kauppakorkeakoulu / BIZ (Open Access)