Knowledge Management and Blockchain Technology for Organizational Sustainability: Conceptual Model

Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 116 RESEARCH PAPER Knowledge Management and Blockchain Technology for Organizational Sustainability Conceptual Model Talita Frozza¹ Edson Pinheiro de Lima¹ Sérgio Eduardo Gouvêa da Costa12 ¹Federal University of Technology UFPR Prato Branco Paraná Brazil ¹² Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Paraná PUCR Prado Velho Curitiba Paraná Brazil 1 INTRODUCTION The objective of this research that is the development of a conceptual model that represents the existing relationships between blockchain technology knowledge management KM and organizational sustainability arises from the identification of a context of the opportunity to use blockchain to improve organizational processes of knowledge management and consequently organizational sustainability Blockchain technology constantly associated with Bitcoin cryptocurrency has the potential to offer new solutions to longterm problems in numerous sectors both in public and private services Financial support none Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest to declare Corresponding author talitafrozzahotmailcom Received 29 october 2022 Accepted 16 november 2022 Editor Julio Vieira Neto This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited ABSTRACT How to cite Frozza T Lima EP and Costa SEG 2023 Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations and Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 216 Probst et al 2016 Olnes et al 2017 Yuan and Wang 2018 there are already numerous applications benefiting from the blockchain structure Meiriño et al 2019 One of the potential applications of blockchain technology is knowledge management because sophisticated technologies play a substantial role in KM Tzortzaki and Mihiotis 2014 especially if one considers the scenario of globalization and the information age where companies live immersed in a flood of data that makes it challenging to acquire the correct content necessary for the best performance of activities For all this knowledge to circulate its flows must be properly parameterized and efficiently managed Pinto 2020 Thus technologies such as blockchain can increase peoples efficiency and improve the flow of information within organizations Bhatt 2001 In addition it can be mentioned that KM faces challenges such as issues of power and trust security in the production and transfer of knowledge and issues of knowledgesharing motivations Butler 2000 Akhavan et al 2018 Hu et al 2018 and given that the blockchain enables aspects such as trust transparency and immutability to the database Yang 2019 it has the potential to face the challenges encountered and improve knowledge management Akhavan et al 2018 From the mitigation or elimination of the challenges found in KM such as those mentioned organizations also start to improve other organizational aspects such as organizational sustainability because despite the growing consensus around the importance of organizational sustainability organizations still face problems with the absence of a comprehensive management structure that meets balances and integrates the three dimensions of sustainability economic environmental and social also called Triple Bottom Line Several scholars have argued that a high learning capacity is a crucial characteristic of successful organizations in the modern world This is a vital capacity that impacts among others sustainability performance Jamali 2006 An organizations ability to learn in turn increases when it consciously employs processes that help nurture leverage and motivate people to improve and share their ability to act processes that encapsulate the notion of KM Tzortzaki and Mihiotis 2014 understood in this research as the structuring and modeling of change processes that occur in an organizations knowledge base and that impact organizational learning Probst et al 2002 In this context considering the potential that blockchain has to offer solutions to technological problems for organizations considering the barriers that hinder the implementation of KM within organizations and the need for a comprehensive management structure that enables the more significant achievement of organizational objectives in terms of sustainability the aim is to develop a conceptual model representative of the existing relationships between blockchain KM and organizational sustainability To achieve this objective it is sought to identify in the literature which aspects of blockchain applied to KM can enhance the use of organizational knowledge and later how KM can impact sustainability 2 RESEARCH BACKGROUND The following paragraphs briefly describe the fundamentals of blockchain KM and organizational sustainability to elicit the concepts that guide the conceptual model development 21 Blockchain A blockchain is a form of Distributed Ledger Technology DLT distributed accounting technology Olnes et al 2017 White 2017 which consists of a shared database that is replicated and synchronized in a decentralized manner among the members of a network Yang et al 2018 It allows the digital transfer of assets between two unknown entities without the need for trusted third parties Kewell et al 2017 thus dispensing the need for a central authority to validate transactions Dunphy and Petitcolas 2018 reallocating the responsibility for managing transfers to computers and algorithms Kewell et al 2017 The main features of blockchain are a Decentralization in traditional mechanisms a central authority responsible for validating transactions is required which inevitably impacts the cost and performance of central servers In the blockchain information is automatically shared and distributed among the network members or nodes without any thirdparty intervention and consensus algorithms are used to maintain data consistency in the distributed network