Coordination and Optimization: The Integrated Supply Chain Analysis with Non-Linear Price-Sensitive Demand

We consider a Cournot oligopoly game, where firms produce an homogenous good and the demand and cost functions are nonlinear. These features make the classical best reply solution difficult to be obtained, even if players have full information about their environment. We propose two different kinds of repeated games based on a lower degree of rationality of the firms, on a reduced information set and reduced computational capabilities. The first adjustment mechanism is called “Local Monopolistic Approximation” (LMA). First firms get the correct local estimate of the demand function and then they use such estimate in a linear approximation of the demand function where the effects of the competitors’ outputs are ignored. On the basis of this subjective demand function they solve their profit maximization problem. By using the second adjustment process, that belongs to a class of adaptive mechanisms known in the literature as “Gradient Dynamics” (GD), firms do not solve any optimization problem, but they adjust their production in the direction indicated by their (correct) estimate of the marginal profit. Both these repeated games may converge to a Cournot–Nash equilibrium, i.e. to the equilibrium of the best reply dynamics. We compare the properties of the two different dynamical systems that describe the time evolution of the oligopoly games under the two adjustment mechanisms, and we analyze the conditions that lead to non-convergence and complex dynamic behaviors. The paper extends the results of other authors that consider similar adjustment processes assuming linear cost functions or linear demand functions.

Rolling horizon-based heuristics for solving a production-routing problem with price-dependent demand

Supply and Demand Functions in Inventory Models

Channel coordination under fairness concerns and nonlinear demand

Purpose In light of the complex and volatile business environment, the study aims to examine the influence of supply chain technological capabilities (SCTCs) on supply chain learning (SCL) and supply chain integration (SCI). Additionally, it examines the impact of supply chain learning and integration on supply chain absorptive capacity, as well as the effect of supply chain absorptive capacity (SCAC) on supply chain resilience (SCR) and supply chain robustness (SCRO). Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a quantitative approach, with data collected from 411 manufacturing firms in China. For data analysis, PLS-SEM was utilized to achieve the study objectives. Findings The outcome reveals that SCTCs favorably influence both SCL and SCI. Furthermore, SCL and SCI positively affect SCAC, which in turn has a beneficial impact on the SCR and SCRO. Practical implications Practitioners gain actionable insights into leveraging SCTCs to enhance collaborative learning and integration, strengthening absorptive capacity. The study guides firms in designing adaptive supply chains by prioritizing technology adoption, knowledge-sharing mechanisms, and agile partnerships to mitigate disruptions. Originality/value Grounded in the dynamic capabilities view, this study advances academic understanding by empirically validating a novel framework linking SCTCs, SCL, SCI and SCAC to SCR and SCRO. Unlike prior studies, it uniquely examines the interplay of these constructs in disruption contexts, addressing a critical gap in supply chain literature. The findings reveal that SCTCs are foundational to fostering SCL and SCI, amplifying SCAC —a key driver of SCR and SCRO.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of two advanced supply chain coordination mechanisms, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) and Collaborative Planning Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR), under a price-sensitive uncertain demand environment, and to make the optimal decisions on retail price and order quantity for both mechanisms. Design/ methodology/ approach: Analytical models are first applied to formulate a profit maximization problem; furthermore, by applying simulation optimization solution procedures, the optimal decisions and performance comparisons are accomplished. Findings: The results of the case study supported the widely held view that more advanced coordination mechanisms yield greater supply chain profit than less advanced ones. Information sharing does not only increase the supply chain profit, but also is required for the coordination mechanisms to achieve improved performance. Research limitations/implications: This study considers a single vendor and a single retailer in order to simplify the supply chain structure for modeling. Practical implications: Knowledge obtained from this study about the conditions appropriate for each specific coordination mechanism and the exact functions of coordination programs is critical to managerial decisions for industry practitioners who may apply the coordination mechanisms considered. Originality/value: This study includes the production cost in Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) equations and combines it with price-sensitive demand under stochastic settings while comparing VMI and CPFR supply chain mechanisms and maximizing the total profit. Although many studies have worked on information sharing within the supply chain, determining the performance measures when the demand is price-sensitive and stochastic was not reported by researchers in the past literature.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to establish the importance of human resource (HR) practices in achieving high levels of supply chain (SC) integration through a conceptual framework (depicting the moderation effect of HR practices on the relationship between information sharing and SC integration) and validating the framework empirically to establish the proposed relationships. Design/methodology/approach The conceptual framework is proposed based on gaps in extant literature. Data from 60 automobile component manufacturing organizations in India are used to analyse the relationship between the study variables. Regression analysis is used to find the relative impact of predictor variable (Information sharing) on SC integration and the moderation effect of HR practices (training, collaborative performance systems and reward alignment) on this relationship. Findings The results indicate that information sharing has a significant effect on SC integration, and the relationship between these two variables is found to be positively moderated by “training” and “reward alignment”, while “collaborative performance systems” does not emerge as a significant moderator in the proposed relationships. Research limitations/implications It is expected that this study will contribute to both academics and practice. Along with extending the scope of research at the academic level, it is also expected to help practising managers to understand the importance of HR in SC, and to identify various HR practices which can be focused on to improve SC integration. Originality/value The framework and analysis presented in this paper help to provide an understanding of how HR practices of organizations can help in improving the relationship between information sharing and SC integration.

