Why do blockchains split? An actor-network perspective on Bitcoin splits

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119743Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • We investigate the focal actors in a blockchain network and their heterogeneity in splits.

  • We utilize actor-network theory to examine Bitcoin splits.

  • We identify eight focal types of actors and describe their roles in Bitcoin splits.

  • We find that the consolidation of actors in homogeneous groups plays a key role in blockchain splits.

Abstract

This paper investigates the focal actors in a blockchain network and their heterogeneity in splits. Disagreements in blockchain communities often lead to splits in both the blockchain and the community. We use three key elements of the actor-network theory — punctualization, translation, and actor heterogeneity—and employ case study methodology to examine Bitcoin splits. We identify several human actors, such as miners, developers, merchants, and investors, as well as non-human actors, including blockchain, exchanges, hardware manufacturers, and wallets, involved in Bitcoin splits. Our results show that the consolidation of actors in homogeneous groups plays a key role in blockchain splits. We further describe how the human and non-human actors' fluid moves into micro and macro actor positions in the network affect the development of the split. In addition, we discuss the roles of these actors and their engagement in forming micro and macro agencies in blockchain splits.

Keywords

Blockchain
Actor-network theory
Heterogeneity
Bitcoin
Split
Fork

Cited by (0)

A.K.M. Najmul Islam works as University Research Fellow at the Department of Future Technologies, University of Turku. Dr. Islam holds a PhD (Information Systems Science) from the University of Turku and an M.Sc. (Eng.) from Tampere University of Technology. His research has been published in outlets such as Computers & Education, Telematics & Informatics, Journal of Information Systems Education, AIS Transaction on Human-Computer Interaction, Computers in Human Behavior, and Behaviour & Information Technology.

Matti Mäntymäki is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems Science (tenure track) at the University of Turku, and an Adjunct Professor of Information Systems at the University of Oulu. He holds a PhD (DSc in Economics) degree from the University of Turku, Finland. His research has been published in journals such as Computers in Human Behavior, International Journal of Information Management and Behaviour & Information Technology.

Marja Turunen is a post-doctoral researcher Information Systems Science at the University of Turku. She holds a PhD (DSc in Technology) from Aalto University, an MBA in Strategy, from Aalto University and University of Washington, and an MA in Psychology. Her research has been published in journals, books and conference proceedings of Academy of Management, Strategic Management Society, European Group of Organizational Studies, Information Federation of Information Sciences among others.