E-commerce Supply Chain Research Articles

Logistics service decision for e-commerce supply chain with fairness concern under uncertain environment

In this paper, we construct a two-echelon supply chain composed of an e-commerce platform and a manufacturer. We investigate the impact of manufacturer’s fairness concern (MFC) on e-commerce supply chain logistics service decisions under an uncertain environment. Given the uncertainty of the market environment, we depict unit cost of product and logistics service elasticity as uncertain variables. We construct four game-theoretical models, i.e. the manufacturer or the platform undertakes logistics service without and with considering the MFC, and compare the equilibrium solutions through numerical analysis. The results demonstrate that providing logistics services through an e-commerce platform increases the profits of all supply chain participants, regardless of whether the MFC is considered or not. Furthermore, we discover that the manufacturer will not always benefit from the MFC, the MFC can decrease the expected profits of supply chain participants. Interestingly, an increase in the level of environmental uncertainty does not necessarily imply a threat to the interests of supply chain participants. Under an uncertain environment, every supply chain participant needs to consider its fairness concern behavior and coordinate with logistics service strategies.

Integrated Shipment Consolidation and Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) for Profit Maximization in E-commerce Supply Chains with Dynamic Demand

Integrated Shipment Consolidation and Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) for Profit Maximization in E-commerce Supply Chains with Dynamic Demand

Securing the network in e-retailing and manufacturing: a balanced decision analysis under competition and cooperation modes

With the continuous emergence of network problems, the e-commerce supply chain faces the risk of network attacks. This paper studies a dual-channel supply chain, where manufacturers can earn revenue through online channels (i.e. manufacturers sell products through e-retailers) and offline channels (i.e. manufacturers sell products directly to consumers). In the online channel, we analysed two modes. The first is the competitive model, where e-tailers buy products from manufacturers and resell them to consumers. The second is a cooperative model, in which manufacturers pay a commission to sell products to consumers on e-retailer platforms. We divide the network risk prevention methods into three models: the M model (wherein the manufacturer conducts risk defense blocking), the E model (wherein e-retailers conduct risk defense blocking), and the ME model (wherein e-retailers and manufacturers conduct risk defense blocking simultaneously). These cases are discussed in this paper. The results show that manufacturers and e-retailers will gain the highest profit in the ME model, regardless of competition mode or cooperation mode. As a result, manufacturers and retailers can simultaneously mount cyber defenses seeking to maximize profits. In addition, government subsidies have a positive effect on encouraging supply chain members to take defensive measures.

Consumer service level-oriented resilience optimisation for e-commerce supply chain considering hybrid strategies with blockchain adoption

ABSTRACT The booming development of customised e-commerce makes e-commerce supply chains experience a severe test of consumer service level (CSL). An efficient e-commerce supply chain resilience optimisation method addressing economic performance and service performance is proposed to improve customised services under disruption risks. The proposed method includes a hybrid strategy considering both a resistance strategy with blockchain (BCT) adoption and time-dependent recovery strategies simultaneously. A two-stage multi-period multi-product stochastic programming with BCT adoption is then proposed, which (1) implements BCT as the resistance strategy in the pre-disruption stage; (2) collaborates four recovery strategies in the post-disruption stage; (3) supports the e-tailer in making decisions and optimises his profit and order fulfillment time while taking product priorities into account. Using the actual data of Chinese e-commerce during the public health emergency in 2020, it is demonstrated that (1) the applicability of the model with BCT adoption in both supply chain resilience and CSL improvement; (2) the performance of the hybrid strategy in long-term disruption management; (3) the efficiency and robustness of the proposed solution approach for multi-objective high-dimensional stochastic programming problems. E-tailers can optimise decision-making under long-term disruptions by the proposed methodology in practices.

Navigating Global Trade: Genetic Algorithm Approaches to E-Commerce Supply Chain and Inventory Optimization

Navigating Global Trade: Genetic Algorithm Approaches to E-Commerce Supply Chain and Inventory Optimization

The impact of Artificial Intelligence on E-commerce supply chain sector in achieving cost efficiency and economic growth: A business and economics perspective

