Blockchain Technology for Transparency and Fraud Prevention in Supply Chain Management among Food, Beverages and Tobacco manufacturing companies in Nigeria

Supply-chain fraud and inadequate transparency remain significant governance challenges for manufacturing firms operating through complex inter-organisational networks. This study examines the relationships among technological, organisational and environmental conditions, blockchain adoption, supply-chain transparency and fraud-prevention capability among food, beverage and tobacco manufacturing firms registered with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Lagos, Nigeria.  The study adopted a cross-sectional quantitative survey design, anchored on the Technology–Organisation–Environment (TOE) framework. Twelve firms were purposively selected from the MAN directory, with eligible managers in supply-chain, procurement, logistics/warehouse, inventory, ICT/compliance and operations functions participating. Using Cochran’s (1977) formula for an infinite population, 389 questionnaires were administered, of which 384 were validly retrieved, representing a 98.7% valid response rate. Multiple regression analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics Version 29. Technology (β = 0.631, p < 0.001) and Environment (β = 0.128, p = 0.006) were positively associated with blockchain adoption, whereas Organisation was statistically insignificant (β = 0.073, p = 0.127). The TOE model explained 55.0% of observed variance in blockchain adoption. Blockchain adoption was positively associated with transparency (β = 0.558, R² = 0.311, p < 0.001), while blockchain adoption (β = 0.305) and transparency (β = 0.419) jointly explained 41.1% of observed variance in fraud-prevention capability (p < 0.001). The study concludes that technological and environmental conditions are significant predictors of blockchain adoption, while blockchain adoption and transparency are positively associated with fraud-prevention capability. Manufacturing firms should adopt blockchain, strengthen supply-chain transparency and improve fraud-control systems with appropriate regulatory support.