Blockchain as a Digital Coordination Infrastructure for Project Management: A Systematic Review and Integrative Framework

Authors

• Cherie Bakker Noteboom, Dakota State UniversityFollow
• Sai Neelima Seru, Dakota State UniversityFollow
• Aravindh Sekar, Dakota State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Blockchain technology has gained increasing attention as a digital infrastructure capable of improving transparency, trust, and coordination in complex, multi-organizational project environments. However, existing research on blockchain-enabled project management remains fragmented and industry-focused, providing limited guidance for organizational adoption and integration. This study addresses this gap through a systematic literature review of 29 peer-reviewed studies, following PRISMA guidelines, to examine how blockchain capabilities are incorporated into project management practices across industries and maturity stages.

Grounded in Resource-Based View and Coordination Theory, the analysis employs a feature-to-process mapping approach to link six core blockchain capabilities—decentralization, transparency, immutability, smart contracts, traceability, and cryptographic security—to key project management functions. Results indicate that blockchain adoption is strongest in integration, communications, quality, procurement, and stakeholder management, where coordination complexity and multi-party verification requirements are highest. Adoption remains largely conceptual or experimental, with limited operational deployment beyond construction-oriented contexts.

Building on these findings, the study develops a three-layer integrative framework that conceptualizes blockchain as an organizational coordination capability connecting technological resources, management processes, and performance outcomes. The framework provides decision support for project management offices and technology leaders seeking to evaluate blockchain use cases, implementation readiness, and governance implications. This research contributes to the information systems literature by advancing understanding of technology–process alignment while identifying critical gaps and future research directions in blockchain-enabled project management.

Recommended Citation

Noteboom, Cherie Bakker; Seru, Sai Neelima; and Sekar, Aravindh (2026) "Blockchain as a Digital Coordination Infrastructure for Project Management: A Systematic Review and Integrative Framework," Journal of International Technology and Information Management: Vol. 35: Iss. 1, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.58729/1941-6679.1643
Available at: https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/jitim/vol35/iss1/1