blockchain technologies

Government Information Quarterly

A key challenge behind the adoption of blockchain in the public sector is understanding the dynamics of blockchain governance. Based on a systematic literature review, this article analyzes different approaches to blockchain governance across disciplines and develops a comprehensive conceptual framework for the study of blockchain governance decisions in the public sector. The framework clusters nine types of governance decisions (infrastructure architecture, application architecture, interoperability, decision-making mechanism, incentive mechanism, consensus mechanism, organization of governance, accountability of governance, and control of governance) into three levels of analysis (micro, meso , and macro-levels). Drawing on public management theories and concepts, the article elucidates the implications of various governance choices in each level of governance and provides a primer for researchers and policy practitioners on the design of blockchain-based systems in the public sector. • Blockchain governance decisions in the public sector can be analyzed at micro, meso, and macro levels • Governance needs to be aligned with the policy objectives, public values, institutional framework, and societal expectations. • Legislative, market, political-administrative, and socio-technological framework conditions may accentuate certain choices . • Blockchain governance is innately not agnostic nor apolitical. • Blockchain technology likely necessitates public sector organizations to give up certain prerogatives in public management.

Blockchain governance in the public sector: A conceptual framework for public management