Hamayesh Arwin Alborz همایش آروین البرز MANJR فصلنامه پژوهش در مدیریت | MANJR 2 3 2026 09 06 Blockchain-Enabled Transparency and Relationship Continuity in Maritime Supply Chains: The Mediating Role of Interorganizational Trust Blockchain-Enabled Transparency and Relationship Continuity in Maritime Supply Chains: The Mediating Role of Interorganizational Trust 237 249 FA Mohammad Soltani Shirazi Master’s Student in Maritime Business Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Soltani Shirazi Master’s Student in Maritime Business Management, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Asadian Ghahfarokhi Assistant Professor, Department of Marine industries, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Asadian Ghahfarokhi Assistant Professor, Department of Marine industries, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Reza Samaei Assistant Professor, Department of Marine industries, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Seyed Reza Samaei Assistant Professor, Department of Marine industries, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran 2026 08 23 Trust remains a central challenge in maritime supply chains, where multiple stakeholders exchange operational, financial, and documentary information across fragmented and often asymmetric systems. Although blockchain technology has been widely discussed as a tool for improving transparency and traceability, less empirical attention has been given to how blockchain-enabled transparency strengthens interorganizational trust and supports continuity in maritime business relationships. This study develops and tests a relationship-oriented framework linking blockchain-enabled transparency, interorganizational trust, and relationship continuity in maritime supply chains. Blockchain-enabled transparency is conceptualized as the perceived ability of blockchain-based systems to provide traceable, immutable, timely, and shared information across supply chain actors. Interorganizational trust is examined as a mediating mechanism through which transparency reduces uncertainty and strengthens confidence among port and logistics stakeholders. Relationship continuity is defined as the willingness of organizations to maintain long-term cooperation with supply chain partners based on reliability, confidence, and reduced transactional risk. Empirical data are collected from organizational stakeholders involved in maritime logistics, including shipping agencies, freight forwarders, logistics service providers, import-export firms, and port-related actors. The proposed model is tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The expected findings indicate that blockchain-enabled transparency has a significant positive effect on interorganizational trust, which in turn strengthens relationship continuity. The results also suggest that trust partially mediates the relationship between blockchain-enabled transparency and continuity of business relationships. This study contributes to maritime business management literature by shifting attention from technology adoption to relationship outcomes. It demonstrates that the value of blockchain in maritime supply chains is not limited to technical efficiency but also lies in its ability to reduce information asymmetry, enhance trust, and stabilize long-term interorganizational cooperation. From a managerial perspective, the findings emphasize the need for maritime organizations to invest in transparent digital infrastructures that support reliable data sharing and trust-based collaboration. Trust remains a central challenge in maritime supply chains, where multiple stakeholders exchange operational, financial, and documentary information across fragmented and often asymmetric systems. Although blockchain technology has been widely discussed as a tool for improving transparency and traceability, less empirical attention has been given to how blockchain-enabled transparency strengthens interorganizational trust and supports continuity in maritime business relationships. This study develops and tests a relationship-oriented framework linking blockchain-enabled transparency, interorganizational trust, and relationship continuity in maritime supply chains. Blockchain-enabled transparency is conceptualized as the perceived ability of blockchain-based systems to provide traceable, immutable, timely, and shared information across supply chain actors. Interorganizational trust is examined as a mediating mechanism through which transparency reduces uncertainty and strengthens confidence among port and logistics stakeholders. Relationship continuity is defined as the willingness of organizations to maintain long-term cooperation with supply chain partners based on reliability, confidence, and reduced transactional risk. Empirical data are collected from organizational stakeholders involved in maritime logistics, including shipping agencies, freight forwarders, logistics service providers, import-export firms, and port-related actors. The proposed model is tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The expected findings indicate that blockchain-enabled transparency has a significant positive effect on interorganizational trust, which in turn strengthens relationship continuity. The results also suggest that trust partially mediates the relationship between blockchain-enabled transparency and continuity of business relationships. This study contributes to maritime business management literature by shifting attention from technology adoption to relationship outcomes. It demonstrates that the value of blockchain in maritime supply chains is not limited to technical efficiency but also lies in its ability to reduce information asymmetry, enhance trust, and stabilize long-term interorganizational cooperation. From a managerial perspective, the findings emphasize the need for maritime organizations to invest in transparent digital infrastructures that support reliable data sharing and trust-based collaboration. https://manjr.ir/downloadfilepdf/15817