Zheng et al 2018 Yang 2019 Lin and Liao 2017 b Mutual trust mutual trust is an essential factor for trading participants and blockchain is often referred to as a technology that overcomes the need for trust in relationships Because it is based on the principles of peertopeer network protocols and purely mathematical methods it creates trusting relationships between network nodes and distributed system structures Beck 2018 Yang 2019 c Transparency the registration of data by the blockchain is transparent for each member of the network ie all participants share records and consult data However the amount of transparent information for an observer can be different and not every participant should Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 316 necessarily have the same access to all information Wüst and Gervais 2018 Yang 2019 d Cryptography Blockchain performs data encryption and digital signatures through asymmetric cryptography Data encryption ensures the security of transaction data and reduces the risk of loss or falsification of transaction data The digital signature in turn allows the identification of the transaction signatory which does not necessarily reveal the real identity of the user since each user can interact with the blockchain through a generated address Zheng et al 2018 Yang 2019 Lin and Liao 2017 e Traceability each block of information in the blockchain has the date and time information which serves to identify record and validate each transaction which not only improves the time dimension of the data but also guarantees its originality improves transparency and reduces the cost of transaction traceability as users can quickly check and trace previous records by accessing any block in the network Zheng et al 2018 Yang 2019 f Immutability for a transaction to be validated and added to a block it must be reviewed by most system nodes Once validated and added it cannot be violated The exception to the case is if any of the nodes in the network control 51 or more of all nodes Wüst and Gervais 2018 Yang 2019 As with any new and potentially transformative technology blockchain adoption has substantial risks Among the risks it can be mentioned the dependence of technology on consensus mechanisms which are sometimes flawed the need for computing power and consequent CO2 emission Beck et al 2018 significant investment needs Hughes et al 2019 usability limitations size and bandwidth limitations among others all of which need to be quantified and evaluated by organizations Mendling et al 2018 22 Knowledge Management Knowledge plays a vital role in efficiency and effectiveness in organizational operations and the maturity stage of the knowledge society puts the KM processes in the showcase of organizations Muthuveloo et al 2017 Yee et al 2019 Krause et al 2019 There are numerous ways to define KM but this study adopts the definition that Probst et al 2002 presented They describe it as the structuring and modeling of change processes in an organizations knowledge base which impact organizational learning being the processes identification acquisition development sharing and distribution use and retention of knowledge The volume of knowledge has grown at an impressive rate and has become increasingly specialized generating the need to know where to find the necessary knowledge And thats what the knowledge identification process is all about Knowledge both internal and external knowledge is not automatically visible in this sense KM needs to ensure sufficient transparency and help the organization find what it needs Knowledge visibility exposes existing gaps within organizations and allows them to choose between acquiring or developing knowledge Thus in as much as knowledge acquisition is concerned this is a process of importing knowledge from external sources such as clients and suppliers as well as of purchasing knowledge through hiring people with the right skills such as experts and consultants by accessing knowledge bases or by acquiring knowledge products such as software The acquisition of knowledge by companies is a viable alternative However this solution is also available to competitors which emphasizes the importance of companies being able to develop understanding from their resources The knowledge development process refers to the generation of new skills new products better ideas and more efficient processes It is a process that includes all administrative efforts consciously directed towards producing competencies that are not yet present in the organization The process of sharing and distributing knowledge has a prominent position in KM This is because it enables or hinders its effective application In other words it is a vital prerequisite to transform information and experience into something that every organization can use which can only be used if available to those who need to make decisions All processes already mentioned identification development acquisition sharing and distribution must always be related to the needs of potential users in other words using knowledge The integral objective of KM is to ensure that the knowledge present in the organization is used for its benefit since knowledge has no value if it is not used Finally one encounters the knowledge retention process Parts of the organizations memory may be lost temporarily or permanently due to reengineering outsourcing or lean management policies Thus selectively retaining information documents and experiences of the organization requires management and plays an important role considering that the past experiences form a reference structure for future learning processes Probst et al 2002 Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 416 23 Organizational sustainability Sustainable development is seen as an emerging business megatrend and has forced persistent changes in how companies compete Lubin and Esty 2010 At the business level it can be defined as meeting