The objectives of this paper are to analyse how blockchain can help in transaction time reduction and quality improvement in supply chains. It also aims to identify the social and technical capabilities needed by the service providers for blockchain implementation and how those capabilities vary between the projects. To achieve the above mentioned objectives, a multiple case study approach is followed, and data are collected from the service providers that have implemented blockchain technology with their customers. We conduct task-technology fit (TTF) analysis to assess the suitability of blockchain to address the tasks to be completed, considering customer needs. The TTF analysis shows that some additional technological solutions related to communication support and user experience design need to be implemented together with the blockchain platform. We then identify common social and technical capabilities, such as empathising with customers and system design, to facilitate implementation and contingent capabilities that vary across different types of blockchain implementation projects. We also develop a process model, a generalisable framework for blockchain implementation and related propositions. The findings from this study will provide guidance to the blockchain service 2 providers to emphasise social and technical capabilities for quality improvement and transaction time reduction from blockchain implementation.

Some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are involved in recycling plastic waste to produce innovative products. These SMEs have adopted digital technologies, such as 3D printing and blockchain, to gain competitive advantage from their circular economy (CE)-based business models. However, the specific capabilities needed to create value for customers and to generate a competitive advantage for such SMEs are not known. In this study, we conducted in-depth interviews with four SMEs engaged in the CE to identify the specific resources and capabilities needed to provide value to customers. Our findings reveal that SMEs focusing on circular economy initiatives demonstrate exploitation and adaptive capabilities in utilising their CE resources followed by exploration and adaptive capabilities while implementing digital technologies. Our study extends the resource-based view by combining it with ambidexterity to explain the role of specific circular and digital resources and capabilities that SMEs need to provide value to their customers.

Big data in the fourth Industrial revolution can support a government’s e-initiatives to provide improved care, experiences, and services for citizens. However, the effectiveness of e-government systems in the current data era is difficult to prove empirically, especially in emerging economies, due to the lack of an integrated model to measure sustainable value creation. Indeed, the main models used for evaluating e-government values neglect the environmental sustainability construct. To fill this theoretical and analytical gap, this study offers a sustainable value creation model that includes three constructs, namely organizational performance, user satisfaction, and environmental sustainability. We validated our model using structural equations modeling analysis with 320 responses from the Tunisian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Our findings highlight trust as a key factor driving the intention to use an e-government system that leads to sustainable value. The study provides valuable insight for community leaders to help them in the process of adopting an e-government initiative and evaluating its sustainable value.