Integration of blockchain technologies into supply chain management in the Eurasian trade context: obstacles and prospects

This article investigates the barriers and prospects for integrating blockchain technology into supply chain management in the context of Eurasian trade. The relevance of the study stems from the high level of documentary burden and substantial transaction costs in cross-border logistics operations among EAEU member states, which constrains the region’s competitiveness in global markets. Based on a systematic review of 36 sources, content analysis of EAEU regulatory documents, and an expert survey (n=18), 24 barriers were identified and classified into four categories: technological, legal, institutional, and financial. Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), technological barriers were found to be the most critical (weight 0.467), a finding attributed to the absence of standardized interoperability protocols among supply chain participants. Applying an original Total Transaction Cost (TTC) model, the potential effect of blockchain adoption was quantified: cost reduction amounts to 67.6% (from USD 1,700 to USD 550 per TEU), with the aggregate economic impact along the Almaty–Moscow corridor estimated at USD 977.5 million annually. An original Blockchain Compatibility and Readiness Index (BCR-Index) was developed to assess countries’ preparedness for blockchain adoption; Russia (71.8) and Kazakhstan (65.4) demonstrate the highest readiness among EAEU member states, with the Kazakhstan–Russia corridor identified as the priority site for pilot implementation. The findings provide concrete quantitative evidence supporting the economic rationale for integrating blockchain technologies into logistics systems and establish a scientific basis for strategic decision-making at both the corporate and governmental levels. The practical significance of the study lies in formulating evidencebased recommendations for regulators, logistics operators, and researchers engaged in the digital transformation of the EAEU transport and logistics complex.

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