A Conceptual Framework for Decentralized Finance with Emphasis on Risk Management: A Mixed-Methods Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hamidreza Tayerani Rad
Najmeh Kargar Kamvar
Hoda Hemati
Seyed Alireza Mirarab Bayegi
Department of Management, Ro.C., Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran
10.22034/jik.2026.78919.4862
Abstract
The main research problem lies in the absence of a clear strategy and operational framework for simultaneously managing risk and finance in decentralized financial environments in Iran, alongside existing legal, technological, and cultural constraints. The research employs a mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, 17 in-depth interviews were conducted with financial managers, technology specialists, faculty members, and experts from financial institutions. Content analysis based on grounded theory was used to extract the key components of the model. In the quantitative phase, a 74-item questionnaire based on the final conceptual model was distributed among financial market participants and FinTech companies. Data were analyzed using statistical methods, descriptive analysis, and structural equation modeling. The findings indicate that the integration of risk and finance in DeFi enhances transparency, accountability, and investor trust. The development of blockchain infrastructure and self-regulatory frameworks plays a crucial role in reducing operational and systemic risks. Moreover, cultural resistance and institutional constraints were identified as the primary barriers to the adoption of this model in Iran.
Keywords
Risk integration
finance
decentralized finance
DeFi
financial transparency
investor trust
blockchain infrastructure
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