Presenting a Sustainable Supply Chain Model Based on Blockchain Technology in Iran’s Oil and Gas Industry (Case Study: Fajr Jam Refinery)

Abstract

Considering the increasing complexity of supply chains in the oil and gas industry and the growing pressures arising from sustainability, transparency, and accountability requirements, the application of emerging technologies—particularly blockchain—has attracted attention as an innovative solution. However, the absence of indigenous, comprehensive, and empirically grounded models for implementing blockchain-based sustainable supply chains in Iran’s oil and gas industry constitutes a fundamental challenge. The objective of the present study is to design and explain an integrated model for a blockchain-based sustainable supply chain with a focus on Fajr Jam Refinery. This research is applied–developmental in purpose and employs a mixed-methods (qualitative–quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, the principal dimensions and components of a blockchain-based sustainable supply chain were identified through a meta-synthesis method and a systematic review of the literature. To evaluate the quality of the studies, the CASP methodological criteria were applied, resulting in the selection of 30 high-quality scientific articles as the analytical foundation. Subsequently, in order to validate and refine the indicators, a Hesitant Fuzzy Delphi technique was employed with the participation of experts from the oil and gas industry and the supply chain field. Thereafter, to analyze the causal relationships among the indicators and to determine their degrees of influence and dependence, the Hesitant Fuzzy DEMATEL technique was utilized. The findings led to the identification of five main dimensions—economic, environmental, social, technological, and governance—which were organized into 26 final sub-criteria. The results of the analysis indicate that the technological and governance dimensions play a causal and driving role in the establishment of a blockchain-based sustainable supply chain, whereas the social and environmental dimensions exhibit the highest levels of susceptibility to influence from other components.