Systematic Literature Review of Blockchain Technology’s Technical Challenges: A Tertiary Study

Abstract

Research into blockchain technology has expanded significantly due to its potential to enhance transparency and trust in business operations, yet adoption is limited by technical challenges like scalability, consensus mechanisms, and security, as well as non-technical barriers such as governance and standardization. This study synthesizes findings from 21 systematic literature reviews (SLR) published between January 2009 and January 2024, focusing on the technical performance of blockchain and its integration with technologies like cloud computing and machine learning. The analysis highlights advancements in scalability, security, privacy, and smart contracts alongside areas needing more research, such as interoperability and integration with legacy systems. This comprehensive review aims to map current technological developments, identify ongoing limitations, and identify specific technical challenges that impede broader adoption. The findings direct future research towards overcoming these barriers, facilitating the smoother implementation of blockchain across various business sectors.

Keywords

• blockchain
• smart contract
• consensus protocol
• systematic literature review
• tertiary review