The study aims to find how much cost effectiveness is achieved when e-commerce supply chain operations use automation and AI technologies. therefore,ing technology of AI and its models have essentially proved to be impactful in making data driven decisions by the organisations gaining leverage in productivity and profit sustainability in a way that the companies achieve competitive advantage therefore creating sustainable value propositions from business and economics perspective. Aim/Purpose The aim of the paper is to explore the positive relationship between AI technologies and productivity levels in the e-commerce supply chain sector through achieving cost effectiveness and economic growth. Methodology/Approach The study focussed on reviewing literature on how Artificial Intelligence driven technology can optimise various supply chain functions within e-commerce sector. Solow-Swan growth model has been applied to investigate the value AI creates in utilising capital, labour input to achieve output growth. Positivist approach that allowed for objective observation and independent conclusions has been adopted. For primary data, quantitative methodology is used through survey questionnaires to gather data from a sample of 206 employees, managers, data analysts in e-commerce supply chain sectors. Findings The findings from the secondary sources inform that the use of AI and automation in the e-commerce industry leads to a high rate of productivity in terms of reducing costs and promoting economic growth. The primary research methods, through survey questionnaires collects real-time data that helps achieve quantifiable and measurable values to conclude that AI-led technology can increase productivity and competitive advantage as it saves cost while increasing productivity and overall economic input. Descriptive statistics of measures of central tendency were used to present findings in simpler, presentable way followed by interpretations of the data in percentages. Practical implications Managers and decision-making directorial board members have important lessons to learn from these findings as the quantifiable values may give them an insight into how much capital investment should be allocated for AI technologies and how predictive analytics and data analysis can accelerate their service towards becoming customer centric. Significant strategic planning and implementation of resource management can lead to higher rates of productivity profitability and eventually higher economic growth.

Trachyspermum ammi, a plant-based antimicrobial agent for paper packaging in e-commerce for consumer safety

This study used a plant-based antimicrobial agent (Trachyspermum ammi or Ajowan essential oil) to develop a water-based coating emulsion with polyvinyl alcohol as a binder. The emulsion was spray-coated onto the packaging paper to achieve antimicrobial properties and prevent disease transmission during the e-commerce supply chain. The coated papers were studied for their morphological, chemical, mechanical, barrier, and antimicrobial behaviors. The presence of Ajowan oil on coated paper was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and surface morphology. In parallel, the time-bound release of volatile Ajowan oil from the coated papers was demonstrated when stored in a controlled environment using UV–vis spectroscopy. Both bending stiffness and tear strength significantly increased for coated papers due to the presence of polyvinyl alcohol in the coating, whereas the high concentration of oil resulted slight decrease in tensile and burst strength of coated papers. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of coated paper was checked against S. aureus and E. coli at different concentrations of Ajowan oil in coating and was found to be effective for 10 days. The coated papers also showed remarkable antimicrobial activity when tested against all unknown microbes on bare human hands.

Review of Research on the Impact of Blockchain Technology on Supply Chain Operational Decision Making

Blockchain is closely integrated with supply chain management, which can effectively avoid the tampering of real information and realize the effective traceability of supply chain information. At present, how blockchain technology empowers the supply chain and how supply chain operation decision-making has become a hot issue in current supply chain management research. This paper combs through the relevant research on the impact of blockchain technology on supply chain operation decision-making, takes different kinds of supply chains as the perspective, and divides the research into three major types: fresh e-commerce supply chain, shipping supply chain, and green supply chain, forming a literature review. The research results of relevant scholars are elaborated respectively, and the research on the impact of blockchain technology on supply chain operation decision-making is further summarized and the direction of future research is proposed.

Return-refund strategy with coordination contracts in the e-commerce supply chain: a study under effects of digitalization and sustainable manufacturing

Return-refund strategy with coordination contracts in the e-commerce supply chain: a study under effects of digitalization and sustainable manufacturing

Research on Risk Propagation in Fresh E-commerce Supply Chain Based on Complex Networks

In recent years, the rapid growth of the fresh e-commerce industry has introduced several potential risk factors to the supply chain that necessitate preventative measures. This paper aims to study the risk propagation within the fresh e-commerce supply chain and propose strategies for risk control. Firstly, a dual local world fitness network model is constructed by combining the fitness model with the local world model. This model is then validated, showing consistency with the actual network. Building upon this, an improved SEIRS risk propagation model is developed, and the basic reproduction number is calculated to simulate the risk propagation within the fresh e-commerce supply chain. The results indicate that the degree of risk propagation is positively correlated with the initial infection rate, risk outbreak rate, and loss of immunization rate, while negatively correlated with the risk recovery rate and risk elimination rate.

Enhancing resilience in transnational E-commerce supply chains: Critical factors, perspectives and strategic action plan

This study develops a hybrid model to investigate the factors affecting transnational e-commerce supply chain resilience (TNSCRE) by integrating the Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), and Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM). The study identifies 36 critical factors categorized under supply chain adaptability, supply chain efficiency, and supply chain evolution, and five criteria are used to rank these factors. The EWM is used to calculate the relative weights of the criteria, and the SAW method is used to rank the factors based on their weighted scores. The ISM is then used to evaluate the interrelationships among the key factors. The research highlights the significance of several factors, such as the speed of supply chain disruption recovery, interactive collaboration, and response time to supply chain disruption. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the findings. Finally, a SWOT analysis is conducted to develop a strategic action plan for addressing these significant factors. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the factors that impact TNSCRE from the perspective of multiple stakeholders. The findings can help e-commerce business owners improve their existing supply chain resilience and achieve sustainable growth in the context of globalization.

