Skip to main content

​
Exploring Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) Governance: An integrative literature review

This paper presents an integrative review of the multi-faceted nature of DAO governance, aiming to consolidate fragmented research into a cohesive framework. Th

​
Abstract

This paper presents an integrative review of the multi-faceted nature of DAO governance, aiming to consolidate fragmented research into a cohesive framework. The study analyzes the foundational pillars of DAOs—autonomy, transparency, and decentralization—and discusses how these values are operationalized through technical architecture. The authors adopt an interdisciplinary approach, exploring how blockchain-enabled consensus protocols interact with existing legal and economic theory. The review identifies key operational patterns, such as the tension between protocol agility and decentralization, and discusses the role of automated smart contract execution in reducing coordination friction. It concludes with a critical look at the risks associated with code vulnerabilities and the inherent difficulties in enforcing accountability without traditional legal recourse. The review is particularly useful for scholars seeking a broad, high-level understanding of the socio-technical ecosystem of DAOs. Authors: S. M. R. Islam, M. A. H. M. A. H. M. A. H. Publication: Academic Paper Publication date: 2024-01-01

​
Key findings

  • The concept of autonomy in DAOs is constrained by the underlying technical limitations of smart contract platforms.
  • Governance is increasingly a hybrid of automated code execution and social consensus-building.
  • Transparency in DAOs often introduces new security risks, such as front-running of governance proposals.
  • The lack of legal personhood presents a significant bottleneck for DAOs interacting with traditional economic structures.

​
Citation

S. M. R. Islam, M. A. H. M. A. H. M. A. H. (2024). Exploring Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) Governance: An integrative literature review. Academic Paper. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385694204_Exploring_Decentralized_Autonomous_Organization_DAO_Governance_An_integrative_literature_review
Canonical knowledge ID: research:exploring-decentralized-autonomous-organization-dao-governance-an-integrative-literature-review