Blockchain challenges in enterprise implementations

Due to the decentralised and immutable nature of distributed ledger systems, blockchain has become a critical priority for organisations across the world (Pawczuk et al., 2021). However, the widespread adoption of blockchain and enterprise implementation has been hampered by various challenges, including security issues such as data theft through cyberattacks (Degirmenci and Barros, 2021), or ecological concerns due to increasing computational power that is required to operate energy-intensive consensus mechanisms (Beck et al., 2018).

In this project, we explore ways to help organisations develop strategies to address challenges when implementing blockchain services in enterprise systems. The project is situated within QUT’s School of Information Systems and Centre for Data Science, where you can expect excellent support and mentoring.

References

• Beck, R., Müller-Bloch, C., King, J. L. 2018. Governance in the blockchain economy: A framework and research agenda. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 19(10), pp. 1020-1034. https://doi.org/10.17705/1jais.00518
• Degirmenci, K., Barros, A. 2021. How secure is blockchain? Extending the protection motivation theory with trust. In: Proceedings of the 27th Americas Conference on Information Systems, Montreal. https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2021/adopt_diffusion/adopt_diffusion/8
• Pawczuk, L., Walker, R., Tanco, C. C. 2021. Deloitte’s 2021 global blockchain survey: A new age of digital assets. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/understanding-blockchain-potential/global-blockchain-survey.html

This research involves one or more of the following activities:

• reviewing the academic literature on blockchain services and enterprise systems
• conducting empirical research on an industry-related blockchain case
• applying existing theories to solve real-world problems
• communicating the findings in academic and/or professional publications.

The expected outcomes are dependent on the scope of the research and may include the following:

• structured and systematic literature review
• conceptual design and empirical research on enterprise blockchain
• development and evaluation of a strategic framework for blockchain implementation in enterprise systems
• implications for research and practical recommendations for organisations.

This research requires one or more of the following skills:

• fundamental knowledge of enterprise information systems and blockchain technology
• high ambition to complete a research project within a given time frame
• strong interest in developing skills in theoretical, computational, and empirical research
• strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• excellent written and verbal communication skills.