Knowledge, diffusion and interest in blockchain technology in SMEs
Journal of Knowledge Management
ISSN: 1367-3270
Article publication date: 23 August 2021
Issue publication date: 28 April 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to understand the possible determinants of knowledge of, and interest in using, blockchain, with a particular focus in the future intention to apply this technology. Blockchain technology is deemed to radically change business models and processes. Using this technology in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is still a novel idea. Moreover, not much is known about the diffusion and level of interest towards blockchain in SMEs. This research adopts a knowledge management perspective, drawing on technology acceptance model to highlight the level of blockchain technology diffusion, and to explore which factors lead SMEs’ to adopt blockchain.
Design/methodology/approach
This study distributed a questionnaire to a sample of 300 SMEs in Italy. This study received 96 responses (32% response rate). This study calculated descriptive statistics and undertook a reliability analysis. Finally, this study performed a logistic regression to analyse the determinants of further intention to use blockchain technology.
Findings
Results show that blockchain technology is quite well known, but the level of knowledge is limited. Moreover, the research reveals that the rate of adoption is very low. Interest in the future adoption of blockchain is associated with knowledge, perception of usefulness and ease of use of blockchain.
Originality/value
This paper is one of the first explorative studies showing which factors lead SMEs to adopt blockchain technologies and shedding some light on the interaction between knowledge management and blockchain adoption and diffusion in SMEs. It highlights how blockchain knowledge could determine future interest in blockchain innovation. This paper is relevant for public and private institutions that aim to promote, through knowledge management, the adoption of blockchain in SMEs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thanks the editor in chief and the two anonymous referees for their support and encouragement during the process. They also wish to thanks Dr Beatrice Orlando for her comments on an earlier version of the paper. The paper is a joint effort of the authors, however the sections can be attributed as as follows: Sections 1, 7, and 8 to Enrico Bracci; Sections 2, 3, 5.4 and 6 to Mouhcine Tallaki; Sections 4, 5.3 and 5.5 to Riccardo Ievoli; Sections 5.1 and 5.2 to Sonia Diplotti.
Citation
Bracci, E., Tallaki, M., Ievoli, R. and Diplotti, S. (2022), "Knowledge, diffusion and interest in blockchain technology in SMEs", Journal of Knowledge Management, Vol. 26 No. 5, pp. 1386-1407. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-02-2021-0099
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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