This study investigates the influence of blockchain and smart contracts on partners’ trust, increasing visibility, competitiveness, and environmental performance when implemented in manufacturing supply chains. Partial least squares (PLS) was the main method used to test and verify the research model and hypotheses. According to the test results, blockchain and smart contracts positively influence partners’ trust. Increasing trust produces a positive effect on increasing visibility, further promoting competitiveness and environmental performance. However, the vulnerability of smart contracts still causes information security concerns. If smart contracts are adopted for an extended time, partners will worry about problems of information vulnerability stemming from the smart contract, further reducing trust and affecting visibility. Regarding academic implications, this study not only proves the relationship between blockchain, smart contracts, partners’ trust, increasing visibility, competitiveness, and environmental performance. In addition, we also proved the vulnerability of smart contracts; our test results fill these gaps. Regarding practical implications, with extended contract periods, partners may expand their doubt in the smart contract and reduce information sharing, further affecting visibility. Manufacturers are reminded that smart contracts may carry hidden trouble that disrupts the relationship between partners’ trust and visibility.

中文翻译：

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区块链和智能合约对合作伙伴在制造供应链中的信任、可见性、竞争力和环境绩效的影响

本研究调查了在制造供应链中实施区块链和智能合约对合作伙伴信任、提高知名度、竞争力和环境绩效的影响。偏最小二乘法（PLS）是检验和验证研究模型和假设的主要方法。根据测试结果，区块链和智能合约对合作伙伴的信任产生积极影响。增加信任对提高知名度、进一步提升竞争力和环境绩效产生积极影响。然而，智能合约的脆弱性仍然会引发信息安全问题。如果长时间采用智能合约，合作伙伴会担心智能合约带来的信息漏洞问题，进一步降低信任度，影响可见性。关于学术意义，本研究不仅证明了区块链、智能合约、合作伙伴信任、提高知名度、竞争力和环境绩效之间的关系。此外，我们还证明了智能合约的脆弱性；我们的测试结果填补了这些空白。在实际影响方面，随着合同期限的延长，合作伙伴可能会扩大对智能合约的怀疑，减少信息共享，进一步影响可见性。提醒制造商，智能合约可能存在隐患，破坏合作伙伴的信任和可见性之间的关系。我们还证明了智能合约的脆弱性；我们的测试结果填补了这些空白。在实际影响方面，随着合同期限的延长，合作伙伴可能会扩大对智能合约的怀疑，减少信息共享，进一步影响可见性。提醒制造商，智能合约可能存在隐患，破坏合作伙伴的信任和可见性之间的关系。我们还证明了智能合约的脆弱性；我们的测试结果填补了这些空白。在实际影响方面，随着合同期限的延长，合作伙伴可能会扩大对智能合约的怀疑，减少信息共享，进一步影响可见性。提醒制造商，智能合约可能存在隐患，破坏合作伙伴的信任和可见性之间的关系。