Search Results (189)

In today’s volatile supply chain environment, organizations require flexible and collaborative procurement strategies. Swap contracts, originally developed as financial instruments, have recently been adopted to address inventory imbalances—such as the 2021 COVID-19 vaccine swap between South Korea and Israel. Despite its increasing adoption in the real world, theoretical studies on swap-based procurement remain limited. This study proposes an integrated model that combines buyer-to-buyer swap agreements with long-term wholesale contracts under demand uncertainty. The model quantifies the expected swap quantity between parties and embeds it into the profit function to derive optimal order quantities. Numerical experiments are conducted to compare the performance of the proposed strategy with that of a baseline wholesale contract. Sensitivity analyses are performed on key parameters, including demand asymmetry and swap prices. The numerical analysis indicates that the swap-integrated procurement strategy consistently outperforms procurement based on long-term wholesale contracts. Moreover, the results reveal that under the swap-integrated strategy, the optimal order quantity must be adjusted—either increased or decreased—depending on the demand scale of the counterpart and the specified swap price, deviating from the optimal quantity under traditional long-term contracts. These findings highlight the potential of swap-integrated procurement strategies as practical coordination mechanisms across both private and public sectors, offering strategic value in contexts such as vaccine distribution, fresh produce, and other critical products. Full article

As electric multiple unit (EMU) operations and maintenance demands have expanded, spare parts supply chain management has become increasingly crucial. This study emphasizes the supply challenges of EMU spare parts, including inadequate minimum inventory levels and prolonged response times. Redesigning the OEM–railway bureau vendor-managed inventory (VMI) model contract incentive and penalty system is the key goal. Connecting the spare parts supply system with its characteristics yields a game theory model. This study analyzes and compares the equilibrium strategies and profits of supply chain members under different mechanisms for managing critical spare parts. The findings demonstrate that mechanism contracts can enhance supply chain performance in a Pareto-improving manner. An in-depth analysis of downtime loss costs, procurement challenges, and order losses reveals their effects on supply chain coordination and profit allocation, providing railway bureaus and OEMs with a theoretical framework for supply chain decision-making. This study offers theoretical justification and a framework for decision-making on cooperation between OEMs and railroad bureaus in the management of spare parts supply chains, particularly for extensive EMU operations. Full article

In the face of economic, social, and environmental pressures, the issue of sustainable development has garnered widespread attention in the Logistics Service Supply Chain (LSSC) with risk attitudes under Technical Output Uncertainty. In this regard, this paper first constructs an optimal emission reduction investment game model for an LSSC composed of Logistics Service Integrators (LSIs) and Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) against the backdrop of Technical Output Uncertainty. To this end, it quantifies the participants’ risk attitudes using a mean-variance model to analyze optimal emission reduction investment decisions for centralized and decentralized LSSC under different levels of risk tolerance. Subsequently, it designs a joint contract with altruistic preferences for sharing emission reduction costs in the LSSC. This contract analyzes the parameter constraints for achieving Pareto optimization within the supply chain. Finally, the study employs a case simulation to analyze the changes in expected revenues for centralized LSSC and joint contracts under different risk tolerance levels. The study reveals that (1) in a centralized LSSC, under risk-neutral attitudes, there exists a unique optimal emission reduction investment, which yields the highest expected return from emission reduction. However, under risk-averse attitudes, the expected return is always lower than the optimal expected return under risk neutrality. (2) In a decentralized LSSC, the emission reduction investment decisions of the Logistics Service Providers are similar to those in a centralized LSSC. (3) Under risk-neutral attitudes, the cost-sharing and altruistic preference-based joint contract can also coordinate the risk-averse LSSC under certain constraints, and by adjusting the cost-sharing and altruistic preference parameters, the expected returns can be reasonably allocated. 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 study examines how contract structures influence coordination and innovation incentives in dual-channel telecommunications supply chains. We consider a setting where a mobile network operator (MNO) supplies services both directly to consumers and indirectly through a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), which competes in the retail market. Using a game-theoretic framework, we evaluate how different contracts—single wholesale pricing, revenue sharing, and quantity discounts—shape strategic decisions, particularly in the presence of investment spillovers between parties. A key coordination problem emerges from the externalized gains of innovation, where one party’s investment generates value for both participants. Our results show that single wholesale and revenue sharing contracts often lead to suboptimal investment and profit outcomes. In contrast, quantity discount contracts, especially when combined with appropriate transfer payments, improve coordination and enhance the total performance of the supply chain. We also find that innovation led by the MVNO, while generally less impactful, can still yield reciprocal benefits for the MNO, reinforcing the value of cooperative arrangements. These findings emphasize the importance of contract design in managing interdependence and improving efficiency in decentralized supply chains. This study offers theoretical and practical implications for telecommunications providers and policymakers aiming to promote innovation and mutually beneficial outcomes through well-aligned contractual mechanisms. Full article

