Towards the Integration of Distributed Ledger Technologies in Supply Chain Management - Guidelines from the Automotive Industry

This paper explores the steps to meaningfully integrate distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) in enterprise networks, focusing on the development of guidelines to navigate this complex process in the automotive supply chain. Drawing upon insights from a case study, where a pilot DLT solution has been developed for the sake of greater network transparency, this study evaluates the requirements, barriers, and success factors associated with the integration. As data collection mechanisms, observations and expert interviews have been conducted with project participants from both the OEM of the supply chain and a consulting firm involved in the development. The outcome is a practice-oriented guideline informed by the implementation project that highlights the complexities involved in transitioning from a pilot project to a productive systems, emphasizing the importance of aligning DLT solutions with existing business processes and IT infrastructures.