IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/proeco/v283y2025ics0925527325000404.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Unlocking sustainable performance with blockchain technology: Insights from organizational learning theory

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Lixu
  • Hou, Yan
  • Chen, Lujie
  • Liu, Yaoqi
  • Trindade, Maria A.M.

Abstract

Although blockchain technology (BT) has shown great potential, there remains a limited understanding of how to integrate it into business processes effectively. Drawing on organizational learning theory, we explore the drivers and outcomes of effective BT usage. Using survey data from 257 Chinese firms, we reveal that effective BT usage, whether for exploitation or exploration, hinges on both external knowledge acquisition and internal knowledge integration. Additionally, although both exploitation and exploration of BT can enhance economic and environmental performance, BT exploitation generally has a more substantial impact. This disparity arises because BT exploitation often involves optimizing existing processes (e.g., improving supply chain transparency), leading to more immediate performance improvements. In contrast, BT exploration involves experimental and innovative applications (e.g., developing new BT-based business models) that require a longer time frame to realize benefits. Finally, we discuss the heterogeneity between manufacturing and information technology firms. Our study contributes to the existing literature by elucidating how firms can achieve sustainable outcomes through BT usage. Our findings also assist managers in adapting their BT strategies to an increasingly competitive environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Lixu & Hou, Yan & Chen, Lujie & Liu, Yaoqi & Trindade, Maria A.M., 2025. "Unlocking sustainable performance with blockchain technology: Insights from organizational learning theory," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:283:y:2025:i:c:s0925527325000404
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2025.109555
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527325000404
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ijpe.2025.109555?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ge, Shuang & Liu, Xielin, 2022. "The role of knowledge creation, absorption and acquisition in determining national competitive advantage," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    2. Li, Lixu & Zhu, Wenwen & Wei, Long & Yang, Shuili, 2022. "How can digital collaboration capability boost service innovation? Evidence from the information technology industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    3. Li, Yina & Liao, Anni & Li, Lixu & Zhang, Min & Zhao, Xiande & Ye, Fei, 2023. "Reinforcing or weakening? The role of blockchain technology in the link between consumer trust and organic food adoption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    4. Huigang Liang & Nianxin Wang & Yajiong Xue, 2022. "Juggling Information Technology (IT) Exploration and Exploitation: A Proportional Balance View of IT Ambidexterity," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 33(4), pages 1386-1402, December.
    5. Sara Saberi & Mahtab Kouhizadeh & Joseph Sarkis & Lejia Shen, 2019. "Blockchain technology and its relationships to sustainable supply chain management," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 2117-2135, April.
    6. Ye, Fei & Liu, Ke & Li, Lixu & Lai, Kee-Hung & Zhan, Yuanzhu & Kumar, Ajay, 2022. "Digital supply chain management in the COVID-19 crisis: An asset orchestration perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    7. Mohammad Alghababsheh & David Gallear & Mushfiqur Rahman, 2020. "Balancing the Scales of Justice: Do Perceptions of Buyers’ Justice Drive Suppliers’ Social Performance?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(1), pages 125-150, April.
    8. Christoph Grimpe & Ulrich Kaiser, 2010. "Balancing Internal and External Knowledge Acquisition: The Gains and Pains from R&D Outsourcing," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(8), pages 1483-1509, December.
    9. Fosso Wamba, Samuel & Queiroz, Maciel M. & Trinchera, Laura, 2020. "Dynamics between blockchain adoption determinants and supply chain performance: An empirical investigation," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    10. Rameshwar Dubey & Angappa Gunasekaran & David J. Bryde & Yogesh K. Dwivedi & Thanos Papadopoulos, 2020. "Blockchain technology for enhancing swift-trust, collaboration and resilience within a humanitarian supply chain setting," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(11), pages 3381-3398, June.
    11. Guanghui Zhou & Chao Zhang & Zhi Li & Kai Ding & Chuang Wang, 2020. "Knowledge-driven digital twin manufacturing cell towards intelligent manufacturing," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(4), pages 1034-1051, February.
    12. Yao Cui & Vishal Gaur & Jingchen Liu, 2024. "Supply Chain Transparency and Blockchain Design," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 70(5), pages 3245-3263, May.