the needs of the organizations direct and indirect stakeholders without compromising its ability to meet the future needs of these stakeholders Dyllick and Hockerts 2002 And as in the macro level of sustainable development organizational sustainability has three dimensions addressed by the term Triple Bottom Line economic social and environmental Baumgartner and Ebner 2010 The economic dimension of organizational sustainability has been discussed as a dimension that does not strictly refer to an organizations conventional financial accounting but instead to the generation of added value Jamali 2006 The measurement of an organizations economic performance focuses on how the economic status of stakeholders changes as a result of the organizations activities This means that the performance is not measured based on the organizations financial condition and exposes that an organization is only sustainable when it pays taxes to the public authorities adequate prices to its suppliers and wages to its employees interests to its creditors and at least at a given moment dividends to its shareholders Steurer et al 2005 p 9 As of this it is possible to expose that the economic dimension of organizational sustainability has often been discussed as a generic dimension which covers general aspects of an organization that must be respected so that it remains in the market for a long time These aspects include innovation and technology collaboration KM processes purchasing and sustainability reports Baumgartner and Ebner 2010 In turn the social dimension of organizational sustainability focuses on the organizations impact on the social systems in which it operates Jamali 2006 and the positive influence of all present and future relationships with the organizations stakeholders Baumgartner and Ebner 2010 And to be socially responsible the organization must adopt and balance the economic legal ethical and discretionary expectations of all stakeholders both internal and external and interest groups of civil society Bansal 2005 Jamali 2006 Social dimension outcomes can incorporate public health issues community issues public controversies skills and education social justice workplace safety working conditions human rights equal opportunities and labor rights Jamali 2006 p 4 The environmental dimension of organizational sustainability deals with the environmental impacts of organizational activities in living and nonliving natural systems including ecosystems land air and water Baumgartner and Ebner 2010 Jamali 2006 The search for the environmental dimension of corporate sustainability must go beyond initiatives such as recycling and energy efficiency or compliance with applicable government regulations One can understand then that the search for meeting the environmental dimension of sustainability also consists of acting in a comprehensive approach that involves a companys operations products and facilities This includes evaluating products processes and business services maximizing the efficiency and productivity of all resource assets and minimizing practices that may affect the use of environmental resources for future generations Jamali 2006 3 RESEARCH METHOD To achieve the objective of this research the systematic literature review is used as a procedure consisting of a specific literature review that uses a set of rules to assist in the selection and analysis of the content under study Kluska et al 2018 The systematic literature review of this research is conducted and followed by the Cochrane Organization for conducting a systematic review Higgins and Green 2008 Step 1 which involves the development of criteria for the inclusion of studies is specified in Table 1 Considering that the research topics are entirely different and complex the systematic review of the literature is carried out individually for each topic Table 1 Questions of the review and criteria for inclusion of studies Theme Research question Criteria for inclusion of studies Blockchain What are the main features of blockchain disregard articles that exclusively address the application of the technology in the financial market that address unique blockchain themes such as smart contracts include articles that addressed in addition to the basic characteristics of blockchain issues such as Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 516 benefits implementation difficulties and application examples Knowledge Management What are the main aspects of Knowledge management disregard articles that had as purpose only the definition of frameworks or models that approached knowledge management in a very specific context such as social media micro and small companies and supply chain consider articles that addressed Knowledge management in conjunction with information systems or organizational processes that addressed knowledge management in a general context Sustainability What is the approach to sustainable development in organizations disregard articles that addressed a single dimension of sustainability that had as an objective only case study consider articles that addressed sustainable development triple bottom line and corporate sustainability Source The authors themselves 2021 Once the focus of the research is determined for the completion of Step 2 a search of studies is necessary to identify the databases define the terms and search criteria and conduct the search according to the specified criteria Table 2 presents these definitions Table 2 Definition of databases search terms and criteria Keywords blockchain and block chain knowledge management creation and share sustainability triple bottom line social environment economic corporate and service operation Operator OR AND and OR AND and OR Database Scopus and Web of Science Scopus and Web of Science Scopus and Web of Science Year Not limited Not limited Not limited Language English only English only English only Type Article and conference paper Article Article