Purpose: This thesis critically investigates how blockchain and smart contracts can strategically enhance transparency, sustainability performance, and ethical compliance within the context of Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) in the fashion industry. It aims to transcend theoretical conjecture by empirically examining the multifaceted challenges and opportunities associated with blockchain adoption from a multi-stakeholder perspective.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Adopting a qualitative case study approach, the research draws empirical data from semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., C-level executives, sustainability managers, suppliers, and a blockchain expert) of a mid-sized European denim brand, complemented by analysis of internal company documentation and publicly available reports. The data is interpreted through a comprehensive multi-theoretical framework triangulating Stakeholder Theory, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the Triple Bottom Line (TBL).

Findings: The study unveils pervasive opacity, fragmented traceability, and significant trust deficits plaguing fashion supply chains, which undermine genuine sustainability claims. It reveals blockchain's profound potential to establish immutable transparency, facilitate proactive regulatory compliance (e.g., EU DPP, CSRD, CSDDD), and enable operational optimization. However, its effective realization is profoundly contingent upon overcoming critical socio-technical challenges, including foundational digital readiness gaps, high implementation costs with unclear immediate ROI, and deep-seated trust barriers among supply chain partners. The findings underscore that blockchain is not a standalone "magic tool," but rather requires strategic integration, collaborative governance, and a long-term, phased adoption roadmap.

Originality/Value: This thesis contributes significant empirical insights by applying established theories (Stakeholder Theory, TAM, TBL) to the underexplored context of blockchain adoption in sustainable fashion supply chains. It moves beyond conceptual discussions to provide a nuanced, critically assessed understanding of blockchain's real-world implications, highlighting both its transformative potential and the complex preconditions for its success. The research offers actionable, empirically-grounded recommendations for managers and policymakers, guiding a more realistic and effective transition towards verifiable sustainable and ethical practices.