Evidential Value of Smart Contracts: A Review from the Viewpoint of Archival Trustworthiness in the light of Turkish Legislative Conditions
TURKISH LIBRARIANSHIP, cilt.40, sa.2, ss.328-354, 2026 (ESCI, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Cilt numarası: 40 Sayı: 2
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.24146/tk.1749156
- Dergi Adı: TURKISH LIBRARIANSHIP
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA), Directory of Open Access Journals, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.328-354
- İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine whether archival trustworthiness approaches can be utilized to preserve the evidential value of smart contracts, which have emerged as a novel type of record, within the context of Turkish legislation. Method: Document analysis, as a qualitative research method, was selected in the study. The evidential value characteristics sought by Turkish legislation in smart contracts are determined, and how they can be preserved with archival trustworthiness approaches are discussed. Findings: The study demonstrates that archival trustworthiness approaches can be highly effective in preserving the evidential value of smart contracts. The relationship between smart contracts and their natural language equivalents can be established through an archival bond. It is acknowledged that processes executed via smart contracts should be conducted in accordance with established records management standards and the organizational records management policies and procedures. It is evident that aligning systems in operation with recognized standards, in conjunction with implementing procedural frameworks associated with the process, enhances the preservation of evidential value. Implications: In this study, the evidential value characteristics sought by Turkish legislation in smart contracts are determined, and the ways in which they can be protected by archival trustworthiness approaches are discussed. It is concluded that successful results can be achieved by adopting these approaches to preserve the evidential value of smart contracts. Originality: Despite numerous studies on the application of blockchain technology in archiving and records management, there is a lack of research evaluating smart contracts as a distinct record genre, and their evidential value has not been addressed. This article can therefore be regarded as a pioneering example in the fields of archiving and records management, which have played a seminal role in its development.