Blockchain-enabled construction supply chain management: a scientometric and content analysis of applications, barriers and future prospects

Purpose The construction supply chain (CSC) faces persistent inefficiencies, opacity, and fragmented collaboration. Blockchain technology (BT) has been proposed as a remedy, yet adoption in construction supply chain management (CSCM) remains limited. This study synthesises current knowledge on blockchain-enabled CSCM, focusing on applications, adoption barriers, integration with complementary technologies, and future research directions. Design/methodology/approach A scientometric analysis was employed to examine 145 systematically filtered publications on blockchain-enabled CSCM, providing a critical understanding of research trends, thematic structures, and knowledge developments. A content analysis of 40 selected high-impact articles was conducted to elucidate key applications, challenges, integration pathways, and future research directions. Findings BT’s main applications in CSCM include enhancing transparency and traceability, automating payments through smart contracts, and enabling real-time collaboration when integrated with Building Information Modeling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT), and digital twins. Adoption, however, is constrained by interoperability challenges, high implementation costs, data privacy concerns, regulatory gaps, and organisational resistance. Research remains fragmented, with limited cross-disciplinary collaboration and a lack of large-scale empirical validations. Originality/value This study synthesises blockchain-CSCM literature using a mixed-method scientometric and content analysis approach, offering a comprehensive thematic synthesis that bridges conceptual propositions with practical adoption challenges. The study advances both academic discourse and practical implementation, guiding the construction industry toward more transparent, efficient, and resilient supply chains.