IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/elmark/v35y2025i1d10.1007_s12525-025-00782-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Cultivating trust: An empirical exploration of blockchain’s adoption within the Italian wine supply chain

Author

Listed:
  • Virginia Fani

    (University of Florence)

  • Federica Ciccullo

    (Politecnico Di Milano)

  • Romeo Bandinelli

    (University of Florence)

  • Margherita Pero

    (Politecnico Di Milano)

Abstract

Supply chain traceability and transparency, coupled with supply chain automation, emerge as pivotal challenges for businesses aiming to enhance information security while minimizing human error. The wine industry, characterized by a fragmented supply chain, low digital integration, and limited trust among stakeholders, coupled with a significant risk of counterfeiting, presents one of the most daunting contexts for this initiative. In this context, blockchain technology stands out as a promising solution to enhance traceability and transparency of information, thereby potentially increasing trust within the supply chain. This study explores two key questions: how blockchain impacts trust along the wine supply chain (RQ1), and which barriers hinder its adoption (RQ2)? A mixed-methods approach was employed. First, a survey of 67 Italian wine companies analyzed the current level of trust along the supply chain, examining typologies, duration of the relationships, and evolution from upstream to downstream. Second, in-depth interviews on four blockchain projects provided insights into how the technology has been implemented to enhance trust. To investigate adoption barriers, a multiple-case study was conducted, involving three potential adopters and four real adopters of blockchain technology in Italy. Findings reveal critical barriers such as technological gaps and limited digital competencies, as well as strategies for overcoming them through IoT integration and intermediary involvement. This study advances the academic discourse by offering empirical evidence on blockchain’s potential to reshape trust dynamics in the wine supply chain. It also presents managerial recommendations for overcoming adoption barriers and enhancing supply chain transparency and trustworthiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Virginia Fani & Federica Ciccullo & Romeo Bandinelli & Margherita Pero, 2025. "Cultivating trust: An empirical exploration of blockchain’s adoption within the Italian wine supply chain," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 35(1), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elmark:v:35:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12525-025-00782-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s12525-025-00782-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12525-025-00782-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s12525-025-00782-y?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. Bojana Malisic & Nemanja Misic & Srdjan Krco & Aleksandra Martinovic & Sandra Tinaj & Tomo Popovic, 2023. "Blockchain Adoption in the Wine Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Montecchi, Matteo & Plangger, Kirk & Etter, Michael, 2019. "It’s real, trust me! Establishing supply chain provenance using blockchain," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 283-293.
    3. Chen, R. & Chen, K. & Ou, Carol, 2023. "Facilitating interorganizational trust in strategic alliances by leveraging blockchain-based systems: Case studies of two eastern banks," Other publications TiSEM 85ecf99c-76f0-416e-9604-d, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    4. Jonas Wanner & Lukas-Valentin Herm & Kai Heinrich & Christian Janiesch, 2022. "The effect of transparency and trust on intelligent system acceptance: Evidence from a user-based study," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 2079-2102, December.
    5. Aichih (Jasmine) Chang & Nesreen El-Rayes & Jim Shi, 2022. "Blockchain Technology for Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Review," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 1(2), pages 1-15, June.
    6. Pascal Hamm & Michael Klesel & Patricia Coberger & H. Felix Wittmann, 2023. "Explanation matters: An experimental study on explainable AI," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-21, December.
    7. Eugenio Pomarici & Alessandro Corsi & Simonetta Mazzarino & Roberta Sardone, 2021. "The Italian Wine Sector: Evolution, Structure, Competitiveness and Future Challenges of an Enduring Leader," Italian Economic Journal: A Continuation of Rivista Italiana degli Economisti and Giornale degli Economisti, Springer;Società Italiana degli Economisti (Italian Economic Association), vol. 7(2), pages 259-295, July.
    8. Helliar, Christine V. & Crawford, Louise & Rocca, Laura & Teodori, Claudio & Veneziani, Monica, 2020. "Permissionless and permissioned blockchain diffusion," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    9. Hachmi Ben Ameur & Zied Ftiti & Eric Le Fur, 2024. "What can we learn from the analysis of the fine wines market efficiency?," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(1), pages 703-718, January.
    10. Paula Heeß & Jakob Rockstuhl & Marc-Fabian Körner & Jens Strüker, 2024. "Enhancing trust in global supply chains: Conceptualizing Digital Product Passports for a low-carbon hydrogen market," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-20, December.
