Purpose

Firms are increasingly pressured to comply with mandatory supply chain transparency (SCT) regulations. Drawing on information processing theory (IPT), this study aims to show how blockchain technology can address information uncertainty and equivocality in assuring regulatory compliance in an interorganizational network (ION).

Design/methodology/approach

IPT is applied in a single case study of an ION in the mining industry that aimed to implement blockchain to address mandatory SCT regulations. The authors build on a rich proprietary data set consisting of interviews and substantial secondary material from actors along the supply chain.

Findings

The case shows that blockchain creates equality between actors, enables compliance and enhances efficiency in an ION, reducing information uncertainty and equivocality arising from conflict minerals regulation. The system promotes engagement and data sharing between parties while protecting commercial sensitive information. The lack of central authority prevents larger partners from taking control. The system provides mineral provenance and a regulation-compliant record. System cost analysis shows that the system is efficient as it is inexpensive relative to volumes and values of metals transacted. Issues were identified related to collecting richer human rights data for assurance and compliance with due diligence regulations.

Originality/value

The authors provide some of the first evidence in the operations and supply chain management literature of the specific architecture, costs and limitations of using blockchain for SCT. Using an IPT lens in an ION setting, the authors demonstrate how blockchain-based systems can address two key IPT challenges: environmental uncertainty and equivocality.

中文翻译：

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合规区块链：冲突矿物采购中强制供应链透明度的信息处理案例研究

目的

企业遵守强制性供应链透明度 (SCT) 法规的压力越来越大。本研究借鉴信息处理理论（IPT），旨在展示区块链技术如何解决信息不确定性和歧义性，以确保组织间网络（ION）的监管合规性。

设计/方法论/途径

IPT 应用在采矿业 ION 的单个案例研究中，旨在实施区块链来解决强制性 SCT 法规。作者建立在丰富的专有数据集的基础上，其中包括来自供应链参与者的采访和大量二手材料。

发现

该案例表明，区块链在参与者之间创造了平等，实现了合规性并提高了 ION 的效率，减少了冲突矿产监管带来的信息不确定性和歧义。该系统促进各方之间的参与和数据共享，同时保护商业敏感信息。由于缺乏中央权威，较大的合作伙伴无法取得控制权。该系统提供矿物来源和符合法规的记录。系统成本分析表明，该系统是高效的，因为相对于金属交易量和价值而言，它的成本较低。确定了与收集更丰富的人权数据以保证和遵守尽职调查法规有关的问题。

原创性/价值

作者在运营和供应链管理文献中提供了一些关于使用区块链进行 SCT 的具体架构、成本和限制的初步证据。作者在 ION 设置中使用 IPT 镜头，展示了基于区块链的系统如何解决两个关键的 IPT 挑战：环境不确定性和歧义性。