Search Results (108)

In recent decades, European countries have seen a substantial increase in home cultivation of cannabis. In France, the prevalence of cannabis use continues to increase despite its possession, sale, and cultivation being strictly illegal. The present study aimed to describe the profile and motivations of people in France who cultivate cannabis at home. We separately analyzed data from two convenience samples of people who use cannabis daily in France, based on two online cross-sectional surveys. In the first analysis (N = 3840), we used a multivariable logistic regression model to assess factors associated with home cultivation as the main source of cannabis supply. In the second analysis (N = 574), we described participants’ motivations for home cultivation and their cultivation patterns. In the two samples, 11% and 16% reported home cultivation as their main source of supply, respectively. Age, male gender, stable housing, living with a partner, consuming cannabis in herbal form, smoking joints with little or no tobacco, smoking cannabis from a bong or pipe, non-smoking modes of cannabis administration, and using cannabis exclusively for therapeutic reasons were all positively associated with home cultivation, while urban area of residence and at-risk alcohol use were negatively associated. The main reason reported for home cultivation was to manage quality. Few reported selling some of their crop, and most were self-sufficient. Finally, we interpret this practice as a personal response to cannabis prohibition and the unregulated market. Accordingly, possible harm reduction strategies are discussed. Full article

As environmental issues become increasingly prominent, the sustainable practices of enterprises, especially measures at the product level, have garnered widespread attention from scholars. Although numerous studies have explored suppliers’ sales strategies for green products, they often overlook the scenario where suppliers simultaneously sell both green and non-green products.This study focuses on the sales mode selection strategies of suppliers when providing green and non-green products through e-commerce platforms. Utilizing a game model, we analyze the equilibrium strategies between suppliers and e-commerce platforms, and conduct sensitivity analyses to evaluate the impact of key parameters on decision-making. The results reveal that there are significant differences in the strategic preferences of suppliers and e-commerce platforms. However, when commission rates are moderate and green products incur high production costs, these preferences tend to align, leading to Pareto optimal outcomes. Additionally, our findings demonstrate that adopting differentiated sales modes for the two product types can effectively mitigate the problem of double marginalization, thereby enhancing the efficiencyof supply chains. These insights provide valuable guidance for e-commerce platform managers and suppliers in making decisions on sales models for managing multiple types of products. Full article

In the context of global e-commerce platform supply chains dominated by Alibaba and Amazon, power reconfiguration among tripartite stakeholders (platforms, manufacturers, and retailers) remains a critical yet underexplored issue in supply chain contract design. To analyze the strategic interactions between platforms, manufacturers, and retailers, as well as how platforms select the contract format within a tripartite supply chain, this study proposes a Stackelberg game-theoretic framework incorporating participation constraints to compare fixed-fee and revenue-sharing contracts. The results demonstrate that revenue-sharing contracts significantly enhance supply chain efficiency by aligning incentives across members, leading to improved pricing and sales outcomes. However, this coordination benefit comes with reduced platform dominance, as revenue-sharing inherently redistributes power toward upstream and downstream partners. The analysis reveals a nuanced contract selection framework: given the revenue sharing rate, as the additional value increases, the optimal contract shifts from the mode RR to the mode RF, and ultimately to the mode FF. Notably, manufacturers and retailers exhibit a consistent preference for revenue-sharing contracts due to their favorable profit alignment properties, regardless of the platform’s value proposition. These findings may contribute to platform operations theory by (1) proposing a dynamic participation framework for contract analysis, (2) exploring value-based thresholds for contract transitions, and (3) examining the power-balancing effects of alternative contract formats. This study offers actionable insights for platform operators seeking to balance control and cooperation in their supply chain relationships, while providing manufacturers and retailers with strategic guidance for contract negotiations in platform-mediated markets. These findings are especially relevant for large e-commerce platforms and their partners managing the complexities of contemporary digital supply chains. Full article

This paper investigates sustainable decision systems within green E-business models by analyzing how different O2O (online-to-offline) fulfillment structures affect emission-reduction efforts and pricing strategies in a two-tier supply chain consisting of a manufacturer and a new retailer. Three practical sales formats—package self-pickup, nearby delivery, and hybrid—are modeled using Stackelberg game frameworks that incorporate key factors such as inconvenience cost, logistics cost, processing fees, and emission-reduction coefficients. Results show that the manufacturer’s emission-reduction decisions and both parties’ pricing strategies are highly sensitive to cost conditions and consumer preferences. Specifically, higher inconvenience and abatement costs consistently reduce profitability and emission efforts; the hybrid model exhibits threshold-dependent advantages over single-mode strategies in terms of carbon efficiency and economic returns; and consumer green preference and distance sensitivity jointly shape optimal channel configurations. Robustness analysis confirms the model’s stability under varying parameter conditions. These insights provide theoretical and practical guidance for firms seeking to develop adaptive, low-carbon fulfillment strategies that align with sustainability goals and market demands. Full article