    13. Shivam Gupta & Sachin Modgil & Tsan-Ming Choi & Ajay Kumar & Jiju Antony, 2023. "Influences of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology on financial resilience of supply chains," Post-Print hal-04325728, HAL.
    14. Konstantinos Grigoriou & Frank T. Rothaermel, 2017. "Organizing for knowledge generation: internal knowledge networks and the contingent effect of external knowledge sourcing," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(2), pages 395-414, February.
    15. Jiménez-Jiménez, Daniel & Sanz-Valle, Raquel, 2011. "Innovation, organizational learning, and performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 64(4), pages 408-417, April.
    16. Chin, Tachia & Wang, Wannan & Yang, Meng & Duan, Yunlong & Chen, Yantai, 2021. "The moderating effect of managerial discretion on blockchain technology and the firms’ innovation quality: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing firms," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    17. Beat Reber & Agnes Gold & Stefan Gold, 2022. "ESG Disclosure and Idiosyncratic Risk in Initial Public Offerings," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(3), pages 867-886, September.
    18. Ying Liao & Erika Marsillac, 2015. "External knowledge acquisition and innovation: the role of supply chain network-oriented flexibility and organisational awareness," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(18), pages 5437-5455, September.
    19. Upadhyay, Nitin, 2020. "Demystifying blockchain: A critical analysis of challenges, applications and opportunities," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    20. Paul E. Bierly & Fariborz Damanpour & Michael D. Santoro, 2009. "The Application of External Knowledge: Organizational Conditions for Exploration and Exploitation," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 481-509, May.
    21. Gupta, Shivam & Modgil, Sachin & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Kumar, Ajay & Antony, Jiju, 2023. "Influences of artificial intelligence and blockchain technology on financial resilience of supply chains," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 261(C).
    22. Chang, Dae Ryun & Cho, Hang, 2008. "Organizational memory influences new product success," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 13-23, January.
    23. Yanling Chang & Eleftherios Iakovou & Weidong Shi, 2020. "Blockchain in global supply chains and cross border trade: a critical synthesis of the state-of-the-art, challenges and opportunities," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2082-2099, April.
    24. Jiang, Rong & Kang, Yuanjie & Liu, Yongsong & Liang, Zhihong & Duan, Yunlong & Sun, Yani & Liu, Jialan, 2022. "A trust transitivity model of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises under blockchain-based supply chain finance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    25. Kathleen M. Eisenhardt & Jeffrey A. Martin, 2000. "Dynamic capabilities: what are they?," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(10‐11), pages 1105-1121, October.
    26. Yousefi, Samuel & Mohamadpour Tosarkani, Babak, 2022. "An analytical approach for evaluating the impact of blockchain technology on sustainable supply chain performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    27. Schlecht, Laura & Schneider, Sabrina & Buchwald, Arne, 2021. "The prospective value creation potential of Blockchain in business models: A delphi study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    28. Johannes Luger & Sebastian Raisch & Markus Schimmer, 2018. "Dynamic Balancing of Exploration and Exploitation: The Contingent Benefits of Ambidexterity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(3), pages 449-470, June.
    29. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Sharma, Rohit, 2020. "Modeling the blockchain enabled traceability in agriculture supply chain," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    30. Zhang, Kun & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Chung, Sai-Ho & Dai, Yue & Wen, Xin, 2024. "Blockchain adoption in retail operations: Stablecoins and traceability," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 315(1), pages 147-160.
    31. Kamble, Sachin S. & Gunasekaran, Angappa & Gawankar, Shradha A., 2020. "Achieving sustainable performance in a data-driven agriculture supply chain: A review for research and applications," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C), pages 179-194.
    32. Elina H. Hwang & David Krackhardt, 2020. "Online Knowledge Communities: Breaking or Sustaining Knowledge Silos?," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(1), pages 138-155, January.
    33. Roy, Vivek & Silvestre, Bruno S. & Singh, Shubham, 2020. "Reactive and proactive pathways to sustainable apparel supply chains: Manufacturer's perspective on stakeholder salience and organizational learning toward responsible management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    34. Hengky Latan & Ana Beatriz Lopes de Sousa Jabbour & Joseph Sarkis & Charbel Jose Chiappetta Jabbour & Murad Ali, 2024. "The Nexus of Supply Chain Performance and Blockchain Technology in the Digitalization Era: Insights from a Fast-Growing Economy," Post-Print hal-04432403, HAL.
