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Blockchain-Enabled Deep-Tier Supply Chain Finance

Author

Listed:
  • Lingxiu Dong

    (Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63130)

  • Yunzhe Qiu

    (Department of Information Management, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China)

  • Fasheng Xu

    (Whitman School of Management, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244)

Abstract

Problem definition: For many supply chains, deep-tier suppliers, due to their small size and lack of access to capital, are most vulnerable to disruptions. We study the use of advance payment (AP) as a financing instrument in a multitier supply chain to mitigate the supply disruption risk in a traditional system (with limited visibility) and a blockchain-enabled system (with perfect visibility). The main goal of this paper is to shed light on how blockchain adoption impacts agents’ operational and financial decisions as well as profit levels in a multitier supply chain. Academic/practical relevance: Traditionally, because of the limited visibility in the deep tiers, powerful downstream manufacturers’ financing schemes offered to their immediate upstream suppliers are not effective in instilling capital into the deep tiers. Advancements in blockchain technology improve the supply chain visibility and enable the manufacturer to better devise deep-tier financing to improve supply chain resilience. Methodology: We develop a three-tier supply chain model and take a game-theoretic approach to compare how blockchain-enabled deep-tier financing schemes affect a financially constrained supply chain’s optimal risk-mitigation and financial strategies. Results: We find that although improved visibility via blockchain adoption can help the manufacturer make informed supply chain financing decisions, whether it can benefit all supply chain members depends on the financing schemes in use. Blockchain-enabled delegate financing increases risk-mitigation investments and benefits all three tiers of the supply chain only when the tier 2 supplier is severely capital-constrained with the working capital below a threshold. Because delegate financing endows the intermediary tier 1 supplier with leverage over the manufacturer, the inefficiency inhibits an all-win outcome when the tier 2 supplier is not severely capital-constrained. Blockchain-enabled cross-tier direct financing exhibits a compelling performance as it always leads to win-win-win outcomes (and is thus ubiquitously implementable) regardless of the suppliers’ working capital profile. Managerial implications: Our insights help firms assess opportunities and challenges associated with enhancing supply chain visibility via blockchain adoption.

Suggested Citation

  • Lingxiu Dong & Yunzhe Qiu & Fasheng Xu, 2023. "Blockchain-Enabled Deep-Tier Supply Chain Finance," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 25(6), pages 2021-2037, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormsom:v:25:y:2023:i:6:p:2021-2037
    DOI: 10.1287/msom.2022.1123
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    3. Rogalski, Timo & Schiereck, Dirk, 2025. "When is blockchain worth it? Value and risk drivers of corporate blockchain announcements," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 154097, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
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    9. Li, Dengjia & Ma, Chaoqun & Li, Hao & Yang, Jinglan, 2024. "The adoption of blockchain and financing constraints: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB).
    10. Yan, Ji & Gui, Qinchang & Jiang, Sitong & Yu, Zihao & Fernandes, Kieran & Tian, Kun & Xia, Senmao & Gong, Yu, 2025. "How does blockchain application impact on supply chain alliance?," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    11. Liu, Lu & Zhang, Wenhao & Li, Yongjian & Chen, Ting & Sun, Yuying, 2025. "Optimal financing amid supply chain resilience: 3PL, partial guarantee, or trade credit?," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    12. Xie, Xiaofeng & Xu, Xun & Zhang, Chong & Zhang, Fengying, 2025. "Enhancing a triple capital-constrained supply chain performance: Alliance financing, profit distribution, and information structure," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    13. Li, Yuanyuan & Zhang, Yindan & Geng, Liping, 2024. "Digital finance, financing constraints and supply chain resilience," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    14. Wang, Liukai & Xie, Xinru & Kong, Xinyi & Xiong, Yu, 2026. "Navigating the ecosystem innovation: The impact of digital technology adoption in supply chain finance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    15. Mishra, Abhinay & Kundu, Tanmoy & Kapoor, Rohit & Goh, Mark, 2025. "Blockchain adoption in cross-border cold supply chains: Cost, Efficiency and Trust," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 201(C).
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