Coffee producers’ perspectives of blockchain technology in the context of sustainable global value chains

Transparency and equitability are key for improved sustainability outcomes in global value chains. Blockchain technology has been touted as a tool achieving these ends. However, due to the limited empirical evidence, claims on transparency benefits largely theoretical. We lack an understanding of drawbacks upstream actors within chains how this affects adoption. Addressing gap, we conduct study identify drivers obstacles coffee producers Colombia adopting blockchain. base our research event-driven permissioned blockchain model, specifically designed research. Applying Participation Capacity Framework conducting semi-structured interviews with informants, analyze adoption attitudes towards application. further opportunities from producers’ perspective. set findings context Global Value Chain research, considering existing power relations chain. The top-down nature projects raises distributive concerns, resource investments, implementation burden, risks significantly higher upstream, whereas downstream lead firms will benefit most. data squeeze additional channel sustainable supplier relevant case initiatives. Data implies turning obtained through, likely unpaid, labour participants into monetizable assets marketable through branding advertisement. Based findings, potential design dimensions features that can contribute materializing producer benefits, thus mitigating risk sustainability-driven squeeze.