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Accountability in permissioned blockchains: through the ledger, the code and the people

Mélissa Fortin (John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada) (École des Sciences de la Gestion, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, Canada)
Erica Pimentel (Smith School of Business, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada)
Emilio Boulianne (John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada)

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal

ISSN: 0951-3574

Article publication date: 26 December 2023

536

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores how introducing a permissioned blockchain in a supply chain context impacts accountability relationships and the process of rendering an account. The authors explore how implementing a digital transformation impacts the governance of network transactions.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors mobilize 28 interviews and documentary analysis. The authors focus on early blockchain adopters to get an insight into how implementing a permissioned blockchain can transform information sharing, coordination and collaboration between business partners, now converted into network participants.

Findings

The authors suggest that implementing a permissioned blockchain impacts accountability across three levers, namely through the ledger, through the code and through the people, where these levers are interconnected. Blockchains are often valued for their ability to enable transparency through the visibility of transactions, but the authors argue that this is an incomplete view. Rather, transparency alone does not help to satisfy a duty of accountability, as it can result in selective disclosure or obfuscation.

Originality/value

The authors extend the conceptualizations of accountability in the blockchain literature by focusing on how accountability relationships are enacted, and accounts are rendered in a permissioned blockchain context. Additionally, the authors complement existing work on accountability and governance by suggesting an integrated model across three dimensions: ledger, code and people.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Mélissa Fortin thanks the Quebec CPA Foundation and the Desjardins Centre for Innovation in Business Finance for their financial support. Emilio Boulianne thanks the KPMG Entrepreneurial Research Studies at the John Molson School of Business for financial support.

Citation

Fortin, M., Pimentel, E. and Boulianne, E. (2023), "Accountability in permissioned blockchains: through the ledger, the code and the people", Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-12-2022-6213

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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