Profit Meets Purpose: How Blockchain is Transforming Sustainable Digital Entrepreneurship in Iringa Municipal, Tanzania
 |
International Journal of Recent Engineering Science (IJRES) |  |
| © 2024 by IJRES Journal | ||
| Volume-11 Issue-6 |
||
| Year of Publication : 2024 | ||
| Authors : Lusekelo Kibona |
||
| DOI : 10.14445/23497157/IJRES-V11I6P101 |
How to Cite?
Lusekelo Kibona, "Profit Meets Purpose: How Blockchain is Transforming Sustainable Digital Entrepreneurship in Iringa Municipal, Tanzania," International Journal of Recent Engineering Science, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 1-16, 2024. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23497157/IJRES-V11I6P101
Abstract
In recent years, the importance of sustainability in business has gained prominence, driven by increasing consumer awareness and demand for ethically produced goods and services. Entrepreneurs in Iringa Municipal have begun to recognize the potential of blockchain technology to address local challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and resource scarcity. This study explored the transformative potential of blockchain technology in fostering sustainable digital entrepreneurship. It aimed to understand how blockchain contributed to sustainable development and social impact, identified specific benefits for environmental and social sustainability, and examined the creation of sustainable business models through its implementation. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research gathered data from 108 respondents through surveys and interviews. Key findings revealed that blockchain significantly enhanced transparency, accountability, and collaboration among stakeholders while offering opportunities for ethical sourcing and community empowerment. However, challenges such as regulatory hurdles, technological limitations, and financial constraints emerged as barriers to scaling these initiatives. The study concluded by recommending strategic collaborations among stakeholders to maximize blockchain's benefits for sustainable regional development. This research contributed to the growing body of knowledge on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, highlighting blockchain's role in shaping a more sustainable future.
Keywords
Blockchain technology, Digital entrepreneurship, Sustainable development, Sustainable business models, Environmental sustainability, Market acceptance, Consumer awareness.
Reference
[1] Guo Hai, and Yang Zhuen, “From Digital Technology to Digital Entrepreneurship: Connotation, Characteristics and Internal Connection,” Foreign Economics & Management, vol. 43, no. 09, pp. 3-23, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Carmen Isensee, Frank Teuteberg, and Kai Michale Griese, “Success Factors of Organizational Resilience: A Qualitative Investigation of Four Types of Sustainable Digital Entrepreneurs,” Management Decision, vol. 61, no. 5, pp. 1244-1273, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Gedas Baranauskas, and Agota Giedre Raišienė, “Transition to Digital Entrepreneurship with a Quest of Sustainability: Development of a New Conceptual Framework,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 1-13, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Tetiana Kulinich et al., “Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Analysis of Trends in Dxigital Accounting, Management, and Marketing in Regional and Global Dimensions,” Dnieper State Academy of Construction and Architecture, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Mrisho Mbegu Malipula, “SMEs Sustainability Through Entrepreneurship Training in Tanzania," Journal of Enterprise and Development (JED), vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 384-397, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Semboja H. Haji, Beatus S. Silla, and Joseph N. Musuguri, “Tanzania as an Emerging Digital Economy,” Global Scientific Journal, vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 120-148, 2017.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Mawazo Mwita Magesa, and Joan Jonathan, “Conceptualizing Digital Leadership Characteristics for Successful Digital Transformation: The Case of Tanzania,” Information Technology for Development, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 777-796, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Ismail Juma Ismail, “I have to Apply this Strategy! Understanding the Mediating Effect of Digitalization on Strategic Orientations and Sustainable Competitive Advantage among Small Enterprises in Tanzania,” Management Matters, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 53-73, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Alberico Travassos Rosário, and Joana Carmo Dias, “The New Digital Economy and Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 14, pp. 1-23, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Timo Phillip Böttcher et al., “Digital Sustainable Business Models: Using Digital Technology to Integrate Ecological Sustainability into the Core of Business Models,” Information Systems Journal, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 736-761, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Aleksandra Kekkonen, Renee Pesor, and Marge Täks, “Stepping Towards the Green Transition: Challenges and Opportunities of Estonian Companies,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 1-27, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Karine Wendelborg Risdalen et al., “Sustainable Digital Transformation for Rural Business-A Case Study of a Norwegian Startup,” 2023 International Conference on ICT for Sustainability (ICT4S), Rennes, France, pp. 197-206, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Emmanuel Constantine Lupilya, and Kwangho Jung, “E-Government Transformation in Tanzania: Status, Opportunities, and Challenges,” Korean Journal of Policy Studies, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 147-184, 2015.