    35. Kouhizadeh, Mahtab & Saberi, Sara & Sarkis, Joseph, 2021. "Blockchain technology and the sustainable supply chain: Theoretically exploring adoption barriers," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    36. Li, Lixu & Chen, Lujie & Liu, Yaoqi, 2024. "Digital governance for supplier opportunism: The mediating role of supplier transparency," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    37. Sachin S. Kamble & Angappa Gunasekaran & Nachiappan Subramanian & Abhijeet Ghadge & Amine Belhadi & Mani Venkatesh, 2023. "Blockchain technology’s impact on supply chain integration and sustainable supply chain performance: evidence from the automotive industry," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 575-600, August.
    38. Linda Argote & Manpreet Hora, 2017. "Organizational Learning and Management of Technology," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 26(4), pages 579-590, April.
    39. Vijaya Venkataramani & Chaoying Tang, 2024. "When Does External Knowledge Benefit Team Creativity? The Role of Internal Team Network Structure and Task Complexity," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(1), pages 92-115, January.
    40. Benzidia, Smaïl & Makaoui, Naouel & Subramanian, Nachiappan, 2021. "Impact of ambidexterity of blockchain technology and social factors on new product development: A supply chain and Industry 4.0 perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    41. Perona, Marco & Miragliotta, Giovanni, 2004. "Complexity management and supply chain performance assessment. A field study and a conceptual framework," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 103-115, July.
    42. Sahebi, Iman Ghasemian & Masoomi, Behzad & Ghorbani, Shahryar, 2020. "Expert oriented approach for analyzing the blockchain adoption barriers in humanitarian supply chain," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    43. Pattanayak, Sirsha & Ramkumar, M. & Goswami, Mohit & Rana, Nripendra P., 2024. "Blockchain technology and supply chain performance: The role of trust and relational capabilities," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    44. repec:bla:jomstd:v:47:y:2010:i:s2:p:1483-1509 is not listed on IDEAS
    45. Dirk De Clercq & Dimo Dimov, 2008. "Internal Knowledge Development and External Knowledge Access in Venture Capital Investment Performance," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(3), pages 585-612, May.
    46. Franzò, Simone & Doppio, Nicola & Natalicchio, Angelo & Frattini, Federico & Mion, Luca, 2023. "Designing innovation contests to support external knowledge search in small and medium-sized enterprises," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    47. Jorge A. Arevalo & Deepa Aravind, 2017. "Strategic Outcomes in Voluntary CSR: Reporting Economic and Reputational Benefits in Principles-Based Initiatives," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(1), pages 201-217, August.
    48. Anthony J. Dibella & Edwin C. Nevis & Janet M. Gould, 1996. "Understanding Organizational Learning Capability," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(3), pages 361-379, May.
    49. Chunguang Bai & Joseph Sarkis, 2020. "A supply chain transparency and sustainability technology appraisal model for blockchain technology," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2142-2162, April.
    50. Kevin Zheng Zhou & Caroline Bingxin Li, 2012. "How knowledge affects radical innovation: Knowledge base, market knowledge acquisition, and internal knowledge sharing," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(9), pages 1090-1102, September.
    51. Latan, Hengky & Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Sarkis, Joseph & Chiappetta Jabbour, Charbel Jose & Ali, Murad, 2024. "The nexus of supply chain performance and blockchain technology in the digitalization era: Insights from a fast-growing economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    52. Di Vaio, Assunta & Palladino, Rosa & Pezzi, Alberto & Kalisz, David E., 2021. "The role of digital innovation in knowledge management systems: A systematic literature review," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 220-231.
    53. Yu, Wantao & Jacobs, Mark A. & Salisbury, W. David & Enns, Harvey, 2013. "The effects of supply chain integration on customer satisfaction and financial performance: An organizational learning perspective," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 146(1), pages 346-358.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Rizwan Manzoor & B. S. Sahay & Sujeet Kumar Singh, 2025. "Blockchain technology in supply chain management: an organizational theoretic overview and research agenda," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 348(3), pages 1307-1354, May.
