Research on Blockchain Technology for Enhancing Transparency in Supply Chain Management Practices in Construction Engineering

Léon Lili Zhang

doi:10.6919/ICJE.202601_12(1).0011

Authors

Léon Lili Zhang

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202601_12(1).0011

Keywords:

Blockchain Technology; Construction Supply Chain; Transparency Management; Smart Contracts; Supply Chain Traceability.

Abstract

This study explores how blockchain technology can help improve supply chains in the construction industry through managing transparency by systematically matching industry challenges with technological solutions. This research uses two publicly available datasets: the Dataset for Material Logistics on Construction Sites, which includes 55 construction professionals from Nigeria, and the Blockchain Adoption Challenges in Supply Chain dataset, which includes responses from supply chain practitioners from India and America who have experience with blockchain. For this analytical method, it encompasses integrating descriptive statistical analysis, cross-national comparative analysis, and problem-solution matching analysis to establish links between transparency deficits and blockchain capabilities. The results show that the most critical transparency problems are related to quality information asymmetry (4.87), price transparency insufficiency (4.71), and transportation problems (4.45), while 78% of construction professionals still rely on traditional work progress observations instead of using digital logistics tools. The blockchain adoption analysis shows that the main drivers for its adoption include enhancing supply chain visibility (4.72) and improving traceability of products and materials along the supply chain (4.65); there is also a notable difference across nations in terms of technical infrastructure readiness-4.50 for American respondents versus 4.12 for Indian respondents. The matching analysis indicated that among the blockchain features, data immutability, real-time tracking, smart contract automation, and distributed ledger sharing were found to address the identified construction supply chain transparency challenges. This research offers evidence in the form of a problem-solution matching framework to construction enterprises seeking guidance for informed decision-making on blockchain adoption during digital transformation initiatives.

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