Search Results (80)

Implementing hybrid carbon policies is crucial for supply chains’ low-carbon transition. However, the downstream retailer is often passive in low-carbon strategies, leading to fair issues that may influence the decision-making of channel members. Therefore, this study integrates green technology, remanufacturing, retailer’s fairness concerns, low-carbon preference, and hybrid carbon policies into a manufacturer-led supply chain through differential game theory. Then, the equilibrium solutions for each member are analyzed under the centralized case and decentralized case involving a cost-sharing contract for low-carbon promotion. Our results show that centralized decision-making can optimize both the economic and environmental performances of channel members; retailer’s fairness concerns can enhance low-carbon promotional efforts and the cost-sharing ratio for such initiatives, but do not impact low-carbon production efforts. Additionally, a threshold exists on the relationship between retailer’s fairness concerns and the cost-sharing ratio; increased low-carbon preference motivates more efforts in low-carbon production and promotion. Moreover, stricter carbon policies motivate the manufacturer to increase low-carbon efforts, but the retailer tailors its low-carbon promotional strategy according to the unit carbon emissions of products to maintain an adequate level of low-carbon goodwill. Full article

Green and low-carbon development of supply chains represents a practical approach to addressing climate change and enhancing corporate competitiveness. From the perspective of the relationship between policy subsidies and channel power structures, this paper constructs Stackelberg game models under four different scenarios to conduct theoretical analyses of the optimal strategies, supported by numerical simulations. The research findings reveal the following. (1) Under the product subsidy policy, the enhancement of consumers’ green preference will lead to a green premium, and in the case of the technology subsidy policy, consumers’ green preference will inhibit wholesale prices and retail prices. However, there is a threshold in the manufacturer-led case, and a “green premium” is also claimed when this threshold is exceeded. (2) The effects of the product subsidy policy and the green technology level subsidy policy on prices are opposite, where an increase in the product subsidy will increase the wholesale price and retail price, while an increase in the green technology level subsidy will reduce the wholesale price. The technology subsidy policy has a more significant effect on the promotion of green technology. (3) The power of supply chain channels will directly affect corporate profits, and the leader of the supply chain often has higher profits. Compared with product subsidies, technology subsidies can inhibit the channel power of retailers. Full article

The rapid development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry has led to concerns about battery quality and the transparency of green recycling, causing uncertainty among consumers. Many firms adopt blockchain technology to solve this problem, but blockchain adoption will bring privacy leakage risk to consumers. A Stackelberg game model of a three stage NEV supply chain is constructed to examine the impact of adapting blockchain on strategic decisions of supply chain participants. We consider a setting in which a battery supplier provides batteries to a NEV manufacturer, and a third-party recycler recovers retired batteries for a NEV manufacturer. We explore the influence of consumers’ green recycling preferences on the decisions of NEV supply chain members in three scenarios: not adopting blockchain traceability (NB), adopting blockchain with forward traceability (FB), and adopting blockchain with forward–reverse traceability (DB). We find that NEV supply chain members are more likely to adopt forward–reverse traceability under certain conditions. Moreover, the adoption of blockchain drives the battery supplier and NEV manufacture to increase wholesale price and retail price, especially under forward–reverse traceability. In addition, when consumers exhibit strong preferences for green recycling, third-party recyclers are more willing to invest in blockchain-based recycling due to its ability to enhance the accuracy and credibility of recycling data. Full article

Micro-LED display technology has emerged as a significant area of interest, with numerous research teams globally approaching it from various disciplines. Concurrently, several enterprises have initiated production or plan to invest in equipment manufacturing. However, the industry currently lacks standardized production processes for Micro-LED displays. This is largely due to major manufacturers adapting their equipment and material choices to suit their specific product applications. Nevertheless, advancements in recent years and developments within the supply chain reveal a gradual convergence of technology across the sector. This review paper aims to provide an investment and cost analysis perspective of the current industrial landscape of Micro-LED technology. It examines key aspects such as the selection of bonding materials, differences in driving modes, considerations for native RGB versus color conversion, strategies for cost optimization, market information and unique differentiation features of Micro-LED displays. To make this paper accessible to a broader audience, including those outside the electronics industry, key technical processes are described with clear explanations and the relevant context. Full article

