Blockchain Technology for Oil and Gas: Implications and Adoption Framework Using Agile and Lean Supply Chains

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article deals with a very interesting topic of implementation and adoption of blockchain for oil and gas supply chains, focusing on agile and supply chain practices. The authors rightly pointed out that supply chain management of the oil and gas sector might be challenging due to the complexity of operations. The authors comprehensively explained how blockchain technology help to improve supply chain performance and might be a solution to overcome the challenges in the oil and gas industry in the literature review part. The general language of the article is fluent.

However, the article, as it stands, has a few shortcomings.

1. In the abstract, the aim and importance of the study were not given clearly not and the authors did not provide clear explanations about the methods used. The abstract should be revised to comprise and summarize the study extensively and clearly.

2. Did the authors develop a scale? It is not clear whether they developed a scale to test their research model or used another scale from the literature. 

3. There is a typo in the 2nd item of blockchain properties in figure 2, which should be corrected as information sharing (it is written as a inforamtipon sharing). 

4. Although the "References" section contains an extensive number of bibliography items from renowned journals, a limited number of studies about blockchain and especially its implementation in the natural gas industry are used. It is worth examining the case studies in the field which are very few. Moreover, to understand the adoption of blockchain technology in the oil and gas industry, the potential use cases should be also considered and explained in the literature review. I recommend the article "Tailored Blockchain Applications for the Natural Gas Industry: The Case Study of SOCAR" and the paper that propose a new blockchain system design to improve companies’ supply chain for constructing oil and gas infrastructure "A new blockchain system design to improve the supply chain of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies – a case study in the oil and gas sector". Another article which reveals use cases is also recommended "Blockchain in oil and gas industry: Applications, challenges, and future trends". A deeper look at blockchain technology considering the latest studies in the oil and gas industry, helps authors gain a broader perspective for the discussions.

Author Response

Response to reviewer

Point 1: The article deals with a very interesting topic of implementation and adoption of blockchain for oil and gas supply chains, focusing on agile and supply chain practices. The authors rightly pointed out that supply chain management of the oil and gas sector might be challenging due to the complexity of operations. The authors comprehensively explained how blockchain technology helps to improve supply chain performance and might be a solution to overcome the challenges in the oil and gas industry in the literature review part. The general language of the article is fluent.

Response: Thank you for your appreciation.

 

Point 2: However, the article, as it stands, has a few shortcomings. In the abstract, the aim and importance of the study were not given clearly not and the authors did not provide clear explanations about the methods used. The abstract should be revised to comprise and summarize the study extensively and clearly.

Response: Thanks for suggestion, we revised the abstract.  

Point 3: Did the authors develop a scale? It is not clear whether they developed a scale to test their research model or used another scale from the literature. 

Response: Thank you for being suggested to adding the scale, we have added into appendix I. However, Section 3.1 presents detailed information about measures and scale.

 

Point 4: There is a typo in the 2nd item of blockchain properties in figure 2, which should be corrected as information sharing (it is written as a inforamtipon sharing). 

Response: Thanks for correction, we revised the figure.  

Point 5: Although the "References" section contains an extensive number of bibliography items from renowned journals, a limited number of studies about blockchain and especially its implementation in the natural gas industry are used. It is worth examining the case studies in the field which are very few. Moreover, to understand the adoption of blockchain technology in the oil and gas industry, the potential use cases should be also considered and explained in the literature review. I recommend the article "Tailored Blockchain Applications for the Natural Gas Industry: The Case Study of SOCAR" and the paper that propose a new blockchain system design to improve companies’ supply chain for constructing oil and gas infrastructure "A new blockchain system design to improve the supply chain of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies – a case study in the oil and gas sector". Another article which reveals use cases is also recommended "Blockchain in oil and gas industry: Applications, challenges, and future trends". A deeper look at blockchain technology considering the latest studies in the oil and gas industry, helps authors gain a broader perspective for the discussions.

Response: Thank you for recommending the nice articles. We included these in a revised manuscript.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

 

 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Response to Reviewer

 

The topic of the paper is interesting and relevant in the present context. The flow and presentation of the contents in the manuscript is satisfactory.

 

Response: Thank you for your appreciation.

 

Point 1:  

Nevertheless, following are some of the suggestions for further enrichment of the paper:

The contribution of the paper is not well-positioned as compared to the existing literature. First, the scope of the literature review is not clear. Second, the contribution as compared to the existing literature is not well stated. Explicitly mention the novelty/ contribution of this research work and discuss why the work is important. It is also suggested to put some research questions the paper is addressing in bullet form.

Response: Thank you for your valuable comments. We modified our contribution and need of study in revised manuscript. Reference of page 2, line 74 to 87. However, we added the research question from RQ 1 to RQ3 from page 2, line 92 to 95.

 

Point 2:

- It is a fact that industry, including oil and gas, needs to embrace Block chain technology to reap its benefit. However, what are the challenges to implement it and how the industry can overcome the challenges need more exploration. In the paper, authors have concluded that block chain technology is suitable for agile supply chain rather than for lean supply chain. Further, authors have presented a schematic diagram (Figure 3) related to the implication of block chain technology.  I would suggest authors discuss the challenges and the way out to overcome them while incorporating block chain technology for agile/ lean supply chain and incorporate them in the figure.

 

Response: Thanks for suggesting these points. Regarding adoption barriers we included four major barriers for adoption of Blockchain technology. But I believe for this purpose we need to conduct an independent study and we highlight this gap for future work.

Referring to page 13 line 450 to 483.

 

Point 3:

- There are some unclear statements/ mistakes in the statements, which need revision. For e.g.:

• Line no 13-18
• Line no 72-76
• Line no 79
• Line no 99-100
• Line no 187-188
• Line no 384-385

 

Moreover, some statements are very long. It is suggested to breakdown long statements into multiple small statements.

 

- Line no 379-381 is out of context. The authors are referring to Table no 5, which is not available in the manuscript.

 

Response: Thanks for highlighting these issues, we revised the update into manuscript.

 

Point 4:

- Authors have mentioned that the data were collected from 185 participants. However, there is no proper discussion about their profile. I would suggest adding a table showing the demographic profile of the participants such as their position, working experience, designation, …….

 

Response: Thank you for suggestion to add the respondent profile. We added a new section 4.1 demographic analysis for presentation the profile of respondent. Referring to page 8 and 9, line 301 to 337.

 

Point 5:

- The response rate to your questionnaire survey is very good. Could you please explain how did you achieved it?

 

Response: Author have 5 years professional experience to work in the oil and gas industry and author contact directly to SC manager and asked them to participate into survey.

 

Point 6:

- Add separate section/ sub-section related to the “Managerial implication” and “Limitations” of this research work.

 

Response: Thanks for suggestion, we added section 5.1. “implication” and 5.2” limitation and future work”

 

Point 7:

- Add questionnaire survey sample in the appendix section.

 

Response: We added Appendix I.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Authors have address all the comments that I gave during the first round of review.