Uncertainty in consumer purchasing behavior within online markets propels manufacturers to adopt blockchain for risk mitigation, reshaping supply chain operational dynamics. This study investigates the sales mode selection and blockchain adoption strategies of a risk-averse manufacturer in platform supply chain under uncertain market demand. By integrating Stackelberg game theory with mean-variance analysis, we analyze supply chain equilibrium across four scenarios: RN, RB, AN, and AB. Our findings highlight the significance of a critical commission rate threshold in the manufacturer’s sales mode choice, emphasizing that blockchain adoption enhances the preference for the agency mode. Importantly, highly risk-averse manufacturers are inclined to absorb higher costs associated with blockchain adoption, while those with lower risk aversion only consider it when costs are minimal. Notably, the “agency mode with blockchain adoption” (AB) creates mutual benefits under low adoption costs and risk aversion. When both parties exhibit risk aversion, the platform’s risk aversion significantly influences resale-mode decisions, leading to a transition from the scenario AN to the RB, thereby optimizing synchronized profits. Full article

This study examines how a low-carbon manufacturer strategically adopts blockchain technology and selects sales modes with a dual-purpose e-commerce platform that focuses on both profit and consumer surplus. We develop six game-theoretic models by combining three sales modes (agency, reselling, and dual modes) with two blockchain scenarios (adoption vs. non-adoption). Using backward induction, we derive equilibrium strategies for supply chain members and analyze the impacts of key parameters. Building on these analyses, we further investigate the joint decision-making of blockchain adoption and sales mode selection, exploring how the platform’s consumer surplus concern influences manufacturer decisions, and evaluating the economic value created by blockchain under alternative sales modes, ultimately leading to three key findings: (1) The agency mode is generally preferred in most cases, especially when the platform has a moderate level of concern for consumer surplus. Blockchain adoption is only recommended when its unit operational cost is below certain thresholds, and it can significantly impact the choice between agency and dual modes based on the platform’s consumer surplus concern. (2) Platform’s degree of consumer surplus concern exerts a negligible effect on manufacturer’s sales mode selection without blockchain, but it becomes crucial and can trigger a shift to the dual mode when blockchain is adopted. (3) Blockchain generates the greatest economic value for the manufacturer under the dual mode, regardless of cost thresholds. For platforms, the optimal strategy depends on blockchain’s unit operational cost, with the reselling mode being optimal for low cost and the agency mode preferred for higher cost. Full article

With the rapid development of the digital economy and the evolving shopping preferences of consumers, e-commerce platforms have been enhancing their competitiveness by launching private label brands and optimizing their sales channel strategies. This study focuses on an online sales system comprising a strong brand and an e-commerce platform. Four game modes were constructed: agency selling only (NN), agency selling combined with reselling (NS), agency selling combined with private labels (IN), and reselling combined with agency selling under the introduction of private labels (IS). Under the coupon promotion strategy, this study focused on the introduction strategy for private labels (PLs) and the selection strategy for platform sales modes. Our research produced the following findings: (1) Regardless of whether the platform introduces its own brand, adopting a reselling mode can significantly enhance the profits of both the brand owner and platform. (2) Irrespective of whether the reselling mode is implemented, the platform’s profits are always increased when introducing its own brand. (3) When the coupon redemption rate is higher, the brand owner achieves greater profitability in the absence of PL introduction. Conversely, when the coupon redemption rate is low, an increase in the commission rate leads to reduced profit margins for the brand owner due to competition from a private label. (4) When the coupon redemption and commission rate are both high, the coupon face value without a PL is larger. Otherwise, when these rates are both low, the coupon face value is higher under the introduction of a PL. This study offers a theoretical foundation and decision-making support for e-commerce platforms to optimize sales mode selection, introduce private-label brands, and develop coupon strategies. Full article

