ABSTRACT
A complex supply chain network is a system of interconnected businesses, people, and resources involved in producing and distributing a product or service. The complexity of these networks arises from the many stakeholders and intermediaries involved, as well as the interdependencies between them. Sharing data, storing transactions, increasing transparency and traceability, and preserving the privacy of stakeholders are critical issues in complex supply chain networks. Blockchain and smart contracts provide a platform for stakeholders to address these challenges and automate business processes in a complex supply chain network. In this research, we introduce the concept of Decentralized Autonomous Supply Chains (DAS), envisioned as a network of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) that interact through smart contracts. We investigate three types of DAS smart contracts: system contracts (eg, DAO onboarding, partner selection, and reputation management), intra-DAO contracts (eg, order processing and inventory management), and inter-DAO contracts (eg, legally binding agreements for products sale/purchase). The mathematical model of the DAS system is subsequently presented. To validate the proposed concept, the DAS framework was designed and implemented on a Hyperledger Fabric network, and its performance was evaluated using Hyperledger Caliper in terms of throughput and latency across various experimental scenarios. Results demonstrate that while increasing organizational and channel complexity impacts performance, the model ensures transparency, traceability, and privacy-preserving collaboration. Overall, this work positions blockchain and smart contracts as a foundation for building autonomous, trustworthy, and efficient supply chain ecosystems.
Raza, Zeeshan and Haq, Irfan ul and Schikuta, Erich, When Supply Chains Think for Themselves: Blockchain, Smart Contracts, and Autonomous DAOs. Posted to SSRN 18 November 2025.
Leave a Reply