Financing Strategy on Accounts Receivable Supply Chain via Blockchain Technology

Supply chains frequently encounter complexities and inefficiencies in accounts receivable financing, a critical issue this study tackles by exploring blockchain’s potential to enhance the process. The research develops a hybrid coordination mechanism for a three-tier accounts receivable supply chain (ARSC) involving a raw material supplier, manufacturer, and retailer, integrating blockchain features. It compares optimal financing decisions and outcomes between a traditional ARSC and one enhanced with blockchain. The study introduces two financing modes within the ARSC to evaluate blockchain’s impact, analyzing how key parameters influence stakeholders’ decisions, strategies, and profits. Results show blockchain integration can—under specific parameter constellations—lead to higher retailer orders, contingent on elevated information elasticity and low information-sharing costs, thereby potentially benefiting upstream suppliers. A contract that includes wholesale price discounts and streamlined payment transfers between members can effectively coordinate the blockchain-integrated ARSC. This research offers novel theoretical insights and strategic direction for financing ARSC with blockchain, advancing the field by juxtaposing conventional financing with blockchain-enhanced models, highlighting blockchain’s role in optimizing supply chain financing and coordination.

History: This paper was refereed.

Funding: This research is supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China [Grant 23BGL134], the Social Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [Grant 23GLB026], the Jiangsu Specially Appointed Professor Scheme [Grant D21006200113], the Natural Science Research of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of China [Grant 24KJB630012], the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grant 72232002], and the Humanities and Social Science Fund of Ministry of Education of China [Grant 20YJA630086].