Evaluating Barriers of Blockchain-Based Platforms Implementation for Subsidized Foods Supply Chains: A Hybrid Approach Based on BWM and WINGS Methods

Governments use online platforms to keep track of transactions in the supply chain (SC) of subsidized foods to prevent fraud. Although regular checks of warehouses and documents were conducted, current platforms failed to resolve the issue. Blockchain technology (BT) provides governments with the ability to access transparent and real-time data to address these challenges. In this paper, we examine the key challenges influencing the implementation of a BT platform for managing subsidized food products in Iran. The barriers appear to be interconnected. We present a model that integrates the Best-Worst method (BWM) for obtaining independent weights and the Weighted Influence Non-Linear Gauge System (WINGS) using a rescaling scheme for considering the interrelatedness between the criteria. Expert opinions and literature reviews are used to identify critical factors. According to the findings, the costs of implementing and maintaining the system, as well as the regular restructuring of government rules regarding the data to be collected, are the two main challenges of implementing this new technology. Moreover, there are concerns about the cooperation with downstream entities of SC, cultural differences among partners, and their knowledge level, which may affect the complexity of downstream implementation. The results of sensitivity analysis show that WINGS gives greater weight to factors that have more impact on others. Conversely, the weight of factors that are interwoven with other factors and factors that aren't influenced by other factors is reduced as compared to the independent relative importance obtained from BWM.