Abstract
Blockchain Technology (BCT) has emerged as a transformative force in supply chain (SC)operations, offering new ways to address critical challenges such as food fraud, traceability and safety. Despite growing interest, there remains limited empirical evidence on how BCT is perceived and implemented within specific national and sectoral contexts. This study addresses this gap by exploring how BCT is understood, adopted, and applied in the Mexican food processing industry, focusing particularly on its implications for inter-organisational relationships, food integrity, and innovation systems.The research employed a mixed methods approach to explore these dynamics. A total of 37 usable survey responses were collected from SC managers across the Mexican food industry, followed by ten semi-structured interviews with BCT experts and practitioners. A prior pilot study involving eight participants helped refine both research instruments. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic synthesis, while qualitative responses were examined using reflexive thematic analysis. The two phases were designed to operate sequentially and in tandem, enabling methodological triangulation.
Findings reveal that BCT is widely perceived as enhancing SC visibility, improving food safety, and reducing fraud through transparent and immutable data sharing. While most respondents agreed on the transformative potential of BCT, the study also found uncertainty among non-adopters regarding its cost, complexity and strategic value. Managers who had implemented BCT reported fewer concerns, suggesting that prior experience reduces perceived barriers. Experts highlighted the limitations of BCT in addressing deeply embedded systemic issues such as fraud, pointing to the need for institutional collaboration and stakeholder education.
The study makes two significant theoretical contributions. First, it advances Agency Theory by showing that BCT not only reduces information asymmetries but also redefines accountability structures within SC relationships, promoting co-responsibility rather than mere compliance. Second, the research extends the Triple Helix Model by revealing a weak engagement from government and academia in Mexico’s BCT innovation ecosystem, suggesting the need for stronger intermediary roles and multi-stakeholder collaboration to drive adoption.
Practically, the thesis offers several policy and managerial recommendations to support the integration of BCT in emerging markets. These include improving digital infrastructure, fostering public–private partnerships, and addressing skill gaps. The validated survey and interview tools developed for this study can be adapted for use in other SC contexts where attitudes toward BCT adoption are under investigation.
| Date of Award | Aug 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Jose Christian (Supervisor) & Kamila Walters (Supervisor) |