“E-Commerce Supply Chain Efficiency: A Case Study of Amazon Ecommerce Company”

This research is on supply chain efficiency of e-commerce industry. this research is on specific company for get idea about all e-commerce platform. Amazon company is one of the largest ecommerce companies in the world with extensive market capitalization. We are going to know that how amazon company maintain its supply and orders with their demands. There are mainly four key elements for efficient supply chain is integration, operation, purchasing and distribution. With supply chain efficiency, amazon will pick up inventory from manufacturing facilities around the world, ship it across borders, handle customs clearance and ground transportation, store inventory in bulk, manage replenishment across amazon and other sales channels, and driver directly to customer. All without seller having to worry about managing their supply chain. The new solution allows sellers to spend more time building great products, delighting customers, and growing their business, while amazon handles the logistics, improves delivery speed and reduce costs for sellers

Platform service decision and selling mode selection under different power structures

PurposeThis paper forms an e-commerce supply chain that include a manufacturer providing products and an online platform providing service. The reselling platform mode and the agent platform mode are considered through an exploration of the manufacturer Stackelberg (MS), vertical Nash (VN), platform Stackelberg (PS) power structures. The purpose of this paper is to explore the pricing and platform service decisions under different platform selling modes and channel power structures.Design/methodology/approachBased on the game theory models, this paper investigates the interaction between the manufacturer and the online platform under four different scenarios. The optimal solutions of four models are provided. Through comparison analyses, this paper evaluates the impacts of platform selling mode and channel power structure on the pricing and platform service decisions and the members’ profits.FindingsThe manufacturer prefers the MS power structure in any platform mode. The online platform prefers the PS (MS) power structure under a low (high) service cost efficiency in the reselling platform mode, while prefers the PS and VN power structures in the agent platform mode. Moreover, the manufacturer prefers the agent (reselling) platform mode under a low (high) service cost efficiency in any power structure. The online platform prefers the reselling platform mode in the MS and PS power structures, while prefers the reselling (agent) platform mode under a low (high) service cost efficiency in the VN power structures.Originality/valueThe analysis result provides important managerial implications that help the supply chain members develop a better understanding of the selection of the platform selling mode and the effect of the channel power structure in the presence of platform service.

Construction and implementation of cross-border e-commerce supply chain system under the background of green and low-carbon

PurposeAs China’s e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce rapidly develop, the cross-border e-commerce supply chain exhibits characteristics of globalized development scale, collaborative multiparty participation, streamlined management processes, digitalized production and trade and flexible strategic choices. It tends toward data-driven intelligence, interoperable information collaboration, personalized order responses, sustainable supply chain management and secure blockchain technology. These characteristics and trends provide critical references for businesses, governments and investors.Design/methodology/approachIn response to issues such as inconsistent legal regulations, imbalanced logistics and transportation, imperfect payment settlements and opaque supply chains.FindingsIt is recommended to take measures to strengthen cooperation and communication, optimize logistics, reduce customs clearance difficulties, reinforce safeguard measures and promote sustainable development, collectively fostering the healthy growth of cross-border e-commerce.Originality/valueWith the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce, green and low-carbon initiatives have become a significant trend in this sector. The cross-border e-commerce supply chain refers to the mechanism that reduces environmental impacts and enhances resource efficiency from manufacturers to consumers. It primarily involves manufacturers, e-commerce platforms, logistics companies and payment and settlement processes. The cross-border e-commerce supply chain is gradually becoming a highlight in China’s foreign trade, supporting the concept of “buying globally and selling globally” and connecting the “world’s factory” with the “world’s market.”

Research on the Resilience Assessment of Cross-border E-commerce Supply Chains under the RCEP Agreement

Under the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) agreement, cross-border e-commerce supply chains face the multiple risks that can lead to supply chain disruptions, severely affecting a nation's economic security, trade stability, and international market competitiveness. Enhancing supply chain resilience is a key method to address supply chain disruptions. This study, based on an analysis of the characteristics of cross-border e-commerce supply chains, utilizes Grounded Theory and Social Network Analysis to construct an evaluation indicator system. The resilience indicator system for cross-border e-commerce supply chains under the RCEP agreement developed in this study aids in the efficient and stable development of businesses.