Background: Nowadays, traditional supply chain management (SCM) processes are undergoing a profound transformation enabled by advanced technologies derived from Industry 4.0. The rapid adoption of these technologies has led to the emergence of smart SCM, which integrates modern technologies in sourcing, production, distribution, and sales. Supplier evaluation and selection (SES) in smart SCM is a strategic decision impacting the entire supply chain. Organizations must also incorporate sustainability principles into their strategic decisions alongside smart production and efficiency. Methods: The main objective of this study is to develop a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach under uncertainty to address sustainable–smart supplier evaluation and selection problems. The approach integrates polygonal fuzzy numbers (POFNs), Z-numbers, expected interval (EI), and expected value (EV) to develop methods such as the logarithmic methodology of additive weights (LMAW) and the weighted aggregated sum product assessment (WASPAS), which are used to prioritize criteria and rank suppliers. Furthermore, novel approaches are introduced for calculating membership functions, $\mathcal{a}$-cut formulations, and the crispification process in POFNs. Results: A real case study in the home appliance industry revealed that cost reduction through smart technologies, green and smart logistics and manufacturing, and smart working environments are the most critical evaluation criteria. Suppliers three and four, excelling in these areas, were identified as top suppliers. Conclusions: The proposed approaches effectively addressed hybrid uncertainty in SES problems within smart SCM. Finally, sensitivity and comparative analysis confirmed their robustness and reliability. Full article

Houston, Texas, with its large-scale industrial activities, serves as a national hub for petrochemical processing and chemical feedstock production, making it a unique emission region for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and production-related emissions. These emissions can be associated with industrial activities, including solvent usage and production to manufacture consumer products such as volatile chemical products. To support the Houston-based Dept. of Energy’s Atmospheric Measurement Radiation program-led Tracking Aerosol Convection ExpeRiment (TRACER) projects, VOCs were measured at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site during September 2021 and 2022. The observed VOC mixing ratios reveal unique emission signatures for select VOCs, including benzene, toluene, acetone, and isoprene. Routine nighttime enhancements of these compounds exceeded the urban background, with mixing ratios increasing by up to 20 ppbv per hour and persisting for up to 6 h, suggesting that emissions from local industrial activities near the Houston Ship Channel (HSC) are impacting the site. For example, mixing ratios exceeding 15 ppbv for at least one VOC were observed on 58% of nights (n = 32 nights), with 19 nights (~35%) having two or more VOCs with mixing ratios above 15 ppbv. For select peak emission events, the NOAA dispersion model estimated plume transport across parts of the urban system, suggesting that VOCs from the HSC may impact local air quality. This study highlights the importance of VOC-related emissions from industrial production and supply chains in contributing to total VOC emissions in urban areas like Houston, Texas. Full article

Cap-and-trade is widely recognized as an effective mechanism for curbing carbon emissions, and it significantly influences the operational decisions within supply chains. This study investigates a three-echelon closed-loop supply chain (CLSC) consisting of one original equipment manufacturer, one traditional retailer, and one independent third-party collector. The manufacturer invests in cleaner technologies to produce green products and remanufactures new products from used items recycled by the third-party collector. Considering different channel power structures, three Stackelberg game models are developed, and their optimal solutions are derived using the backward induction. Additionally, the combined effects of remanufacturing-related and carbon-related parameters on economic and environmental benefits as well as social welfare are investigated under different settings. Moreover, the derived results are validated via numerical simulation. The findings indicate that: (1) Each channel member is incentivized to act as the leader role within the CLSC to maximize profits. (2) A loose cap-and-trade regulation is conducive to enhancing the emission abatement rate, collection rate, and overall performance for the CLSC. (3) The retailer-led model is the best option for capturing more economic benefits and social welfare, while the third party-led model can always achieve the best environmental performance regardless of carbon trading price. These research findings can provide valuable insights for policymakers and decision makers engaged in CLSC. Full article

This paper utilizes the digital integrated circuit testing model to compute the test yield curve of future wafers and explore the influence of test guardband (TGB) on quality and yield. With the passage of three years since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted semiconductor production lines, the semiconductor manufacturing industry still faces chip shortages. Although initiatives such as the CHIPS and Science Act in the United States have helped stabilize chip supply chains, manufacturers still face inventory shortages and delayed deliveries. Moreover, the backwardness and inaccuracy of semiconductor test equipment have led to a decline in both test yield and wafer quality, resulting in reduced shipments. Therefore, to mitigate yield losses and enhance the test yield and shipment volume of semiconductor products, this paper proposes a diverse test method (DTM) to improve test outcomes through the alteration of the testing strategy and TGB adjustment. Furthermore, according to the wafer estimation table published in the IEEE International Roadmap for Devices and Systems (2023), the proposed DTM can effectively enhance the test yield of wafers and improve the testing capabilities of ATE testers (automatic test equipment). Consequently, suppliers can stabilize the chip supply chain and enhance their companies’ profits and reputation by improving chip test yield. Full article

