Blockchain-driven ESG governance in innovating global supply networks : An integrated PCA–fuzzy DEMATEL approach
Gupta, Srikant ; Kumar, Pranav ; Virmani, Naveen and Jagtap, Sandeep LU
(2026)
In Journal of Digital Economy
5.
p.198-213
- Abstract
- This study develops an integrated decision-support framework for blockchain-enabled Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance in global supply networks. Multinational enterprises face complex sustainability challenges due to fragmented supplier systems, inconsistent standards, and limited traceability. Blockchain technology offers transparency, immutability, and decentralized validation, addressing critical barriers to ESG integration. Using a three-phase empirical design, the research employs the Fuzzy Delphi Method to validate 26 critical success factors (CSFs), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify 12 underlying dimensions, and Fuzzy DEMATEL to model influential interrelationships among them. Results reveal that... (More)
- This study develops an integrated decision-support framework for blockchain-enabled Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance in global supply networks. Multinational enterprises face complex sustainability challenges due to fragmented supplier systems, inconsistent standards, and limited traceability. Blockchain technology offers transparency, immutability, and decentralized validation, addressing critical barriers to ESG integration. Using a three-phase empirical design, the research employs the Fuzzy Delphi Method to validate 26 critical success factors (CSFs), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify 12 underlying dimensions, and Fuzzy DEMATEL to model influential interrelationships among them. Results reveal that knowledge capital, ESG awareness, sustainable operations, and Resource Efficiency & Performance Optimization are key influential factors driving blockchain-enabled ESG performance, while Organizational Learning & ESG Governance, traceability, and stakeholder accountability are key dependent outcomes. These drivers also have substantial financial implications for multinational enterprises. The information asymmetry is addressed by improvements in transparency and traceability of ESG, which enhance investor confidence, increase the availability of sustainable finance instruments, and potentially lower the cost of capital and ESG-related risk premiums. The framework, based on this, provides insight into the role of blockchain-enabled ESG governance: not only it ensures that a firm meets its sustainability standards, but it also generates long-term firm value. The study contributes to theory by integrating multivariate and influential modeling to explain the systemic dynamics of technology-driven sustainability governance. Managerially, it provides actionable insights to prioritize blockchain investments and enhance ESG transparency across global supply networks. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/711ab677-7252-4749-a96d-eaf383df0499
- author
- Gupta, Srikant
; Kumar, Pranav
; Virmani, Naveen
and Jagtap, Sandeep
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-06-04
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Journal of Digital Economy
- volume
- 5
- pages
- 16 pages
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:105041331709
- ISSN
- 2773-0670
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jdec.2026.05.001
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 711ab677-7252-4749-a96d-eaf383df0499
- date added to LUP
- 2026-06-11 20:47:30
- date last changed
- 2026-09-02 04:00:43
@article{711ab677-7252-4749-a96d-eaf383df0499,
abstract = {{This study develops an integrated decision-support framework for blockchain-enabled Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliance in global supply networks. Multinational enterprises face complex sustainability challenges due to fragmented supplier systems, inconsistent standards, and limited traceability. Blockchain technology offers transparency, immutability, and decentralized validation, addressing critical barriers to ESG integration. Using a three-phase empirical design, the research employs the Fuzzy Delphi Method to validate 26 critical success factors (CSFs), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify 12 underlying dimensions, and Fuzzy DEMATEL to model influential interrelationships among them. Results reveal that knowledge capital, ESG awareness, sustainable operations, and Resource Efficiency & Performance Optimization are key influential factors driving blockchain-enabled ESG performance, while Organizational Learning & ESG Governance, traceability, and stakeholder accountability are key dependent outcomes. These drivers also have substantial financial implications for multinational enterprises. The information asymmetry is addressed by improvements in transparency and traceability of ESG, which enhance investor confidence, increase the availability of sustainable finance instruments, and potentially lower the cost of capital and ESG-related risk premiums. The framework, based on this, provides insight into the role of blockchain-enabled ESG governance: not only it ensures that a firm meets its sustainability standards, but it also generates long-term firm value. The study contributes to theory by integrating multivariate and influential modeling to explain the systemic dynamics of technology-driven sustainability governance. Managerially, it provides actionable insights to prioritize blockchain investments and enhance ESG transparency across global supply networks.}},
author = {{Gupta, Srikant and Kumar, Pranav and Virmani, Naveen and Jagtap, Sandeep}},
issn = {{2773-0670}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{06}},
pages = {{198--213}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Journal of Digital Economy}},
title = {{Blockchain-driven ESG governance in innovating global supply networks : An integrated PCA–fuzzy DEMATEL approach}},
url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/252732483/1-s2.0-S2773067026000117-main.pdf}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.jdec.2026.05.001}},
volume = {{5}},
year = {{2026}},
}