Limiter 15 citations or more 25 citations or more 15 citations or more Source The authors themselves 2021 Because the literature on the application and influence of the underlying techniques of blockchain only began to appear in 2013 White 2017 the conference paper type is also selected given that it is a current theme and increasing the types of research allows reaching a more suitable number for the portfolio Also the limiter number of citations is used to select articles considered of greater relevance Using different limiters is necessary because carrying out tests in the databases to search for the KM theme with a filter of only 15 citations results in an extensive portfolio that could make the research unfeasible Thus it is decided to increase the citation filter for the KM theme to 25 citations The result of applying the search terms and criteria defined in Table 2 are presented in greater detail in Appendix B In Step 3 the studies are selected according to the criteria established in Table 1 This selection is conducted in two stages an initial screening through reading titles and abstracts of the studies found and a screening of the resulting portfolio considering the full reading of the works With this process the final portfolio has 43 articles 12 on the blockchain 17 on knowledge management and 14 on sustainability The articles obtained in the systematic literature review are then analyzed using the Content Analysis technique This technique consists of a set of techniques for communications analysis that uses systematic and objective procedures to describe the content of the messages and is performed through three steps organization of the analysis coding and categorization Bardin 1977 p 38 With the content analysis several critical factors in the literature are identified which enable Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 616 the development of a detailed narrative to support the conceptual model For the identification of such key factors considering that the step of searching material in the databases of the systematic literature review is performed individually for each of the themes studied to enable the identification of such factors and relate the themes to each other each portfolio is analyzed by searching for specific terms To support this stages development acquiring and using specific content analysis software is impossible Thus content analysis steps such as coding and categorization are performed with the support of a spreadsheet editor program From the blockchain portfolio separated excerpts of the articles discussed the terms organizational processes knowledge management and sustainability The articles that made up the portfolio of knowledge management were separated into excerpts related to the terms organizational processes sustainability and technology In the sustainability portfolio excerpts that addressed organizational processes terms related to knowledge management and technology were separated With this it is possible to establish the relationships between the themes of blockchain and knowledge management and sustainability which support the conceptual model presented in the following section 4 RESULTS The preparation of the conceptual model in this research has as an initial assumption the need for a digital infrastructure to effectively manage knowledge having as a premise that the application of blockchain in KM can through its characteristics eliminate or mitigate problems encountered by the KM enabling a greater and better application of knowledge in organizational processes The second assumption is that this application of knowledge in these processes generates impacts both direct and indirect on sustainability understood in this research as the result of organizational activities analyzed by the concept of the Triple Bottom Line which addresses the dimensions economic social and environmental The model is composed of three variables the blockchain understood as a resource the KM understood as the processes through which the resource is mobilized and sustainability understood specifically in this relation as the result of the mobilization of the blockchain resource in the KM processes However before presenting the theoretical model it is essential to give the information found in the articles that make up the bibliographical portfolio and that demonstrate how KM can impact sustainability because of organizational activities and what aspects of blockchain applied to KM can enhance the use of the organizational knowledge resource 41 Establishing relationships For KM processes to be carried out successfully some organizational barriers must be mitigated or eliminated And it is in this perspective that the blockchain is inserted aiming to mitigate barriers or enhance KM processes Thus from the content analysis of the articles obtained through the systematic review of the literature Table 3 was prepared representing the relationship between KM and blockchain organized from the content analysis of the articles of these two themes obtained with the systematic review of the literature Table 4 below brings the arguments that support the preparation of Table 3 which indicates the relationships for which arguments are found in the articles that explain or describe the relationships between such aspects It is essential to point out that although the existence and knowledge of the risks involved in the adoption of blockchain technology for organizations are admitted the content analysis of the portfolio aims only at identifying potentially positive relationships generated by the application of blockchain in KM such as a way to limit the objective of the research and not make it unfeasible Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 716 Table 3 Matrix of relations between knowledge management and blockchain Decentralization Mutual trust Transparency Encryption Traceability Immutability Identification X X X Acquisition