The occurrence of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) has led many industries to the path of adopting new technologies. Such technologies include blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). Blockchain creates the opportunity to access data and information in a decentralized manner, resulting in increased customer satisfaction. This study develops a smart newsvendor model of the food industry with consignment contracts and blockchain technology. Under a consignment policy, the central division (manufacturer) can utilize the retailer’s warehouse for storage. The producer may also have the opportunity to share the holding cost with retailers without losing the ownership of products. The main contribution of this study is to analyze the profitability of the retailing and supply chain when the blockchain technology is implemented by the food industry. Moreover, a thorough investigation of profit and loss is conducted under a consignment contract when uncertain demand is encountered. This study mainly concerns perishable food items, and increasing volatility in market demand. Two cases of probabilistic uncertainty are considered, including uniform and normal distribution. The key investigations of this study are presented in terms of (a) the effect of adopting blockchain on market demand for the food industry, (b) analysis of company profitability for perishable food items and demand uncertainty, and (c) the effect of the consignment contract under blockchain technology in the food industry. Finally, this research develops an optimization tool to numerically analyze the effect of several factors of the blockchain technology on demand. Moreover, the optimal values of the design variables and the resulting maximum profitability provide valuable insights that support industry in formulating effective policies and making informed strategic decisions. Full article

Consumers’ low-carbon preferences will affect the decision-making behavior of supply chain members; an understanding of the influence mechanism of reciprocal altruistic preferences and reference low-carbon-level effect on carbon emission transfers in a supply chain is of great significance for optimizing transfer and reducing emissions and enhancing the overall emission reduction effect of the supply chain. By constructing a manufacturer-led differential game model, we analyzed the carbon emission transfer strategy of a supply chain under the influence of the reference low-carbon level effect and reciprocal altruistic preferences in scenarios with and without such preferences. The results showed that the reference low-carbon-level effect had a positive influence on the manufacturer’s transfers but not on the supplier’s acceptance of them. Moreover, reciprocal altruistic preferences increased both the transfer and acceptance of emissions while improving the low-carbon level of products. Under the influence of reciprocal preferences, the difference in the degree of altruism will also affect the carbon emission transfer and acceptance behavior of the manufacturer and supplier. When the supplier’s reciprocal altruism coefficient and the consumer’s memory parameter remain within a certain range, the transfers positively affect cooperation in the supply chain. Full article

This paper takes corporate social responsibility goodwill and consumers’ reference low-carbon level as endogenous variables of joint carbon emission reduction in the “supplier–manufacturer–retailer–consumer” supply chain system. The joint carbon emission reduction strategies of this four-tier system are analyzed from a dynamic perspective by considering random factors that affect the endogenous variables. Three stochastic differential games are proposed to examine the mechanism between each player, namely the cooperative model, Nash non-cooperative model, and Stackelberg master–slave model. Compared to the Nash non-cooperative game, the manufacturer/supplier-led Stackelberg master–slave game leads to Pareto improvement in the profits of the entire supply chain system and each player. The cooperative game demonstrates the highest expected emission reduction and corporate social responsibility goodwill, but also the highest variance. More importantly, the reference low-carbon level embraces consumers’ subjective initiative in the dynamic of carbon emission reduction. This level is an internal benchmark used to compare against the observed low-carbon level. This paper provides a theoretical foundation for strategic decision-making in emission reduction, contributing to sustainable development. By addressing environmental, economic, and social sustainability, it promotes climate action through carbon reduction strategies and offers policy recommendations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article