    11. repec:eme:mrn000:01409170210782990 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. Nino Adamashvili & Radu State & Caterina Tricase & Mariantonietta Fiore, 2021. "Blockchain-Based Wine Supply Chain for the Industry Advancement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    13. Gloria Luzzani & Erica Grandis & Marco Frey & Ettore Capri, 2021. "Blockchain Technology in Wine Chain for Collecting and Addressing Sustainable Performance: An Exploratory Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    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. Giulia Chiaraluce & Deborah Bentivoglio & Adele Finco & Mariantonietta Fiore & Francesco Contò & Antonino Galati, 2024. "Exploring the role of blockchain technology in modern high-value food supply chains: global trends and future research directions," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Leonardo Banh & Gero Strobel, 2023. "Generative artificial intelligence," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-17, December.
    3. 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).
    4. Giorgio Scarton & Marco Formentini & Pietro Romano, 2025. "Automating quality control through an expert system," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 35(1), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Cozzio, Claudia & Viglia, Giampaolo & Lemarie, Linda & Cerutti, Stefania, 2023. "Toward an integration of blockchain technology in the food supply chain," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    6. Bojana Malisic & Nemanja Misic & Srdjan Krco & Aleksandra Martinovic & Sandra Tinaj & Tomo Popovic, 2023. "Blockchain Adoption in the Wine Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-16, September.
    7. Kongmanas Yavaprabhas & Mehrdokht Pournader & Stefan Seuring, 2023. "Blockchain as the “trust-building machine” for supply chain management," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 327(1), pages 49-88, August.
    8. Lovina Yogarajan & Mohammad Masukujjaman & Mohd Helmi Ali & Norlin Khalid & Lokhman Hakim Osman & Syed Shah Alam, 2023. "Exploring the Hype of Blockchain Adoption in Agri-Food Supply Chain: A Systematic Literature Review," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-24, May.
    9. Sotiris P. Gayialis & Evripidis P. Kechagias & Georgios A. Papadopoulos & Nikolaos A. Panayiotou, 2022. "A Business Process Reference Model for the Development of a Wine Traceability System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-23, September.
    10. Raffaele Fabio Ciriello & Alexandra Cecilie Gjøl Torbensen & Magnus Rotvit Perlt Hansen & Christoph Müller-Bloch, 2023. "Blockchain-based digital rights management systems: Design principles for the music industry," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-21, December.
    11. Resce, Giuliano & Vaquero-Piñeiro, Cristina, 2022. "Predicting agri-food quality across space: A Machine Learning model for the acknowledgment of Geographical Indications," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    12. Teck Ming Tan & Saila Saraniemi, 2023. "Trust in blockchain-enabled exchanges: Future directions in blockchain marketing," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 51(4), pages 914-939, July.
    13. Moslem Alimohammadlou & Saeed Alinejad, 2025. "Challenges of blockchain implementation in SMEs’ supply chains: an integrated IT2F-BWM and IT2F-DEMATEL method," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 907-949, April.
    14. Giovanna Centorrino & Guido Noto & Daniela Rupo, 2022. "Management control in inter-firm relationships: Opportunities and challenges of blockchain technology adoption," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(3), pages 65-88.
    15. Simona Stojanova & Nina Cvar & Jurij Verhovnik & Nataša Božić & Jure Trilar & Andrej Kos & Emilija Stojmenova Duh, 2022. "Rural Digital Innovation Hubs as a Paradigm for Sustainable Business Models in Europe’s Rural Areas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, November.
    16. Gang Li & Qifeng Yuan & Xiao Liu & Wei Zhan & Shuya Yang, 2025. "Measuring Intra-Urban Innovation Space from the Unit-Network Perspective: A Case Study of Guangzhou," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-22, February.
    17. Muen Uddin & Shitharth Selvarajan & Muath Obaidat & Shams Ul Arfeen & Alaa O. Khadidos & Adil O. Khadidos & Maha Abdelhaq, 2023. "From Hype to Reality: Unveiling the Promises, Challenges and Opportunities of Blockchain in Supply Chain Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-24, August.
    18. Sun, Yi & Jiang, Shiqing & Jia, Wanjiao & Wang, Yu, 2022. "Blockchain as a cutting-edge technology impacting business: A systematic literature review perspective," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(10).
    19. Marzia Ingrassia & Stefania Chironi & Giuseppe Lo Grasso & Luciano Gristina & Nicola Francesca & Simona Bacarella & Pietro Columba & Luca Altamore, 2022. "Is Environmental Sustainability Also “Economically Efficient”? The Case of the “SOStain” Certification for Sicilian Sparkling Wines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-26, June.
    20. Idiano D'Adamo & Edouard Nicolas Rossi, 2025. "Impact of regional investment on the sustainable development goals: A group analysis of economic and territorial development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 1816-1834, April.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Blockchain; Transparency; Trust; Supply chain; Wine;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Y - Miscellaneous Categories

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:spr:elmark:v:35:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12525-025-00782-y. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    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.