Abstract:
Blockchain technology (BCT) has caught tremendous attention from businesses. In the present study, the authors propose that if BCT is used to track a product’s life cycle, that is, when it was manufactured, purchased, and used by the first and subsequent owners, the information asymmetry present in the pre-owned automobile market can be significantly reduced. The study uses a qualitative procedure to explore the challenges which buyers, sellers and intermediaries face while buying and selling pre-owned automobiles, specifically in emerging economies. Theoretical constructs of the resource-based view and the trust-based marketing theory are used to explore the extent to which BCT can influence customer purchase intention and the marketing performance of firms dealing in pre-owned automobile products in emerging economies. We collected data by conducting eight focus group discussions with generation Y and Z individuals who had experience of buying or selling pre-owned automobiles. We also conducted five personal interviews with managers of pre-owned automobile online/omnichannel retailers to understand the industry’s point of view. Three themes emerged during the study: ‘current challenges in pre-owned automobile transactions,’ ‘scope of blockchain in pre-owned automobile transactions,’ and ‘concerns regarding blockchain adoption in pre-owned automobile transactions.’ We present our findings based on these three themes. Further, we propose a conceptual model and provide theoretical and managerial implications for the pre-owned automobile industry.