Vertrauen in Unternehmensnetzwerken durch Blockchain-Technologie

• Trust in enterprise networks through blockchain technology

Wieninger, Simon Sebastian; Schuh, Günther (Thesis advisor); Stich, Volker (Thesis advisor)

1. Auflage. - Aachen : Apprimus Verlag (2020)
Book, Dissertation / PhD Thesis

In: Schriftenreihe Rationalisierung 174
Page(s)/Article-Nr.: XIV, 295 Seiten : Illustrationen

Dissertation, RWTH Aachen University, 2020

Abstract

In recent years, a lot of different influences have led to a partial change in the logic of economic actions. The development towards Business Ecosystems, which are characterized by mixed relationships of competition and cooperation of the involved actors, plays an important role. However, the emergence of cross-industry platforms has also led to unwanted monopolies. The Blockchain technology is discussed as a possibility to reduce this unique position of companies in the market based on its decentralized character. The Blockchain can generally be understood as a combination of cryptographic processes with a simultaneously decentralized and open server structure. This offers the possibility to carry out transactions comprehensibly, digitally and without intermediaries. A central aspect, which is emphasized by many authors, is the ability of the technology to positively influence the trust between the involved actors. This understanding with regard to the confidence increasing effect enables a direct comparison with characteristics of legally valid contracts. The elimination of intermediaries and the direct creation of trust between acting actors make the implementation of a new government instrument conceivable. However it has been shown, that despite these theoretical added values of Blockchain technology, acceptance and implementation in corporate networks have so far been restrained. The reasons for this are complex. However, neither companies nor scientists can fully assess the influence of Blockchain technology on organizational cooperation models at the present time. An unclear understanding of the term "trust" as well as the lack of practical implementation of the technology in the industry further underline the need for clarification. This dissertation addresses the challenges presented and aims to explain the effect of Blockchain technology on trust in cooperation between companies and to make it usable. In order to achieve this goal, the following research question should be answered: "How can Blockchain technology increase the trust of interorganizational cooperation in enterprise networks?

Institutions

• Research Institute for Industrial Management at RWTH Aachen University (FIR) [052300]
• Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) of RWTH Aachen University [417200]
• Chair of Production Engineering [417210]