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FACTORS INFLUENCING THE USE INTENTION OF SMART CONTRACTS BETWEEN PHARMACEUTICAL ENTERPRISES AND THEIR RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIERS
ALEXANDRE Prati, Miguel Aguirre-Urreta

Smart contracts are digital protocols that are used to execute or enforce contracts automatically according to conditions previously agreed between parties. These contracts are enabled by blockchain technology which ensures the authenticity of the data, reducing transaction costs and increasing transparency in the process. Previous studies have analyzed some of the factors that influence smart contracts adoption or use intention between companies within different industries. However, understanding the use intention of smart contracts between a pharmaceutical company and its suppliers is something relatively novel. Using the Technology-Organization-Environment theory (TOE) as the framework for measuring some of factors that shape the smart contracts use intention, we developed a testable model consisting of three dimensions and eight hypotheses. Initial pilot included 200 respondents and the main study included 102 companies across several countries, such as Brazil, India, China, Italy, Germany, Spain. Findings from this research will benefit and improve both pharmaceutical companies and their suppliers’ processes. Moreover, its findings will be of similar benefit to all analogous businesses and industries that have alike operations. Finally, this research has the potential to contribute to the literature by not only examining the employment of blockchain smart contracts in the supply chain and testing the potential benefits that this technology brings for the companies, but also by helping to advance the theories related to the application of new technologies in international markets.

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