# Blockchain-Based Information Management for Supply Chain Data-Platforms
## 5 Discussion
### Contextualized Outcomes from the Experts
These foundations allow to structure a reliable and secure digital transition for SCs through which all processes could be potentially digitized. The expert interviews indicate that a development of data platforms would allow for key information sharing within a network of companies and third parties operating in the SC. However, it is relevant to define the recording of such information in the blockchain to not lose competitive advantage in the market. An implementation of blockchain on information management duties can offer administrative improvements regarding the reduction of time, quality of information exchanged, and increased security. Consequently, blockchain can be part of the digital transition, contributing to a reliable adoption by companies; however, it will be necessary to develop an extremely precise design for the tasks blockchain would have to include [11]. Blockchain can be considered as a service for SC stakeholders, providing enhancements on existing processes [10]. However, considering the recent industrial tests are centralized, the future challenge will be to improve the decentralization degree in blockchain-based SCs. Although existing deployments are tools for ecosystem-building, they have had positive impacts on the stakeholders involved, achieving higher levels of trust in the business networks they operate in. **Statement 5:**_blockchain enhances trust in (digital) ecosystem-building for SC stakeholders._  
(6) According to [PERSON] et al. [29], [PERSON] [30], and [PERSON] [31], SCM is composed of eight macro processes: customer relationship management, supplier relationship management, customer service management, demand management, order fulfilment, manufacturing flow management, product development and commercialization, and returns management. Current blockchain-based solutions such as ecosystem-building and stakeholder engagement are appropriately placed in the process of supplier relationship management. The identification of criteria for segmenting suppliers is essential in this process. Assuming the validity of the main findings of [PERSON] and [PERSON] [58], in SCM _'it is necessary to have the capability of measuring the performance of the supplier relationship management in terms of their impact on incremental revenues, costs and investment_'. Understanding suppliers' capabilities permits, then, to develop detailed programs aimed at improving SC performance. Additionally, this knowledge allows to negotiate the sharing of benefits and costs such that all the involved players have the incentive to participate [58]. **Statement 6:**_blockchain fits in the supplier relationship management process._  
(7) Although a process has been identified for blockchain pertinence, other areas of development may be described, for instance, the finance business units. As shown by the grounded theory analysis (Figure 1), accounting and administration is one of the most relevant categories discussed, which becomes especially revolutionary when complemented with Industrial IoT and automation. In this instance, as an additional outcome of the grounded theory assessment, we identified a further distinction among functional factors, which characterizes categories. What emerged refers to a higher degree of automation for financial duties (i.e., machine-to-machine autonomous payments). Figure 1 presents a conceptual map of the five categories, which are assigned in three sections as functional factors: (i) implementation, (ii) enabler, and (iii) impacts. The former is composed of the accounting and administration category, considered as a vertical implementation for SCM that could be related to almost all the eight processes of SCM mentioned above. The enabler is identified as the new data platform blockchain frames, given that it allows for new improvements for data and information management. This aspect may also be related to the automation and Industrial IoT for future innovative applications.