Table 4 Summary of contributions of... | Emerald Publishing

Table 4

Summary of contributions of papers included in the special issue

Paper	Technology focus	Sustainability-oriented practice investigated	Sustainability performance focus	Methodology and unit of analysis	Key research gaps addressed
Heldt and Pikuleva	Blockchain	Supply chain traceability and supplier engagement	Social sustainability (human rights and due diligence compliance)	Process-based case study of upstream suppliers in the cobalt supply chain	1. Beyond focal firms: Highlights upstream suppliers’ role in driving blockchain adoption 2. Technology adoption complexity: Emphasizes the need for governance structures and trust beyond technology
Duan, Zhu and Sarkis	Blockchain smart contracts	Governance mechanisms in sustainable sourcing	Social sustainability (trust and opportunistic behavior)	Scenario-based experiment using buyer–supplier relationships in sustainable sourcing	1. Risk and unintended consequences: Blockchain can increase opportunism despite improving trust and commitment 2. Beyond static adoption models: Shows how blockchain shifts traditional buyer–supplier dynamics
Pattanayak, Ramkumar, Goswami, Narayanamurthy and Rana	Blockchain	Circular economy implementation strategies	Triple bottom line (economic, environmental and social sustainability)	Semi-structured interviews with managers with expertise in circular economy in supply chains	1. Holistic sustainability performance: Expands blockchain’s role beyond traceability to include strategic transformations and CE integration 2. Dynamic adoption processes: Shows blockchain as a capability-building tool for sustainability transitions
Gu, Reefke and Yates	Autonomous vehicles	Social sustainability strategies in AV adoption	Social sustainability (job impacts, safety and reputation)	Delphi study and interviews with experts in organizations adopting AV in supply chains	1. Innovative performance focus: Addresses social risks of automation and strategies to mitigate job displacement 2. Technology adoption as a process: Provides a framework for embedding sustainability into technology implementation

Paper	Technology focus	Sustainability-oriented practice investigated	Sustainability performance focus	Methodology and unit of analysis	Key research gaps addressed
Heldt and Pikuleva	Blockchain	Supply chain traceability and supplier engagement	Social sustainability (human rights and due diligence compliance)	Process-based case study of upstream suppliers in the cobalt supply chain	1. Beyond focal firms: Highlights upstream suppliers’ role in driving blockchain adoption 2. Technology adoption complexity: Emphasizes the need for governance structures and trust beyond technology
Duan, Zhu and Sarkis	Blockchain smart contracts	Governance mechanisms in sustainable sourcing	Social sustainability (trust and opportunistic behavior)	Scenario-based experiment using buyer–supplier relationships in sustainable sourcing	1. Risk and unintended consequences: Blockchain can increase opportunism despite improving trust and commitment 2. Beyond static adoption models: Shows how blockchain shifts traditional buyer–supplier dynamics
Pattanayak, Ramkumar, Goswami, Narayanamurthy and Rana	Blockchain	Circular economy implementation strategies	Triple bottom line (economic, environmental and social sustainability)	Semi-structured interviews with managers with expertise in circular economy in supply chains	1. Holistic sustainability performance: Expands blockchain’s role beyond traceability to include strategic transformations and CE integration 2. Dynamic adoption processes: Shows blockchain as a capability-building tool for sustainability transitions
Gu, Reefke and Yates	Autonomous vehicles	Social sustainability strategies in AV adoption	Social sustainability (job impacts, safety and reputation)	Delphi study and interviews with experts in organizations adopting AV in supply chains	1. Innovative performance focus: Addresses social risks of automation and strategies to mitigate job displacement 2. Technology adoption as a process: Provides a framework for embedding sustainability into technology implementation

Source(s): Authors’ elaboration