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Erasto Kayumbe, and Lucy Michael, “Cyber Threats: Can Small Businesses in Tanzania Outsmart Cybercriminals,” International Research Journal of Advanced Engineering and Science, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 141-144, 2021.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Godfrey Mwandosya, Mikko Apiola, and Kristiina Lähde, “Building the Innovation Ecosystem in Tanzania: Four Viewpoints to Technology Business Incubation,” 2016 International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation/IEEE International Technology Management Conference (ICE/ITMC), Trondheim, Norway, pp. 1-9, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Gilbert E. Mushi, Giovana Di Marzo Serugendo, and Pierre-Yves Burgi, “Digital Technology and Services for Sustainable Agriculture in Tanzania: A Literature Review,” Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 1-17, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Giuliano Sansone et al., “Blockchain for Social Good and Stakeholder Engagement: Evidence from a Case Study,” Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 2182-2193, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Tony Erwin, and Baozhong Yang, “Green Energy, Emissions, and Blockchain Technology,” Fintech and Sustainability, pp. 29-51, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Gerard George, Ryan K. Merrill, and Simon J.D. Schillebeeckx, “Digital Sustainability and Entrepreneurship: How Digital Innovations are Helping Tackle Climate Change and Sustainable Development,” Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 999-1027, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Walid Al-Saqaf, and Nicolas Seidler, “Blockchain Technology for Social Impact: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead,” Journal of Cyber Policy, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 338-354, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Jesco Mhoja Nkwabi, “A Review of the Significance of Block Chain Technology in Tanzania,” European Journal of Business and Management, vol. 13, no. 16, pp. 1-5, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Said Hamisi Said et al., “A Blockchain-based Conceptual Model to Address Educational Certificate Verification Challenges in Tanzania,” Engineering, Technology and Applied Science Research, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 11691-11704, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Pelagia A. Mutarubukwa, and Mazana Y. Mazana, “The Role and Process of Social Entrepreneurship in a Developing Country: Case Studies From Dar-Es-Salaam and Mwanza, Tanzania,” Business Economic Development Conference, 2017.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Deus N. Shatta, “The Influence of Digital Technologies on Sustainable Supply Chain Performance in Public Procuring Entities: A Moderating Effect of Legal Frameworks,” International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 43-57, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[25] Arim Park, and Huan Li, “The Effect of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Sustainability Performances,” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 1-18, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Anil Varma et al., “Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Supply Chains: A Comprehensive Review and Future Prospects,” World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 980-994, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Sara Saberi et al., “Blockchain Technology and its Relationships to Sustainable Supply Chain Management,” International Journal of Production Research, vol. 57, no. 7, pp. 2117-2135, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Helga Pavlić Skender, and Petra Adelajda Zaninović, “Perspectives of Blockchain Technology for Sustainable Supply Chains,” Integration of Information Flow for Greening Supply Chain Management, pp. 77-92, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Francesco Mercuri, Gaetano Della Corte, and Federica Ricci, “Blockchain Technology and Sustainable Business Models: A Case Study of Devoleum,” Sustainability, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 1-14, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] Davide Calandra et al., “The Link Between Sustainable Business Models and Blockchain: A Multiple Case Study Approach,” Business Strategy and the Environment, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 1403-1417, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] Maurizio Massaro et al., “Crypto‐economy and New Sustainable Business Models: Reflections and Projections using a Case Study Analysis,” Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 2150-2160, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] Declan Bays, Emma Bennett, and Thomas Finnie, “Using Simulation to Assess the Potential Effectiveness of Implementing Screening at National Borders During International Outbreaks of Influenza, SARS, Ebola Virus Disease and COVID-19,” medRxiv, pp. 1-14, 2020.
[Google Scholar]
[33] Aswathy Sreenivasan, and M. Suresh, “Start-up Sustainability: Does Blockchain Adoption Drives Sustainability in Start-ups? A Systematic Literature Reviews,” Management Research Review, vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 390-405, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Pritam Rani, Pratima Sharma, and Indrajeet Gupta, “Toward a Greener Future: A Survey on Sustainable Blockchain Applications and Impact,” Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 354, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[35] Roberto Leonardo Rana et al., “Blockchain Applications and Sustainability Issues,” Amfiteatru Economic, vol. 21, no. 13, pp. 861-870, 2019.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[36] Barnabas Maagi, “Applicability of Blockchain Technology in Improving Efficiency in Supply Chain Operations in Public Procurement in Tanzania,” International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478), vol. 12, no. 9, pp. 91-98, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]