“Blockchain: the relation with accounting and its application to Smart Cities”.

Abstract

In this thesis, we defined a study based on blockchain technology and the opportunities which it offers applied to various sectors. We have underlined the main facets of a blockchain, comparing its decentral feature to the traditional ledger in which the management was handled by a single authority, such as in banks and/or public administration, and its role in financial transactions indicating the main advantages and disadvantages in the accounting sector, especially as regards the credit risk management. In this research, we have not sought to directly expand the theoretical framework or to develop new general ideas about technological improvement, but rather to test existing hypotheses within the deductive research approach aimed at filling the lack of empirical evidence of such technological improvements. Subsequently, we explored the legislative field, taking into account the Italian regulations, where even today this technology is little used or is still seen as a possible threat due to the implementation problems that make its applicability and adaptability for different sectors difficult. This is contrary to what happens in the US, Japan, or China, where we can find more regulation. Finally, to give a more realistic view of the theoretical framework given initially, a case study will be presented relating to a Big Tech company, name Google’s May 2020 choice to collaborate with a blockchain company called Theta Labs. Thanks to the research giant's infrastructure and the use of Theta blockchain technology, users will be able to deploy nodes on the network. Since Google already previously operated as a blockchain, its collaboration with Theta Labs for their cloud service will take its decentralization to a whole new level. In summary, after outlining the situation at a general level and verifying the results obtained, we were able to see how, despite the great interest shown in this technology, which certainly plays a positive and important role in the management of commercial relationships, there are some aspects that make its implementation difficult.