With the increasing complexity of supply chain structures, effective coordination among stakeholders remains essential to maximize performance. This paper presents a systematic literature review of coordination contracts. Fourteen types were explored, ranging from traditional to smart contracts. This study includes a bibliometric analysis addressing technological, environmental, and risk management challenges. Despite significant progress in the field, most studies focus on dyadic supply chains, failing to cover the multi-echelon complexity. The study concludes by identifying research perspectives, particularly the combined adoption of artificial intelligence and game theory to enhance the analysis and execution of these contracts, thereby fostering resilient logistical systems. Full article

The convergence of blockchain and metaverse technologies is poised to redefine how Global Value Chains (GVCs) create, capture, and distribute value, yet scholarly insight into their joint impact remains scattered. Addressing this gap, the present study aims to clarify where, how, and under what conditions blockchain-enabled transparency and metaverse-enabled immersion enhance GVC performance. A systematic literature review (SLR), conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, screened 300 articles from ABI Global, Business Source Premier, and Web of Science records, yielding 65 peer-reviewed articles for in-depth analysis. The corpus was coded thematically and mapped against three theoretical lenses: transaction cost theory, resource-based view, and network/ecosystem perspectives. Key findings reveal the following: 1. digital twins anchored in immersive platforms reduce planning cycles by up to 30% and enable real-time, cross-border supply chain reconfiguration; 2. tokenized assets, micro-transactions, and decentralized finance (DeFi) are spawning new revenue models but simultaneously shift tax triggers and compliance burdens; 3. cross-chain protocols are critical for scalable trust, yet regulatory fragmentation—exemplified by divergent EU, U.S., and APAC rules—creates non-trivial coordination costs; and 4. traditional IB theories require extension to account for digital-capability orchestration, emerging cost centers (licensing, reserve backing, data audits), and metaverse-driven network effects. Based on these insights, this study recommends that managers adopt phased licensing and geo-aware tax engines, embed region-specific compliance flags in smart-contract metadata, and pilot digital-twin initiatives in sandbox-friendly jurisdictions. Policymakers are urged to accelerate work on interoperability and reporting standards to prevent systemic bottlenecks. Finally, researchers should pursue multi-case and longitudinal studies measuring the financial and ESG outcomes of integrated blockchain–metaverse deployments. By synthesizing disparate streams and articulating a forward agenda, this review provides a conceptual bridge for international business scholarship and a practical roadmap for firms navigating the next wave of digital GVC transformation. Full article