    2. Bai, Chunguang & Sarkis, Joseph, 2022. "A critical review of formal analytical modeling for blockchain technology in production, operations, and supply chains: Harnessing progress for future potential," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    3. Pattanayak, Sirsha & Ramkumar, M. & Goswami, Mohit & Rana, Nripendra P., 2024. "Blockchain technology and supply chain performance: The role of trust and relational capabilities," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    4. Kirti Nayal & Rakesh D. Raut & Balkrishna E. Narkhede & Pragati Priyadarshinee & Gajanan B. Panchal & Vidyadhar V. Gedam, 2023. "Antecedents for blockchain technology-enabled sustainable agriculture supply chain," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 293-337, August.
    5. Kaustov Chakraborty & Arindam Ghosh & Saurabh Pratap, 2023. "Adoption of blockchain technology in supply chain operations: a comprehensive literature study analysis," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 1989-2007, December.
    6. Antonello Cammarano & Vincenzo Varriale & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2023. "Blockchain as enabling factor for implementing RFID and IoT technologies in VMI: a simulation on the Parmigiano Reggiano supply chain," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 726-754, June.
    7. Yadav, Amit Kumar & Shweta, & Kumar, Dinesh, 2023. "Blockchain technology and vaccine supply chain: Exploration and analysis of the adoption barriers in the Indian context," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    8. Büyüközkan, Gülçin & Tüfekçi, Gizem & Uztürk, Deniz, 2021. "Evaluating Blockchain requirements for effective digital supply chain management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 242(C).
    9. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Siqin, Tana, 2022. "Blockchain in logistics and production from Blockchain 1.0 to Blockchain 5.0: An intra-inter-organizational framework," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    10. Zhao, Nanyang & Hong, Jiangtao & Lau, Kwok Hung, 2023. "Impact of supply chain digitalization on supply chain resilience and performance: A multi-mediation model," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    11. Qingyu Zhang & Salman Khan & Safeer Ullah Khan & Ikram Ullah Khan, 2023. "Understanding Blockchain Technology Adoption in Operation and Supply Chain Management of Pakistan: Extending UTAUT Model With Technology Readiness, Technology Affinity and Trust," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, October.
    12. Ulpan Tokkozhina & Ana Lucia Martins & Joao C. Ferreira, 2023. "Uncovering dimensions of the impact of blockchain technology in supply chain management," Operations Management Research, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 99-125, March.
    13. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & Steve Simske & Horst Treiblmaier, 2021. "Blockchain Technologies in Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric Review," Logistics, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-28, October.
    14. Vincenzo Varriale & Antonello Cammarano & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2020. "The Unknown Potential of Blockchain for Sustainable Supply Chains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.
    15. Zhu, Qingyun & Bai, Chunguang & Sarkis, Joseph, 2022. "Blockchain technology and supply chains: The paradox of the atheoretical research discourse," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    16. Ajay Kumar Pandey & Yash Daultani & Saurabh Pratap, 2024. "Blockchain technology enabled critical success factors for supply chain resilience and sustainability," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1533-1554, February.
    17. Yousefi, Samuel & Khodoomi, Mohammad Reza & Tosarkani, Babak Mohamadpour, 2025. "Data-driven robust strategic sourcing considering supply-side competition: Insights into blockchain adoption for coordination," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    18. Abdullah Kaid Al-Swidi & Mohammed A Al-Hakimi & Hussam Al Halbusi & Jaithen Abdullah Al Harbi & Hamood Mohammed Al-Hattami, 2024. "Does blockchain technology matter for supply chain resilience in dynamic environments? The role of supply chain integration," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(1), pages 1-22, January.
    19. Fatma Gül Yazıcılar Sola & Dilşad Güzel, 2025. "The Role of Supply Chain Transparency and Supplier Trust in the Impact of Blockchain Technology Adoption on New Product Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-31, June.
    20. Yousefi, Samuel & Mohamadpour Tosarkani, Babak, 2022. "An analytical approach for evaluating the impact of blockchain technology on sustainable supply chain performance," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:proeco:v:283:y:2025:i:c:s0925527325000404. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/ijpe .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.