Development X X Sharing X X X X Use X X X Retention X X X X Source The authors themselves 2021 As shown in Table 3 it is possible to identify that one of the processes of KM Acquisition is not found in the literature arguments demonstrating how the blockchain can add value to the process or eliminate problems in its execution The other relationships presented in the table it is shown in Table 4 descriptions achieved as the content analysis and that aim to highlight the relations between the themes Table 4 Relations between knowledge management and blockchain Knowledge management process x Blockchain features Knowledge identification and Transparency Through this feature the organizations knowledge becomes more visible which consequently increases the organizations ability to find the knowledge it needs when needed Eg Lin and Liao 2017 Lang 2001 Cryptography Through digital signatures made possible by cryptography it becomes possible to identify the holders of knowledge enabling the preservation of intellectual property rights or copyrights of the knowledge shared among employees Eg Wust and Gervais 2018 Hughes et al 2019 White 2017 Traceability This characteristic allows the identification of the context in which knowledge was produced an important factor for other knowledge management processes Eg Kwan and Balasubramanian 2003 White 2017 Knowledge development and Cryptography Provides through digital signature conditions to ensure that employees develop knowledge within the organization and have their copyrights ensured Eg Wust and Gervais 2018 Hughes et al 2019 Traceability By identifying the context surrounding the knowledge previous lessons can be used for the development of new knowledge Eg White 2017 Knowledge sharing and Decentralization With this feature information is automatically distributed among members which meets the need for knowledge management to be integrated into the workflow of organizational processes so that it is captured automatically Eg Kwan and Balasubramanian 2003 Hughes et al 2019 Clarke 2001 Mutual trust and immutability Through the control generated by the immutable maintenance of records an increase in the confidence of network members in sharing knowledge is generated Eg Hughes et al 2019 Mendling et al 2018 Cryptography Through digital signature it provides conditions for experts under the rights of the organization to share their knowledge Also cryptography ensures security and reduces the risk of loss or forgery in a transaction Eg Yeoh 2017 De Long and Fahey 2000 Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 816 Transparency The information can be accessed by external people and entities which favors the relationship with the organizations stakeholders Eg Kewell et al 2017 Hughes et al 2019 Use of knowledge and Decentralization As knowledge is stored in multiple locations access to that knowledge becomes easier and faster Eg Kwan and Balasubramanian 2003 Hughes et al 2019 Transparency With this characteristic knowledge can be accessed and effectively used by anyone inside or outside the organization Eg Hughes et al 2019 Immutability It provides authenticity and veracity to the available knowledge mitigating the users concern about the authenticity of the knowledge source that is available Eg Zheng et al 2017 Knowledge retention and Decentralization Knowledge retention is favored because data is stored in multiple locations and consensus mechanisms ensure that information is only changed when all relevant parties agree It also increases security in the production and transfer of knowledge since the storage of information in central servers generates insecurity for users Eg Zheng et al 2017 Mutual trust As a result of consensus protocols confidence is provided that the information stored matches reality Eg Zheng et al 2017 Traceability The union of this characteristic with the knowledge retention process favors the organizations ability to track the history of processes which is made available favors the predictive capacity and allows lessons from previous actions to be captured and shared Eg Zheng et al 2018 Mendling et al 2018 Demarest 1997 Bhatt 2001 Immutability Through this characteristic after the knowledge is retained it is difficult to alter or delete it without notice Eg Zheng et al 2017 Mendling et al 2018 Source The authors themselves 2021 Thus it is possible to identify in the literature which aspects of the blockchain applied to KM can enhance the use of the organizational knowledge resource Blockchain can positively impact almost every KM process except the knowledge acquisition process In the other processes technology features such as encryption and traceability allow respectively to provide conditions to ensure that employees and specialists develop knowledge within the organization and have their copyright guaranteed and to provide the context in which certain knowledge was produced important aspects for to KM Afterward from the content analysis of the portfolio articles especially on knowledge management and sustainability it was possible to identify that all KM processes to a greater or lesser degree have a relationship and generate impacts in the dimensions of sustainability These relationships are demonstrated and exemplified in Table 5 Table 5 Relations between knowledge management and sustainability a Knowledge Management Process 1 Identification of knowledge it concerns the ability of the organization to know where to find what it needs when it is needed Dimension The process allows the organization to Example Economic dimension Enhance innovation Maintain competitive advantage Produce new and different products Observe new measures of wealth If an organization does not easily locate the right kind of knowledge in the right form the company may find it difficult to maintain its competitive advantage an organization must be quick to find the right kind of knowledge in the right way Bhatt 2001 Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 916 Social dimension Obtain knowledge about the environment in which it is inserted Devise strategies to adapt to this environment Promote increased customer satisfaction Increase the ability of employees to deliver the results for which they are responsible Efficiently support employees through appropriate motivations and incentives The customer intimacy value proposition focuses on capturing and sharing information and knowledge about organizations customers It focuses on understanding customer needs and preferences and leveraging that knowledge to develop new products and services increase customer satisfaction and increase customer buying patterns Butler 2000 Environmental dimension The impacts are generally aimed at improvements in workflow efficiency and consistency KM efforts aimed at improving access and retrieval of such information can therefore improve workflow efficiency and consistency Raghu and Vinze 2007 b 2 Acquisition of knowledge refers to the importation of knowledge from external sources such as customers suppliers competitors and partners as well as the purchase of knowledge Economic dimension Develop new products and services desired by customers and in defense of market share and distinction Typically organizations are reaping the following benefits from knowledge management initiatives defending market share against existing competitors to defend market share against new entrants Butler 2000 Social dimension Improve the relationship with customers as well as their support Be aware in advance of stakeholder reactions to your socialenvironmental performance Sectors that depend on relationships such as retail use knowledge management to improve customer service and offer greater depth and quality of product and service Clarke 2001 Environmental dimension Minimize the environmental impacts of products and services throughout their life cycle Act in compliance with laws and regulations Typically organizations are returning the following benefits from knowledge management initiatives better positioning for regulatorylegislative changes Butler 2000 c 3 Knowledge development it concerns the generation of new skills new products better ideas and more efficient processes Economic dimension Increase the ability to develop new ideas and solutions that add value or reduce costs Generate new skills and more efficient processes Improve employee productivity A knowledge management philosophy emphasizes collaborative learning so that they can add more value to their products and services for customers Bhatt 2001 Social dimension Produce skills not yet present in the organization Empower employees Favor organizational learning Improve staff retention Making knowledge available to the right worker at the right time and place is vital to building and maintaining an organizations competencies Kwan and Balasubramanian 2003 Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 1016 Environmental dimension Enhance innovation Drive improvements in the efficiency and consistency of workflows Knowledge management has gained importance since the 1990s Companies hope to improve their ability to innovate and increase process efficiency Gronau and Weber 2004 d 4 Knowledge sharing it is a vital precondition for transforming information and experience into something that every organization can use Economic dimension Favor the development of desired products and services Improve decisionmaking ability The transfer of this knowledge ultimately improves the operational performance of the organization as a whole resulting in reduced expenses and increased revenue Butler 2000 Social dimension Emphasize collaborative learning Favor feedback Support learning cycles Build strong relationships with stakeholders through transparent operations An important aspect is to allow feedback and learning cycles between the different levels and phases ie experience from operational levels is transferred back to the strategic and normative level as well as experience from the strategic level being transferred to the normative level Baumgartner 2014 Environmental dimension Sharing best practices Apply environmental criteria at all decisionmaking levels To obtain such efficiencies companies must apply environmental criteria at all decisionmaking levels and redesign dated operations and processes Bansal 2002 e 5 Use of knowledge ensure that the knowledge present in the organization is used for its benefit since knowledge is worthless if it is not used It is related to the three dimensions It provides the appropriate environment and mechanisms to ensure that ideas are incorporated into products and services ensures that the knowledge present in the organization is used for its benefit changes the way the companys cultural infrastructure operates when it embeds knowledge in cultural and organizational values and changes the way the companys mechanical infrastructure operates The view that knowledge embodied in new products and services has become the main source of wealth creation and the source of sustainable competitive advantage is stimulated by various impulses of the new economy Clarke 2001 f 6 Retention of knowledge selectively retaining information documents and organizational experiences requires management and plays an important role given that past experiences form a reference structure for future learning processes Economic dimension Let lessons learned be captured and shared Form a frame of reference for future learning processes Improve decisionmaking capacity Keep processes and functions clear and defined so that activities are conducted efficiently ensure that lessons learned from past successes and failures of the product are captured and shared through the development of an appropriate process Butler 2000 Social dimension Allow activities to be conducted efficiently Increase the ability of employees to deliver the results for which they are