Construction machinery operations are intrinsically linked to critical societal challenges, including safety risks and carbon emissions. In response to the high incidence of fatal accidents during installation and dismantling phases, the Chinese government has officially promoted integrated installation–dismantling services to enhance construction safety since 2023. However, the economic viability of this policy for leasing companies remains largely underexplored. To address this gap, this paper develops a leasing-oriented closed-loop construction machinery supply chain model that incorporates integrated installation–dismantling services under an industrial internet platform. The study first compares and analyzes the product leasing demand, installation and dismantling demand, and supply chain profits under both centralized and decentralized decision-making scenarios. Based on these analyses, a profit–cost sharing joint contract is designed to coordinate the supply chain. Furthermore, the interrelationships among key parameters are examined through a sensitivity analysis and numerical simulation. The results reveal that enhancing leasing information services increases both the demand for construction machinery and the platform’s operating costs. These costs are positively correlated with the product’s selling price, leading to higher purchasing costs for lessees. Similarly, improving information services for installation and dismantling raises the platform’s operating costs and enhances service levels, which in turn increases installation and dismantling costs for lessees. The findings demonstrate that within a certain range of cost-sharing and leasing-sharing proportional coefficients, the joint contract enables the supply chain to achieve Pareto optimization. This approach simultaneously alleviates economic pressure on lessees, improves construction safety, and promotes the integration of installation and dismantling services. Full article

In the current context of severe environmental challenges and climate change, the low-carbon green development model has become an international consensus. This study establishes a green supply chain duopoly competition model, considering two types of government subsidies and data-driven marketing (DDM) to help achieve supply chain development. The aim of the research is to explore how to provide green subsidies, enhance green levels, maintain competitive advantage, and improve profits in supply chain enterprises with inconsistent green levels. The study discusses the impact of green consumer preferences, market competition, and DDM quality on the profits of supply chain enterprises. It also analyzes how to use supply chain contracts to achieve coordination and optimization within the supply chain. The findings are summarized as follows. (1) As consumer preferences for green products increase, the unit subsidy model continues to enhance performance and market share more effectively than the total subsidy model. (2) The unit subsidy model requires a more relaxed subsidy coefficient, making it easier for enterprises to develop without needing high subsidies. It consistently achieves better total performance, particularly with improved DDM quality. (3) Manufacturers and retailers can achieve a win–win situation through internal coordination of the supply chain via wholesale price contracts. (4) Under certain conditions, consumers more sensitive to green products will increase the product pricing of both M1 and M2. The level of greenness of M2 will also increase. But also, the wholesale and retail prices of M1 will decrease because of the effect of DDM. (5) The effect of the intensity of market competition on pricing decisions is more complex. Under certain conditions, the market competition coefficient has a positive impact on the pricing of M1 and a negative impact on the pricing and green level of M2. This can be changed due to an increase in the level of DDM quality, where an increase in the market competition coefficient results in lower pricing for M1 and higher pricing for M2. The green level for M2 is also improved. In addition, the improvement in DDM quality consistently has a positive impact on pricing decisions and green levels for M2. Pricing decisions for M1 are affected differently, depending on the customer’s sensitivity to DDM. Full article

In the era of the green digital economy, network platforms as a new form of economic format have gained significant attention from e-commerce companies. This paper intends to address the channel selection strategy for e-commerce enterprises and the coordination of the whole supply chain under the government’s green subsidy policy. Game theory is used to analyze the strategy of channel selection based on logistics distribution, e-commerce platform, consumer preference, and green governmental subsidy. The findings are as follows: (1) Self-established logistics cost and platform commission rates are important factors affecting channel selection. With the increase in consumers’ preference for a green economy, consumers are more inclined to choose platform channels. (2) Green governmental subsidies represent an advantageous strategy for the whole supply chain, and under its influence, the Pareto improvement of the supply chain can be realized. (3) Cooperation with other companies using the platform franchise system can maximize the benefits of the supply chain, which also can improve consumer satisfaction and increase the profits of e-commerce enterprises at the same time. In conclusion, a platform franchise contract is proposed to coordinate the supply chain and realize the rapid development of the green economy. Full article

