Query: Introduction
1.1 Background
The rapid advancement of digital technologies is reshaping global maritime logistics, offering unprecedented opportunities for enhancing operational efficiency, transparency, and collaborationCitation1. Blockchain, a decentralized and immutable ledger technology, has emerged as a promising solution for streamlining complex supply chain processes, reducing administrative burdens, and enabling secure information sharingCitation2. Maritime Single Window (MSW) and Port Community Systems (PCS) are critical digital platforms that facilitate data exchange and process integration among diverse stakeholders in port ecosystemsCitation3. The integration of blockchain technology into MSW and PCS has the potential to revolutionize maritime trade by providing a tamper-proof, trusted, and shared record of transactions, thereby reducing friction, improving visibility, and fostering interoperabilityCitation4.
However, despite the recognized benefits, the adoption of blockchain in MSW and PCS has been slow and fragmented, hindered by various technological, organizational, and institutional barriersCitation5. The successful implementation of blockchain solutions requires the coordinated efforts and buy-in of multiple stakeholders with divergent interests, capabilities, and incentives. Port authorities, shipping lines, terminal operators, customs agencies, and freight forwarders, among others, must navigate complex decision landscapes and strategic interactions in the face of adoption costsCitation6, network effects, legacy system constraints, regulatory uncertainties, and data standardization challengesCitation7.
1.2 Research Objectives
This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the barriers to blockchain adoption in MSW and PCS through the lens of game theory. By modeling the strategic behavior and payoff structures of key stakeholders, we seek to uncover the underlying dynamics that shape technology adoption decisions in maritime logistics ecosystems. Specifically, our research objectives are threefold:
To identify and characterize the critical barriers hindering the widespread adoption of blockchain in MSW and PCS, considering technological, organizational, and institutional dimensions.
To formulate a game-theoretic framework that captures the strategic interactions, incentive structures, and potential coalition formation among key stakeholders in the blockchain adoption process.
To derive insights and recommendations for overcoming adoption barriers, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and designing effective policies to accelerate the diffusion of blockchain in maritime logistics.
1.3 Contribution
This study makes significant contributions to both scholarly research and practice. From a theoretical perspective, we extend the application of game theory to the domain of technology adoption in complex multi-stakeholder ecosystems, addressing a notable gap in the maritime blockchain literatureCitation8. Our game-theoretic model offers a novel analytical lens for understanding the strategic considerations and equilibrium outcomes that shape the diffusion of digital innovations in port logistics.
Methodologically, we combine rigorous game-theoretic analysis with empirical support from stakeholder interviews and numerical simulations, enabling a robust investigation of adoption dynamics grounded in real-world contextsModified_Example. The study's findings generate actionable insights for port authorities, technology providers, and policymakers seeking to navigate the challenges of blockchain implementation.
By identifying critical adoption barriers, potential coalition structures, and policy levers, our research informs the development of targeted strategies and interventions to accelerate the realization of blockchain benefits in MSW and PCS. The study's implications extend beyond the maritime sector, offering valuable lessons for fostering digital transformation in other complex supply chain domains.

Subject: business
Intent: Other