responsible Increase confidence and job satisfaction Better knowledge support will allow more work to be done the first time increasing confidence and job satisfaction Wiig 1999 Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 1116 Environmental dimension What activities are conducted efficiently GC efforts aimed at improving access to and retrieval of such information can therefore improve workflow efficiency and consistency The definition of business rules requires effective capture of the organizations knowledge and best practices in the sector Raghu and Vinze 2007 Source The authors themselves 2021 From this information it is possible to identify how each KM process impacts the sustainability of an organization more specifically in each of its dimensions It was possible to locate that KM significantly affects the three dimensions of sustainability economic social and environmental The impact of KM can be identified in numerous organizational aspects related to sustainability such as the development of new products and services desired by customers the improvement of innovation efficient support to employees through adequate motivations and incentives and enables by maintaining a clear definition of processes and functions that activities are conducted efficiently Thus considering the relationships between the variables presented and the arguments that support and justify these relationships it is possible to formalize the proposed conceptual model considering the objective of studying and understanding how the blockchain helps in the execution of KM and how it impacts the results sustainability of organizations The model is presented in Figure 1 Figure 1 Conceptual model Source The authors themselves 2021 The question in this model consists of the summary exposition of the elements that compose it The technology blockchain constitutes the input of the model being treated as an organizational resource Then it is applied to the KM which assumes the role of a knowledge transformation element in the model This application of the blockchain resource to KM results in organizational sustainability seen in the process as an output of this application of the blockchain resource in KM processes The model continues with the exposition of the variables and seeks to represent the existing relationships between the themes studied The relationship between KM and sustainability in this model can be considered as a temporal relationship of dependence existing in this relationship in addition to the independent and dependent variables also an antecedent variable As its name suggests the antecedent variable is found before the other variables It indicates a compelling and accurate influence that clarifies the consequences that precede the relationship between the independent and dependent variables Marconi and Lakatos 2003 In the model the theme that assumes the role of this variable is blockchain technology since it precedes the relationship of change and impact between KM and sustainability from its application to the INPUT APPLICATION RESULT ANTECEDENT VARIABLE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE CAUSE DYNAMIC EFFECT Technology Sustainability Knowledge Management Processes Economic dimension Social dimension Environmental dimension ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY BLOCKCHAIN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT Knowledge identification Knowledge aquisition Knowledge development Knowledge sharing Use of knowledge Knowledge retention Descentralization Mutual trust Transparency Encryption Traceability Immutability Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 1216 management of organizational knowledge KM is the independent variable which consists of the variable responsible for affecting another variable the condition or cause of a particular result or consequence It is the factor of the relationship that can be manipulated Marconi and Lakatos 2003 KM is understood as the independent variable because the improvement of KM processes which are responsible for changing the knowledge base of an organization and whose objective is the adequate availability and application of knowledge causes impacts on the organization and the impacts studied in this research focus on organizational sustainability understood as a result Sustainability in turn assumes the role of a dependent variable in this relationship This variable is the part of the relationship that varies as the independent variable is modified that is it is the effect or result of something manipulated Marconi and Lakatos 2003 It is understood as a dependent because the impacts on the dimensions of sustainability vary according to changes in the independent variable that is KM Richarson 1999 Blockchain as an antecedent variable does not rule out the relationship between KM and sustainability but clarifies the influences that precede this relationship Marconi and Lakatos 2003 5 CONCLUSION The diversity of potential applications of blockchain technology and the embryonic state of research in this field stimulated interest and publications on the subject Meiriño 2019 as is the case of the present research which aims to develop a representative conceptual model of the relationships between blockchain technology KM and sustainability More than that the objective of the research derives from potential relationships between the themes addressed Blockchain technology is seen as a solution to organizations technological problems KM in turn encounters several barriers to its execution and sustainability finally lacks a comprehensive management structure that makes it possible to achieve organizational objectives A systematic literature review and content analysis were carried out to achieve the proposed objective on the obtained portfolio Such methodologies allowed the achievement of the aim and the elaboration of the conceptual model through the observation of several existing