Abstract
Blockchain is considered by many to be a disruptive core technology. Although many researchers have realized the importance of blockchain, the research of blockchain is still in its infancy. Consequently, this study reviews the current academic research on blockchain, especially in the subject area of business and economics. Based on a systematic review of the literature retrieved from the Web of Science service, we explore the top-cited articles, most productive countries, and most common keywords. Additionally, we conduct a clustering analysis and identify the following five research themes: “economic benefit,” “blockchain technology,” “initial coin offerings,” “fintech revolution,” and “sharing economy.” Recommendations on future research directions and practical applications are also provided in this paper.
Highlights
The concepts of bitcoin and blockchain were first proposed in 2008 by someone using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, who described how cryptology and an open distributed ledger can be combined into a digital currency application (Nakamoto 2008)
The application of blockchain technology has extended from digital currency and into finance, and it has even gradually extended into health care, supply chain management, market monitoring, smart energy, and copyright protection (Engelhardt 2017; Hyvarinen et al 2017; Kim and Laskowski 2018; O'Dair and Beaven 2017; Radanovic and Likic 2018; Savelyev 2018)
This paper reviews 756 articles related to blockchain on the Web of Science Core Collection
Summary
The concepts of bitcoin and blockchain were first proposed in 2008 by someone using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, who described how cryptology and an open distributed ledger can be combined into a digital currency application (Nakamoto 2008). The application of blockchain technology has extended from digital currency and into finance, and it has even gradually extended into health care, supply chain management, market monitoring, smart energy, and copyright protection (Engelhardt 2017; Hyvarinen et al 2017; Kim and Laskowski 2018; O'Dair and Beaven 2017; Radanovic and Likic 2018; Savelyev 2018). Strateg Change Brief Entrep Finance 26(5):471480 O'Dair M, Owen R (2019) Financing new creative enterprise through blockchain technology: opportunities and policy implications. Technol Forecast Soc Chang 125:105–115 Pieroni A, Scarpato N, Di Nunzio L, Fallucchi F, Raso M (2018) Smarter city: smart energy grid based on blockchain technology.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
