Applications of Blockchain Technology in International Trade and Supply Chain Management: A Systematic Literature Review

Blockchain technology has the potential for a huge impact in international trade and supply chain management by improving trust, fostering increased collaboration, efficiency, and transparency. Yet, blockchain technology has not been widely adopted because of numerous implementation difficulties. In this this paperwe have conducted a systematic literature review between 2013 and September 2023, retrieved 2300 results. These were screened based on inclusion/exclusion criteria relating to publication type, language, and relevance to identify 180 studies for in-depth thematic analysis. The thematic analysis identified four key areas: The first, Regulation and Governance, calls for empirical data to be gathered on the effectiveness and impact of blockchain in supply chains. The second, Smoothness and Transparency, examines the multifaceted opportunities for blockchain in supply chains, such as its combination with artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices and its potential to open up global markets. The third theme, Traceability and Authentication, examines how the blockchain can be applied in such industries as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and logistics wherein security, traces and transparency are key. The fourth, Trust and collaboration examines blockchain in supply chain management and fintech, highlighting its role in decentralized system adoption and acceptance of supply chain incentives. This study's findings illustrate the most prominent feature of each key area, enhancing the understanding of the impacts of blockchain technology on international trade and supply chain management.