Pig sector in China is faced with high risks, such as price fluctuation and food safety, and environmental regulation uncertainty. The recent African swine fever has caused public panic and drop down of pork consumption in a short term. The “wu-shui-gong-zhi” policy is a newly recognized environmental policy risk, and its key content is to shut down directly the pig farms close to water resources. Lots of small- and medium-sized farms have been affected, especially in coastal provinces. Supply chain integration received wide attention in supply chain management. Literature has shown that a well-coordinated food supply chain will bring positive outcomes for chain stakeholders. However, the relationship between food supply chain integration and resilience is not empirically captured. This research aims to explore the relationship between supply chain integration and supply chain resilience, and the mechanism of how supply chain integration works on supply chain resilience. To achieve the research purpose, an in-depth ethnographical case study is performed. Four cases in China’s pig sector were selected, with different types of supply chain integration between cooperative and companies. They differ in supply chain resilience levels. We found that supply chain integration has a positive effect on supply chain resilience through agility and robustness. Supply chain agility also has positive relationship with supply chain robustness. It implies that supply chain stakeholders should efficiently exchange information, enhance circulation rate, and jointly make plans to be more resilient to risks. The government needs to make policies to encourage and facilitate supply chain integration among supply chain members to enhance supply chain resilience.

Purpose This study aims to explore how the application of digital technology and information technology can help firms improve their innovation performance and examines the mediating mechanisms of supply chain agility and supply chain integration. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a questionnaire survey of 320 business managers in an automotive cluster in China and analyzed the collected data using structural equations. Findings Digital technology applications (DTA) have a positive impact on innovation performance, while supply chain agility and integration mediate this impact. In addition, information technology applications (ITA) also has a positive impact on innovation performance, while supply chain agility and integration mediate between the two. Supply chain agility (SCA) and supply chain integration (SCI) significantly enhance the positive impact of technology adoption on firms' innovation performance. Originality/value This study confirms the impact of digital technology and information technology applications on innovation performance and explores the mediating role played by supply chain agility and integration.

In recent years, firms have been using their supply chain integration (SCI) as a competitive weapon in the intensive, globalised competitive arena. The contingent perspective in supply chain management maintains that it is necessary to observe the interaction between SCI practices and supply chain justice. A critical issue to be resolved is whether this fit leads to synergistic and complementary effects on supply chain performance. In order to contribute to this research problem, we analysed supply chain justice instances in order to determine the importance of supply chain justice, as well as highlights complementary role in SCI and its influences on supply chain performance. A conceptual framework has been developed and five propositions established to verify the contents of a theoretical study. Accordingly, balancing the adoption of SCI practices and supply chain justice will lead to the generation of greater benefits relative to the effect of both independent driving forces on supply chain performance. Furthermore, the proposed framework has been analysed in order to examine its applicability in the South African context. The study thereby suggests the empirical research guidelines and the paper concludes with a discussion of future research.

This study investigates how tech-driven integration (TDI), supply chain flexibility (SCF), and organizational ambidexterity (ORA) influence supply chain integration (SCI) and supply chain performance (SCP) in manufacturing firms. Supply chain uncertainty and agility are examined as moderating factors in the relationship between TDI, SCF, ORA, SCI, and supply chain performance. Based on insights from two experts and a comprehensive literature review, 35 measurement items were identified for the close-ended questionnaire design. Grounded in the resource-based view, the study employs the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach to analyze 409 valid responses from the manufacturing industry. Our findings reveal that TDI and ORA positively impact SCI, while SCF has no significant influence on SCI. SCI directly influences SCP. Supply chain uncertainty moderates the two impacts: TDI and SCI; ORA and SCI. Besides, supply chain agility moderates the relationship between SCI and SCP. Our findings contribute to the literature by introducing a novel perspective on the relational dynamics of supply chain management by TDI and emphasizing the importance of organizational ambidexterity. We provide practical recommendations for managers to improve firm performance by strengthening the connections between TDI, SCF, ORA, uncertainty, agility, SCI, and SCP.

Supply Chain Integration in the HR-Service Industry

Although supply chain (SC) integration is well discussed in literature, there is a missing link in its multi-faceted nature, in terms of implementation, at the empirical level. Existing empirical research focus has largely been on examining the impact of SC integration (SCI) on business performance while other issues such as barriers and enablers of SCI have mostly been conceptual. This study was thus set to examine the manner in which firms pursue integration; and how resources, competences, experience, and industry-type influence this course. Using questionnaires, data were collected from 117 service and manufacturing firms operating in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The contribution of this study lies in its ability to critically examine how SCI is pursued and providing validations to the root barriers/enablers of SCI from a contextual standpoint. The findings of the study do not only fill the void in literature but also offer invaluable directions to practitioners and researchers.

This study aims to analyze the effect of Supply Chain Integration and the Quality of Accounting Information Systems on Operational Performance with Supply Chain Risk as a mediating variable. The study uses a quantitative approach with an explanatory design. The study population is MSMEs in the food & beverage sector in one of the districts in Medan City. Sampling using purposive sampling technique and obtained 42 respondents with questionnaires eligible to be tested. The research data is primary data collected through questionnaire distribution and analyzed using multiple linear regression techniques based on a mediation model or MRA, with direct and indirect effects testing using the Sobel test. The results revealed that simultaneously the variables Supply Chain Integration and the Quality of Accounting Information Systems affect Operational Performance, but partially only the Supply Chain Integration variable affects Operational Performance. The mediation test showed that Supply Chain Integration and the Quality of Accounting Information Systems have a negative effect on Supply Chain Risk. This indicates that increasing Supply Chain Integration and the Quality of Accounting Information Systems can reduce exposure to Supply Chain Risk. However, Supply Chain Risk cannot mediate the relationship between Supply Chain Integration and the Quality of Accounting Information Systems on Operational Performance. These findings demonstrate that operational performance in MSMEs is improved more through the influence of supply chain integration and the quality of accounting information systems than through supply chain risk mitigation mechanisms.

Product disposal penalty: Analysing carbon sensitive sustainable supply chains