Rethinking operations and supply chain management in the blockchain era: Insights and research directions

This editorial introduces the Special Issue on “Rethinking Operations and Supply Chain Management in the Blockchain Era” published in the International Journal of Production Economics. The Special Issue brings together 15 papers that collectively advance theoretical, empirical, and practical understanding of blockchain's transformative role in operations and supply chain management. Drawing upon their contributions, the papers are clustered into three thematic areas: (1) blockchain for governance and coordination; (2) blockchain for digital capabilities and performance; and (3) blockchain for sustainability and institutional legitimacy. Building on these clusters, the editorial proposes an integrative framework and research agenda that calls for multi-level, longitudinal, and data-driven approaches connecting blockchain's technical, organizational, and institutional dimensions. The findings highlight blockchain's potential to enable more transparent, resilient, and sustainable operations systems and supply chains while recognizing the managerial, technological, and institutional challenges that accompany its widespread adoption.