In order to solve the problem of poor market circulation in the process of realizing the value of ecological products, this paper studies a supply chain system composed of a single ecological product supplier, an ecological product distributor, and a consumer. Since government subsidies will greatly affect the operation of the supply chain system, the supply chain decision-making model under three scenarios, of no government subsidies, development and operation subsidies, and consumer subsidies, is constructed with an ecological cost-sharing contract coefficient between suppliers and dealers. Then, the Stackelberg game is used to solve the optimal strategy and maximum profit of all parties in the supply chain under different financial subsidy scenarios in order to form eco-product development suggestions in line with market rules. Full article

With the global advancement of sustainable development concepts, the logistics industry is confronting significant environmental challenges, making green innovation a critical driver for industrial transformation and upgrading. However, during the green innovation process in logistics service supply chains, the differing roles of logistics service integrators and logistics service providers, combined with high costs and uncertain returns, hinder coordination efficiency. Therefore, it is imperative to enhance the coordination of supply chain contracts. Nevertheless, existing literature provides limited insights into the coordination capacities and impacts of different contracts on green innovation in logistics service supply chains. This study develops a Stackelberg game model where the logistics service integrator acts as the leader and logistics service providers serve as followers, examining the effects of cost-sharing contracts, revenue-sharing contracts, and hybrid cost-sharing and revenue-sharing contracts on supply chain coordination. Numerical simulations are employed to validate the findings. The results indicate that hybrid contracts provide the strongest incentives for green innovation among supply chain participants, whereas cost-sharing contracts offer relatively weaker incentives for integrators’ green design innovation. In addition, revenue-sharing contracts and hybrid contracts were effective in reducing the wholesale price of green logistics services, although all three contract types resulted in higher market prices. Finally, all three contract types achieve Pareto improvements in the supply chain, with hybrid contracts maximizing the total profit of the supply chain. This study not only elucidates the incentive mechanisms and relative advantages of different contracts in supply chain collaboration, but also offers critical theoretical and practical insights for designing contracts to foster green innovation in the logistics sector. Full article

The green supply chain is a crucial approach to addressing environmental issues and supporting sustainable development. This study examines the coordination challenges in green supply chains, accounting for risk aversion and manufacturer competition. It explores how risk-averse behavior influences operational decisions, offering strategies to enhance cooperation among supply chain members. This study develops three key models: a rational behavior model, a risk aversion model, and a cost-sharing contract model, deriving optimal equilibrium decisions for each. It analyses the impact of risk aversion on pricing, product greenness, and profitability in a competitive manufacturing environment and compares outcomes across the models. Numerical simulations validate the findings, revealing that higher levels of manufacturer risk aversion lead to reduced wholesale prices, retail prices, and product greenness, which hinder the achievement of sustainability goals. Profitability and product greenness are lower under the risk aversion model compared to the rational behavior model. Under conditions of weak market competition, cost-sharing contracts effectively enhance profitability for both manufacturers and retailers while fostering collaboration to improve sustainable green practices within the supply chain. These findings provide actionable insights for green supply chain enterprises and contribute to the theoretical foundation of green supply chain research, particularly in contexts involving manufacturer competition and risk aversion. 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

Within the logistics service supply chain, where logistics service integrators and providers collaborate, the role of integrators in orchestrating resources and enhancing supply chain efficiency is pivotal. To motivate logistics service providers to invest in logistics capacity, thereby maintaining supply chain resilience and achieving coordination, a joint contract incorporating cost and benefit sharing is proposed in a novel Stackelberg game model. By analyzing the behavior of various decision-making models—centralized, coordinated, and decentralized—in supply chains, we find that the proposed Stackelberg game model effectively correlates higher investment levels with increased supply chain resilience. The coordination mechanism significantly improves both the level of resilience and the investment amount, leading to enhanced overall profitability. Sensitivity analysis reveals the impact of market pricing, demand stockout penalty costs, and substitute demand prices on these outcomes. This research contributes a new theoretical framework and practical insights into supply chain coordination and investment strategies. Full article