Whitaker Ideas Forum: Dr Trevor Clohessy, The adoption of Blockchain in Ireland: Examining the influence of organizational factors

The emergence of blockchain as a trend in the information technology (IT) sector has attracted considerable attention from practitioners, academics, researchers and national development authorities. Blockchain is a foundational technology, which possesses the capacity to create new foundations for our economic and social systems. Modern applications of blockchain range from low novelty and complexity initiatives (e.g. bitcoin payments) to high novelty and complex initiatives (e.g. self-executing contracts).

In conjunction with the Blockchain Association of Ireland, we investigated the organizational factors that influenced Irish companies in their decisions to adopt blockchain. Based on a multiple-case study of 20 Irish companies, we identified three patterns: Top management support and organizational readiness are enablers for blockchain and large companies are more likely to adopt blockchain than small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These patterns confirm IT innovation adoption research. We explain this by examining the nature of blockchain and the characteristics of Ireland as a developed country.