The total cost of ownership (TCO) of electric vehicles (EVs) is significantly influenced by several economic factors which play a critical role in shaping their cost competitiveness, including tax policies. The primary objective of this analysis is to evaluate whether (EVs) can be competitive with internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) for everyday use over a multi-year period. Therefore, the TCO of passenger EVs was compared with that of ICEVs across three categories: affordable, mid-range, and luxury. This allowed us to show how tax laws affect EVs’ TCO and adoption rates. The analysis of the Jordanian regulatory structure showed that specific incentives, like lower sale taxes and customs duty applicable to EVs, successfully offset the higher initial costs of EVs, making them cost-competitive, especially in the affordable and mid-range categories. These results not only demonstrate the effectiveness of such policies in Jordan but also support national sustainability objectives by encouraging eco-friendly modes of transportation. The results provide a valuable framework for other developing countries, particularly in the Middle East, to accelerate EV adoption and transition toward cleaner mobility solutions. Full article

As digital platforms reshape the commercial landscape, brands increasingly collaborate with these platforms to enhance product sales. Many adopt livestream as a strategic tool to attract more traffic, typically choosing between Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Key Opinion Leader (KOL) approaches. Meanwhile, platforms operate under either an agency or a resale mode. However, the relative effectiveness of these strategies remains unclear. This study investigates an e-commerce supply chain comprising a single brand and platform, examining how AI and KOL livestream influence supply chain decisions across different sales modes and identifying optimal strategies for the brand and platform. Results show that when the platform’s revenue sharing rate is low, the agency mode consistently yields a Pareto improvement over resale, regardless of the livestream scheme. Moreover, when the KOL promotion fee rate is low, KOL livestream outperforms AI livestream under both sales modes. When the revenue sharing rate is high, the brand’s optimal strategy is “resale mode and KOL livestream”, while the platform prefers “agency mode and KOL livestream”. Conversely, when the revenue sharing rate is low, the platform’s best strategy is “resale mode and KOL livestream”, while the brand favors the agency mode, with livestream preferences shaped by KOL promotion fee rate. Full article

The different combinations of streaming media modes and product types influence the sales performance of streaming e-commerce. However, which combination is more effective in boosting product sales is unclear. Drawing on the cognitive fit theory, we collected sales data from 564 short videos and live streams on TikTok to investigate how the interaction of streaming media mode and product type impacts streaming e-commerce sales quantity. This study reveals that short video e-commerce works better at selling search products. In contrast, live-streaming e-commerce excels at boosting experience products, particularly expensive ones. Furthermore, the interaction effect between streaming e-commerce mode and product type is more significantly affected by low-priced products. This research contributes to understanding streaming e-commerce and offers valuable insights for e-commerce stakeholders. Full article

Retail platforms have widely implemented recommender systems to provide personalized recommendations to consumers, influencing sales significantly. However, under the hybrid selling mode where platforms offer both their products and third-party sellers’ products, the profitability of a recommender system and the optimal allocation of recommendations become critical considerations. This paper introduces a game-theoretic model to investigate these issues and unveil how a recommender system and its characteristics influence prices and profits. A key finding is that the recommender system increases prices and profits only if the commission rate is high and the system is profit-oriented or inaccurate. Surprisingly, higher recommendation accuracy does not always translate into higher profits; it is advantageous only in a consumer-oriented system. Moreover, the retail platform tends to allocate more recommendations to its own product than to the third-party seller’s product, a strategy known as self-preferencing. This strategy gives the platform a competitive edge and boosts its profit compared to the third-party seller. Furthermore, the degree of self-preferencing varies with the accuracy and orientation of the recommendation system. Specifically, in a consumer-oriented system, self-preferencing increases with accuracy, while in a profit-oriented system, it decreases with accuracy. Full article

This paper uses symmetry to develop a dual-channel supply chain network model, both with and without blockchain technology, ensuring that the solutions for pricing and channel selection are symmetric in both modes. And, in the model that does not employ blockchain technology, mechanisms are used to make the benefits of centralized and decentralized decision-making symmetrical. Consumers often have varied psychological expectations when choosing products. This paper considers the reference quality effect, where consumers establish a reference quality before making a purchase decision. However, the lack of transparency in product sales across supply chain channels can lead to a disparity between actual and expected product quality, impacting market demand and brand reputation. Therefore, manufacturers must balance increasing profits with meeting consumer demand for product traceability. This paper focuses on a dual-channel supply chain model involving manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Firstly, the pricing issues and channel selections under centralized decision-making and a Stackelberg game with decentralized decision-making are comparatively analyzed in the mode of without adopting blockchain technology and adopt two-part pricing contract to coordinate. Secondly, the impact of blockchain technology on pricing is examined when it is adopted. Thirdly, pricing issues and channel selection strategies based on actual product quality in the dual-channel supply chain are compared under both models. Finally, numerical simulations validate the findings. The study found that: (1) the reference quality effect has a cross-positive influence on the equilibrium price and profit of a dual-channel supply chain; (2) the two-part pricing contract can mitigate the double-marginal effect and enhance profits; and (3) the adoption of the blockchain technology leads to increased equilibrium prices and total profits in the dual-channel supply chain compared to not using it. This paper offers a theoretical foundation for manufacturers and retailers to develop effective pricing and channel selection strategies in dual-channel operations to achieve higher returns. Full article

