The moderating role of organizational readiness on the blockchain adoption in supply chain among Saudi SMEs

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the moderating role of Organizational Readiness (OR) in the relationship between Supply Chain Agility (SCA) and Blockchain Adoption Intention (BAI) among these SMEs, drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. The study adopts a positivist approach and a cross-sectional design to explore how organizational readiness moderates blockchain adoption in Saudi SMEs. It uses a quantitative methodology, surveying decision-makers from SMEs engaged in supply chain activities to gather data. Data analysis is performed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study's findings indicate that Operational Supply Chain Transparency (OSCT) impacts Supply Chain Alignment (SCL), Supply Chain Adaptability (SCD), SCA, and BAI. Moreover, there is a positive influence of SCL on SCD and SCA. SCA also significantly influences BAI. Furthermore, the moderation analysis shows that OR significantly affects the SCA-BAI relationship, indicating that higher OR amplifies the positive impact of supply chain agility on blockchain adoption intention, underscoring the critical roles of supply chain factors and OR in blockchain adoption among SMEs. Based on the RBV theory, the study delves into how constructs like SCL, OSCT, SCD, and SCA are influenced by blockchain technology. It assesses the extent to which these factors would impact the propensity of SMEs to implement blockchain yet explores the moderating influence of OR on this dynamic.