Abstract
Considering consumers’ attitudes to risks for probabilistic products and probabilistic selling, this paper develops a dynamic Stackelberg game model of the supply chain considering the asymmetric dual-channel structure. Based on entropy theory and dynamic theory, we analyze and simulate the influences of decision variables and parameters on the stability and entropy of asymmetric dual-channel supply chain systems using bifurcation, entropy diagram, the parameter plot basin, attractor, etc. The results show that decision variables and parameters have great impacts on the stability of asymmetric dual-channel supply chains; the supply chain system will enter chaos through flip bifurcation or Neimark–Sacker bifurcation with the increase of the system entropy, and thus the system is more complex and falls into a chaotic state, with its entropy increased. The stability of the system can become robust with the increase of the probability that product becomes a probabilistic product, and it weakens with the increase of the risk preference of customers for probabilistic products and the relative bargaining power of the retailer. A manufacturer using the direct selling channel may obtain greater profit than one using traditional selling channels. Using the method of parameter adjustment and feedback control, the entropy of the supply chain system will decline, and the supply chain system will fall into a stable state. Therefore, in the actual market of probabilistic selling, the manufacturers and retailers should pay attention to the parameters and adjustment speed of prices and ensure the stability of the game process and the orderliness of the dual-channel supply chain.
Highlights
The rapid development of e-commerce has created a more convenient and efficient shopping environment, shortened the sales distance between manufacturers and consumers, and enriched the sales model
The two manufacturers providing two substitute products all agree to create a probabilistic product and sell this to customers through the retailer; one manufacturer sells his a probabilistic product and sell this to customers through the retailer; one manufacturer sells his traditional products to customers by the retailer, and another manufacturer builds a direct channel traditional products to customers by the retailer, and another manufacturer builds a direct channel to sell his traditional products
We analyze the effects of parameter changes on the entropy and to sell his traditional products
Summary
The rapid development of e-commerce has created a more convenient and efficient shopping environment, shortened the sales distance between manufacturers and consumers, and enriched the sales model. In this paper, considering that consumers have heterogeneity and risk aversion for probabilistic products, our primary aim is to develop a non-cooperative dynamic price Stackelberg game model considering probabilistic selling under an asymmetric dual-channel structure. This paper enriches the research of the asymmetric dual-channel probabilistic selling supply chain system and provides a new perspective for dual-channel research and a reference for decision-making in probabilistic selling enterprises, because policymakers are eager to formulate pricing strategies for probabilistic selling to solve the practical problems of enterprises; This paper considers the risk aversion of consumers for probabilistic products which further enriches the research on the behavior supply chain; This paper analyzes the entropy complexity and characteristics of the asymmetric dual-channel supply chain and shows that decision variables and parameters have great influence on the stability of the dual-channel supply chain, and that the supply chain system will enter chaos through flip bifurcation or Neimark–Sacker bifurcation with an increase of the system entropy, and the system is more complex and falls into a chaotic state with its entropy increased; The entropy analysis is applied to the pricing of probabilistic products, and the influence of parameter variations on the entropy change of an asymmetric dual channel supply chain is obtained.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
