Twelfth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

According to “Investing in Global Prospects 2018” from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the future of development cooperation will largely depend on digitalization as innovative technologies offer opportunities for stimulating sustainable and inclusive growth in the face of climate change. In the case of Blockchain technology, development organizations propose novel ways of solving current food system challenges, such as food and nutrition security and inclusive agro-food value chains. Besides investigating the limits of technical features, there is no evidence in the existing literature regarding the potential of the Blockchain technology for social and environmental impact. This study aims to analyze the transformative potential of Blockchain in the field of food supply chain management by uncovering the perceptions of sustainability associated with solutions and services shared with users. Relying on the transition management theory, the paper seeks to answer how Dutch-based blockchain initiatives to influence resource distribution in food supply chains involving smallholder farmers in developing countries. Using a qualitative approach consisting of semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the study identifies several categories of blockchain initiatives based on their potential for impact in food supply chains. Results show that different categories emerge due to the type of software architecture used (public versus private Blockchain) as well as the possibility for new value creation (shorter supply chains). Based on the findings, there is a need for further research regarding the social and environmental impact of blockchain solutions focusing on the specific cases of resource redistribution such as smallholder farmers empowerment.