relationships between the themes pointed out by the literature It is found that specific blockchain characteristics can enhance certain KM processes Still it is impossible to say that all features improve all processes given that the knowledge acquisition process had no identified relationship with any blockchain characteristic None of the other processes had a recognized relationship with all the characteristics The potential of blockchain combined with KM generates impacts such as greater visibility of existing knowledge in the organization identification of the context in which knowledge was produced increase in trust for knowledge sharing providing veracity and authenticity to knowledge increased security and reducing the risk of loss of knowledge among others It is also possible to verify in the literature that all KM processes to a greater or lesser extent generate impacts on the dimensions of sustainability Examples of these impacts can be seen in issues such as increased customer satisfaction better staff retention and improved efficiency and consistency of workflows such as improving the organizations innovation process maintaining competitive advantage and awarenessthe anticipation of stakeholder reactions to its performance But in addition to the results obtained this research also has some limitations many of which can be the subject of future research One of the limitations is that the research involves three completely different and complex themes but interconnected which is necessary to limit the systematic review of the literature with the search for data on only two bases Scopus and Web of Science limit the amount of data obtained There is also a limitation regarding the temporality of the research regarding the evolution of blockchain technology and its characteristics which limits the validity time of the research which was carried out based on the current attributes of the technology Also about blockchain the potential risks of adopting the technology were not 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httpsdoiorg101109bigdatacongress201785 APPENDIX A Unquoted portfolio articles RISIUS Marten SPOHRER Kai A Blockchain Research Framework What We dont Know Where We Go from Here and How We Will Get There Business Information Systems Engineering v 59 n 6 p 385 409 2017 BHATT Ganesh D Organizing knowledge in the knowledge development cycle Journal of knowledge management v 4 n 1 p 1526 2000 DAVENPORT Thomas H DE LONG David W BEERS Michael C Successful knowledge management projects Sloan management review v 39 n 2 p 4357 1998 MCINERNEY Claire Knowledge management and the dynamic nature of knowledge Journal of the American society for Information Science and Technology v 53 n 12 p 10091018 2002 QUINTAS Paul LEFRERE Paul JONES Geoff Knowledge management a strategic agenda Long range planning v 30 n 3 p 385391 1997 SHARIQ Syed Z Knowledge management an emerging discipline Journal of knowledge management v 1 n 1 p 7582 1997 WIIG Karl M Knowledge management an introduction and perspective Journal of knowledge Management v 1 n 1 p 614 1997 BAUMGARTNER Rupert J RAUTER Romana Strategic perspectives of corporate sustainability management to develop a sustainable organization Journal of Cleaner Production v 140 p 8192 2017 CARBALLOPENELA Adolfo CASTROMÁNDIZ Juan Luis Environmental policies for sustainable development an analysis of the drivers of proactive environmental strategies in the service sector Business Strategy and the Environment v 24 n 8 p 802818 2015 EPSTEIN Marc J BUHOVAC Adriana R YUTHAS Kristi Managing social environmental and financial performance simultaneously Long range planning v 48 n 1 p 3545 2015 HØGEVOLD Nils M et al Sustainable business models Baltic Journal of Management v 9 n 3 p 357380 2014 LOZANO Rodrigo HUISINGH Don Interlinking issues and dimensions in sustainability reporting Journal of cleaner production v 19 n 23 p 99107 2011 MEBRATU Desta Sustainability and sustainable development historical and conceptual review Environmental impact assessment review v 18 n 6 p 493 520 1998 MONTABON Frank PAGELL Mark WU Zhaohui Making sustainability sustainable Journal of Supply Chain Management v 52 n 2 p 1127 2016 Author contributions TF data collection analysis and article writing EPL identification of the subject orientation editing and revision SEGC guidance Also I orient you to adjust so that only my contact information remains in the corresponding author Knowledge management and blockchain technology for organizational sustainability conceptual model Brazilian Journal of Operations Production Management Vol 20 No 2 e20231354 httpsdoiorg1014488BJOPM13542023 1616 APPENDIX B Search results in the databases Duplicate removal Final portfolio Filtering with step 1 criteria Blockchain Knowledge Management Sustainability Database search Search results Database Scopus Database Web of Science Database Scopus Database Web of Science Database Scopus Database Web of Science Search knowledge management AND shar OR creat Search Blockchain OR blockchain Search sustainab OR triple bottom line AND social AND environment AND economic AND corporat OR service operation Gross result 8639 articles Gross result 831 articles Gross result 9862 articles Gross result 5606 articles Gross result 1507 articles Gross result 1373 articles Filter by number of citations 1735 articles Filter by number of citations 171 articles Filter by number of citations 891 articles Filter by number of citations 502 articles Filter by number of citations 447 articles Filter by number of citations 423 articles Portfolio 1906 articles Portfolio 1939 articles Portfolio 870 articles Title and abstract filter 119 articles Title and abstract filter 98 articles Title and abstract filter 53 articles Full reading filter 17 articles Full reading filter 12 articles Full reading filter 14 articles 43 articles No duplicates 1780 articles No duplicates 1044 articles No duplicates 640 articles