Blockchain effect on the New Connect Stock Exchange

Aim/purpose – Blockchain is a distributed database system widely popular in social and business spheres. As a result, interest in blockchain technology is utilised by listed companies, who, thanks to the announcement of blockchain application, record a significant increase in the share value. The aim of this publication is to analyse the situation with regard to companies listed on the New Connect market, who over the last two years, expressed an interest in blockchain technology in their communication with investors. Design/methodology/approach – Observing the range of applications of this technology in business, a study was conducted to check if and how the information on using the blockchain technology affects the quotations of the New Connect market listed companies that applied it. Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), a method developed by Ragin was chosen as a complementary research method. An underlying assumption of QCA is that social phenomena involve complex causality. Findings – In most cases, companies releasing blockchain application announcements counted on fast and high growth of the quotations. In most of the analysed cases, blockchain technology utilisation announcements were not fulfilled. This could be a result of conscious tactics towards investors, a rapid increase in quotations and/or a lack of competence and resources to implement blockchain technology. Investors should analyse the business activity of a company before investing. Research implications/limitations – Research is conducted with a small sample of 11 companies from the New Connect market in Poland. Consequently, to obtain more general results, it is recommended for future research to use a larger sample such as other stock exchanges in Europe and USA. Originality/value/contribution – The research revealed that new blockchain technology is used by some listed companies on the New Connect market for short-term share growth. Investors are becoming increasingly more attracted to the fashion for the new blockchain technology without understanding its mechanism. Accordingly, this study will also attempt to explain such a mechanism.