There are three operational modes for restaurant takeaway services: a takeaway platform combined with restaurant delivery (mode A), a takeaway platform paired with platform delivery (mode B), and a self-established platform with delivery (mode C). In the face of intense market competition, determining how restaurants can select appropriate operational delivery modes to maintain competitiveness and profitability has emerged as a pressing issue. In this paper, we develop game models that encompass a restaurant and food delivery platform to investigate the optimal operational mode for restaurants. Our analysis indicates that when the market size is small, mode B results in the lowest ordering costs, the highest sales volume, and the maximum profit. Conversely, in the context of a large market size, if the commission rate is low, mode A minimizes the ordering costs and maximizes sales volume; if the commission rate is high, mode C minimizes the ordering costs while also achieving the highest sales volume. Notably, we find that as long as the market size is sufficiently large, mode C consistently yields the highest restaurant profits. The outcomes of this study contribute to the theoretical framework surrounding the operation and management of food delivery platforms and offer theoretical guidance and decision-making support for selecting restaurant food delivery operational modes. Full article

In order to reduce CO₂ emissions from industrial processes, countries have commenced the vigorous development of CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage) technology. The high geographical overlap between China’s extensive coal mining regions and CO₂-emitting industrial parks provides an opportunity for the more efficient reduction in CO₂ emissions through the development of Enhanced Coal Bed Methane (ECBM) Recovery for use with CCUS technology. Furthermore, the high geographical overlap and proximity of these regions allows for a shift in the transportation mode from pipelines to tanker trucks, which are more cost-effective and logistically advantageous. The issue of transportation must also be considered in order to more accurately assess the constructed cost function and CCUS source–sink matching model for the implementation of ECBM. The constructed model, when considered in conjunction with the actual situation in Shanxi Province, enables the matching of emission sources and sequestration sinks in the province to be realized through the use of ArcGIS 10.8 software, and the actual transport routes are derived as a result. After analyzing the matching results, it is found that the transportation cost accounts for a relatively small proportion of the total cost. In fact, the CH₄ price has a larger impact on the total cost, and a high replacement ratio is not conducive to profitability. When the proportion of CO₂ replacing CH₄ increases from 1 to 3, the price of CH₄ needs to increase from $214.41/t to $643.23/t for sales to be profitable. In addition, electric vehicle transportation costs are lower compared to those of fuel and LNG vehicles, especially for high-mileage and frequent-use scenarios. In order to reduce the total cost, it is recommended to set aside the limitation of transportation distance when matching sources and sinks. Full article

The sale of second-hand goods has formed a complete industrial chain, and second-hand product testing is a crucial part of it. Second-hand inspection platforms (SIPs) have achieved remarkable commercial success by providing inspection services that alleviate consumers’ quality concerns. Different SIPs typically adopt various operation modes, such as consignment, resale, or hybrid modes. Appropriate operation modes not only benefit SIPs in maintaining profitability but also contribute to the sustainable development of the sharing economy. In order to realize the sustainable operation of second-hand inspection platforms, we construct a platform-dominated Stackelberg model to explore the motivations behind SIPs’ choices of different operation modes and investigate the impacts of changes in the inspection service level on the platform’s optimal decisions and market performance. System data analysis results show that the cost of guarantee significantly influences SIPs’ choices of operation modes, specifically; SIPs are inclined to adopt consignment mode or resale mode when the cost of guarantee is relatively high or low, respectively, and choose hybrid mode when the cost of guarantee is moderate. Furthermore, in the presence of inter-channel competition, if the inspection failure loss is relatively high, SIPs may lower the prices of used products as the inspection service level increases. Additionally, although inspection service can disclose the true quality of used products, a higher inspection service level may attract more low-quality sellers into the market when the inspection failure loss is substantial. Finally, under the resale mode, consumer surplus and social welfare will decrease with the inspection service level. Conversely, under the consignment or hybrid mode, both consumer surplus and social welfare will increase with the inspection service level when the inspection failure loss is relatively low. Full article