In the trade environment of a globalized economy, tariffs play a crucial role in transnational supply chains. At the same time, the power structure of the supply chain also plays an important role in the decision making and income distribution of a transnational supply chain. Therefore, we construct game-theoretic models to analyze the impacts of tariffs and power structures on the decision making and revenue distribution of transnational supply chains. First, we consider a bilateral monopoly model consisting of a Chinese manufacturer and a U.S. retailer and analyze the effects of tariffs and power structures on decision making and revenue distributions in this supply chain. Then, we extend the model to a duopoly competition model consisting of two Chinese manufacturers and one American retailer, further analyzing the roles of tariffs and power structures. The results indicate that in the bilateral monopoly model, the impact of tariffs on the manufacturer’s profits is always greater than on the retailer’s profits under a manufacturer-led circumstance. However, in a competitive model, when the market size is large, the impact of tariffs on the manufacturer’s profits exceeds that of the retailer’s profits; conversely, when the market size is smaller, the impact of tariffs on the retailer’s profits is greater than on the manufacturer’s profits. Furthermore, we find that in the duopoly competition model, under the manufacturer-led circumstance, both the manufacturer and the retailer earn the highest profits. Full article

Global climate change has prompted all sectors of society to take urgent action to reduce carbon emissions. Electric vehicles are the key to low-carbon transportation transformation, but their popularity has led to difficulties in disposing of used batteries. Improper handling will pollute the environment and violate the original goal of promoting low-carbon practices. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a sustainable battery-recycling and disposal system. This study uniquely incorporates the concept of battery echelon utilization into its analytical framework using a Stackelberg game model, exploring the equilibrium strategies for stakeholders in a closed-loop supply chain under carbon emission constraints. We analyzed the impact of multiple factors in the recycling process, as well as the influence of digital technology, on enterprise pricing, recycling efficiency, and the choice of recycling channels. The study found that the market pricing of batteries and electric vehicles is not influenced by recycling participants, but is instead related to the application of digital technology. Numerical simulations further reveal that the battery’s echelon utilization rate and carbon emission limit policies jointly motivate enterprises to be more proactive in recycling. In the joint recycling model, battery suppliers can achieve more substantial profit growth compared to electric vehicle manufacturers, providing new insights and directions for innovation and the development of collaborative models within the supply chain. Full article

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) frequently face challenges in obtaining financial assistance from traditional banks. Platform Supply Chain Finance (PSCF) has emerged as a promising solution for financing issues among SMEs, with an added focus on integrating sustainability aspects. This study focused on a two-tier supply chain as its primary research topic to find strategies to enhance supplier financial viability and improve the efficiency and profitability of the main manufacturing enterprise. In this study, we establish three distinct hypotheses corresponding to the three models involving supplier and manufacturer participation, encompassing parameters such as production batch size, pricing, and supply chain profit. First, it examined financing decisions through the lens of core enterprise-led platform finance. Second, it applied the Stackelberg game theory to investigate financing decisions in three distinct modes: traditional finance, platform internal finance, and external platform finance. Suppliers, manufacturers, and banks can be seen as participants in a Stackelberg game. In this game, suppliers act as leaders, making production and procurement decisions first, while manufacturers and banks act as followers, adjusting their behavior based on the suppliers’ decisions. Finally, it performed a comparative analysis of decisions and supply chain efficiency across these modes. When the risk regulation cost coefficient falls below a certain threshold, suppliers are willing to set up their own PSCF and there is an optimal level of risk regulation effort within the interval (0, 1). We compare platform finance with traditional finance and find that the traditional finance model maximizes profits for suppliers, while the external financing model maximizes profits for manufacturers and the overall supply chain profit. Findings provide insights for platforms, suppliers, manufacturers, and banks to implement optimal financing and channel structures to increase their profits and promote the sustainable development of the financial supply chain. In addition, future research on blockchain platform models would be highly meaningful. Full article

This paper investigates the optimal financing decisions of capital-constrained manufacturers under different power structures. Using a Stackelberg game model, it analyzes the optimal equilibrium operational decisions of capital-constrained manufacturers at varying levels of internal capital. The study finds that, compared to a power structure dominated by eco-innovative enterprises, a power structure led by ordinary enterprises enhances the level of eco-innovation of innovative products and the overall profitability of the supply chain. When eco-innovative enterprises are well-capitalized, internal financing has lower costs but may lead to idle funds, while bank financing and mixed financing have higher costs but make full use of available capital. When eco-innovative enterprises are undercapitalized, mixed financing is the optimal choice. The research employs numerical simulations to analyze the impacts of consumer environmental awareness, innovation investment costs, and production costs on the level of eco-innovation in products, manufacturers’ profits, and the overall profitability of the supply chain, providing decision-making references for governments and enterprises. Full article