The impact of blockchain technology : Enhancing sustainable supply chain management in Finnish manufacturing industries.

Sustainable supply chain management is becoming a significant issue primarily a result of glob- alization and is being studied in-depth throughout the supply chain, manufacturing, and logis- tics industries. As a result, increasing concerns about the effects on the environment, social responsibility, and economic sustainability gave rise to the idea of sustainable supply chain management, or SSCM. Because of this, it can be very difficult to effectively address issues of transparency, accountability, and traceability in traditional supply chains. Therefore, to ad- dress it, a digitally advanced technology called ‘blockchain’ is a possible way to improve SSCM because of its decentralized, immutable, and transparent characteristics. Moreover, it signifi- cantly contributes to utilizing data and transaction recording on a distributed record of trans- actions, improving transparency, traceability, and accountability, and minimizing inefficiencies. The thesis investigates how blockchain technology could eventually be used for sustainable supply chain management in the Finnish manufacturing sector, with particular focus on how it may contribute to operational efficiency, traceability, and transparency, as well as the ultimate goal of financial benefits to be acquired. Also, this research tried to investigate precisely how block chain technology could improve supply chain sustainability in the industrial sector of Finland. Therefore, to accomplish it, the thesis has performed a cross-case analysis of seven Finnish businesses. The research glimpses into the variables that affect the adoption of block chain technology, as well as the problems and advantages that may become apparent. In the context of data collection, the thesis has incorporated a combination of quantitative and quali- tative methods. The study includes interviews with important participants, including supply chain managers, sustainability officers, and IT specialists from different Finnish manufacturing firms. Furthermore, websites, industry statistics, and corporate reports are the sources of sec- ondary data. Methodological techniques were employed to examine the data obtained from surveys and interviews. The results were then presented in the form of tables, charts, and graphs to facilitate comprehension and reinforce the topic under consideration. The findings reveal that Finnish manufacturers perceive blockchain’s promise for monitoring raw materials, enhancing risk management, and facilitating more ethical sourcing procedures. This appears to be particularly significant for those in the renewable energy, maritime innova- tion, and sustainable fuel production categories. Nonetheless, the majority of businesses are still in the trial or experimental stages of putting blockchain into practice, while other compa- nies are depending more on already-in-place technology, including ERP, SAP, and IoT.