Blockchain Brings a New IT Capability: A Case Study of HNA Group
Wenchi Ying, Suling Jia · WORLD SCIENTIFIC eBooks · 2018
IT capability directly impacts organizational performance as well as internal and external cooperation, especially in the field of e-business. Blockchain, as an emerging information technology, has led to a significant trend involving IT-based transformation in recent years. However, despite fruitful research on IT capability and IT-based business innovation, the understanding on the applications of Blockchain technology remains unclear. Our study investigates the applications of this new Information Technology by examining a case study of HNA Group (formerly Hainan Airline), one of the Fortune 500 Companies. The findings of this case show that Blockchain brings a new IT capability — hybrid capability. This case highlights how to leverage Blockchain and its capability to create a new IT application and business model, which contribute to the cooperation between different types of business units in a distributed network. Accordingly, this case shows a new IT-based innovative direction.