Research on the Influence of Subsidies on E-commerce Supply Chain Decision under the Background of Blockchain

Based on blockchain technology, this paper takes e-commerce supply chain decision-making as the research topic, and comprehensively considers many factors such as different consumer types, consumer traceability information, preference subsidy, etc., and constructs a business supply chain game model, and uses Stackelberg game theory to solve the equilibrium solution of the model. Finally, the results are verified by numerical simulation It is found that the use of blockchain technology can always make the profits of supply chain enterprises higher regardless of whether subsidies are made or not. With the increase of subsidies, the profits of supply chain enterprises will increase. For consumers, general consumers can always benefit from blockchain technology, loyal consumers need subsidies under certain conditions, but the same is true. The greater the subsidies, the more consumers will benefit from blockchain technology In addition, we find that subsidies can effectively improve social welfare, but there is a certain threshold beyond which the improvement effect will be weakened.

Research on Blockchain-driven Agricultural Products E-commerce Supply Chain Innovation under Game Perspective

With the arrival of the big data era, digital technology has achieved an unprecedented development speed, and blockchain, as a representative of digital technology, solves the problem of mutual trust between multiple transaction subjects in different scenarios with the technological advantages of decentralisation, timestamping and non-tampering. Currently, in the agricultural products e-commerce supply chain scenario, there is the problem of credit risk of agricultural products producers and sellers. Aiming at the pain points of agricultural products e-commerce supply chain, this paper analyses from the perspective of game, through blockchain incentive mechanism, and puts forward blockchain-driven agricultural products e-commerce supply chain innovation suggestions.

Research on the Development Strategy of Intelligent Logistics System of Live Streaming E-commerce Supply Chain

The rapid development of live streaming e-commerce has brought new challenges and opportunities to supply chain logistics. The purpose of this paper is to study the development strategy of intelligent logistics in live streaming e-commerce supply chain and explore how to optimize the operation of live streaming e-commerce supply chain through intelligent logistics. Firstly, this paper discusses the reality and previous studies on live e-commerce and intelligent logistics. Secondly, this paper also analyzes the case of Arpa's live streaming e-commerce intelligent logistics construction. After that, summarizing the above research, it is found that in the current process of intelligent logistics system construction of live streaming e-commerce supply chain, there are problems such as the lack of professional talents, the lack of standard system, the decline of investment attention and the lack of logistics infrastructure. Finally, this paper puts forward the suggestions for the construction of intelligent logistics system of live streaming e-commerce supply chain from the perspectives of policy, professional talents, investment and technological innovation.

Marketplace or reseller? The effect of asymmetric selling cost and demand information

PurposeWe explore the driving forces behind the channel choices of the manufacturer and the platform by considering asymmetric selling cost and demand information.Design/methodology/approachThis paper develops game-theoretical models to study different channel strategies for an E-commerce supply chain, in which a manufacturer distributes products through a platform that may operate in either the marketplace channel or the reseller channel.FindingsThree primary models are built and analyzed. The comparison results show that the platform would share demand information in the reseller channel only if the service cost performance is relatively high. Besides, with an increasing selling cost, the equilibrium channel might shift from the marketplace to the reseller. With increasing information accuracy, the manufacturer tends to select the marketplace channel, while the platform tends to select the reseller channel if the service cost performance is low and tends to select the marketplace channel otherwise.Practical implicationsAll these results have been numerically verified in the experiments. At last, we also resort to numerical study and find that as the service cost performance increases, the equilibrium channel may shift from the reseller channel to the marketplace channel. These results provide managerial guidance to online platforms and manufacturers regarding strategic decisions on channel management.Originality/valueAlthough prior research has paid extensive attention to the driving forces behind the online channel choice between marketplace and reseller, there is at present few study considering the case where a manufacturer selling through an online platform faces a demand information disadvantage in the reseller channel and sales inefficiency in the marketplace channel. To fill this research gap, our work illustrates the interaction between demand information asymmetry and selling cost asymmetry to identify the equilibrium channel strategy and provides useful managerial guidelines for both online platforms and manufacturers.

Blockchain sharding for e-commerce supply chain performance analytics towards Industry 5.0

ABSTRACT In today’s competitive and volatile e-commerce markets, effective supply chain performance measurement (SCPM) gradually becomes essential for investigating pitfalls and loopholes in strategic vendor management and business development. Surrounding the atmosphere of Industry 5.0, sustainability and resilience are two primary pillars, which should be further considered in the SCPM beyond merely operational effectiveness and efficiency. This study customises evaluation criteria based on the green supply chain operations reference model. Moreover, a blockchain sharding-enabled performance analytics system is designed, where a real-life case analysis is conducted to verify the system efficacy. Consequently, the supply chain sustainability and resilience can be fostered.