Effects of Channel Structure on the Quality Competition of Exclusively Distributed Products

SAPO-5, −11, −31, −41, −34, ZSM-5, −22 and −23 were synthesized by using the hydrothermal method and characterized by various methods such as XRD, SEM, XRF and TPD of NH3. They are representative of large-pore, medium-pore, small-pore, weak acid, strong acid, monodimensional channel and zigzag channel type of molecular sieves. Effects of pore size, the number of acid sites over medium-pore SAPOs, acid strength and shape of medium-pore channel on hydroisomerization of n-octane were examined over Pt-loaded corresponding molecular sieves. These results indicate that the selectivity to isomerization in hydroisomerization of n-octane is highly influenced by channel structure in molecular sieves and the conversion activity of n-octane is dependent on acidity of molecular sieves. Monodimensional medium-pore molecular sieves are ideal catalytic materials for higher isomerization selectivity in hydroisomerization of n-octane regardless of acid strength, such as SAPO-11, −31, −41, ZSM-22 and −23.

A review on the thermal-hydraulic performance and optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for supercritical CO2 in advanced nuclear power systems

With the increasing power requirements of electronic devices, high heat flux will cause serious damage to the devices. Based on the basic theory of micro-nano heat transfer, the series and topological microchannel heat sink models are established. The flow field characteristics and temperature distribution in the heat sink are analyzed by numerical calculation. The effects of channel structure on temperature, pressure drop, the Nusselt number, and enhanced heat transfer factor are compared, and the micro-mechanism of heat transfer enhancement in microchannels is clarified. It is found that the Nusselt number of the flow field can be significantly increased by adding the triangular groove in the microchannel, and the enhanced heat transfer factor in the channel can be greatly improved by the topological structure. Further analysis of the factors such as angle α, diameter ratios γ, and topological structures of the triangular groove shows that when α = 70 deg, the Nusselt number of the flow field is 3.1 times of that of the straight channel and the enhanced heat transfer factor is 2.7 times of that of it; compared with the straight channel, the comprehensive heat transfer performance of the microchannel with γ = 1/2 is improved by 31%; when using variable cross-sectional topology microchannel with triangle structure (T.Tr.N.) topology, the convective heat transfer of the microchannel is 2.6 times of that of the straight channel and the comprehensive heat transfer performance is increased by 5.9 times.

Enhancing the online buyer perception of consumer experience products in a dual-channel supply chain: A new role of free-riding

This work investigates a two‐tier supply chain in which a supplier adjusts product quality and prices and distributes the products through a retailer or directly to consumers with the reference quality (RQ) effect. The supplier can choose from three, that is, traditional sales (TS), dual‐channel (DC), and online‐to‐offline (O2O), sales modes. In the O2O sales mode, the retailer is allowed to open an online channel. The market demands are determined by the consumer utility consisting of two parts, a part depending on the consumer RQ effect and the other depending on the retail price and product quality. The profit maximization, that is, the Stackelberg game, models involving the consumer RQ effect are developed using prospect theory, wherein the supplier has the first mover advantage. The analytical optimal solutions are obtained through backward induction. The optimal quality and pricing decisions and the optimal profits of the supply chain members are compared among the three sales modes. A practical application is analyzed to verify the theoretical results of the proposed models. The results show that the consumer RQ effect benefits the two supply chain members under certain conditions. The optimal quality and pricing decisions are significantly affected by the consumer RQ effect except those of the supplier under the O2O sales mode. When consumers have the RQ effect, the DC sales mode is the best choice for the supplier, is a win–win mode for the two supply chain members under certain conditions, and benefits the consumers the most among the three sales modes.

<p style='text-indent:20px;'>This study considers a supply chain consists of one manufacturer produces a product with a quality level and sells it through one retailer. A stylized model is developed to investigate the impacts of consumers' privacy concerns on pricing, quality decisions, and profitability through the relationship between product quality and personal information. When consumers' privacy concern is considered, the product quality level, the wholesale price, the payoffs of the manufacturer and retailer, and consumer surplus decrease with the personal information loss, whereas the selling price increases if this loss is low. Our results also show that the retailer prefers to charge a high selling price if the information benefit and the personal information loss are low, or the information benefit is relatively high. Moreover, a "win-win-win" outcome can be achieved among the manufacturer, retailer, and consumers if the personal information loss is sufficiently low. In the case of quality-differentiated products, however, although the manufacturer improves the product quality level, the wholesale prices are increased if the information benefit and the personal information loss are low, or the information benefit is high.</p>

This is what’s in store for you: How online social learning affects product positioning

This paper addresses a competition problem in two Pharmaceutical Supply Chains (PSCs) with their exclusive retailer and manufacturer. However, the key to successful manufacturing is not just understanding a Product Life Cycle (PLC), but also proactively managing products throughout their lifetime, applying the appropriate resources and sales and marketing strategies, depending on what stage products are at in the cycle. Providing a competitive pharmaceutical supply chain under a product life cycle and offering Nash and Stackelberg games under the marketing mix strategies (i.e., price, product quality, location, and advertising) and product life cycle (i.e., introduction, growth, and maturity) is a novel idea that needs to be studied. So, a demand function depends on the marketing mix strategies. The competition between PSCs is considered based on the levels of price, quality, access, and promotion (i.e., marketing mix) across different stages of their PLC. Concerning the PLC and the position of a supply chain in a specific period of their PLC, the considered competitions are Nash and Stackelberg. The results of the level of the marketing mix, demand, and profit for each supply chain are obtained by given different games in line with the stage of their PLC. Furthermore, based on investigating the previous annual data, the sensitivity coefficients of the marketing mix of PSCs in the demand function, these coefficients are considered as stochastic fuzzy parameters. Based on the obtained results, the average total profit of the two supply chains in the product life cycle, at Nash equilibrium, is 6.5 times that of Stackelberg. The average total profit of the first supply chain in the product life cycle, at Stackelberg, is 10% higher than Nash equilibrium. Moreover, the average total profit of the second supply chain in the product life cycle, at Nash equilibrium, is 19 times that of Stackelberg.

Product Quality, Service and Pricing

ABSTRACTWe develop game‐theoretic models to study the sourcing strategy of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) in the presence of a competing contract manufacturer (CCM). The OEM sells the product in a high‐quality brand and has three strategy options: producing the product in house or outsourcing production to either a CCM or a noncompeting contract manufacturer (NCM). At the same time, the CCM provides its own product in a low‐quality brand. We show that when the product qualities are exogenous, the OEM's sourcing strategy decision depends on the OEM brand's efficiency in producing and selling the product (the difference between quality and production cost), relative to that of the CCM brand. Interestingly, the OEM may prefer outsourcing to a CCM to soften price competition, even though this will mean a higher wholesale price; the CCM also prefers to produce for the OEM, even though its total demand may decrease. When the product qualities are endogenous, however, with quality competition, the OEM prefers either insourcing or outsourcing to an NCM to increase quality differentiation, depending on its cost disadvantage in producing the high‐quality product.

The article examines current trends and prospects for the development of the vegetable market in Ukraine in the context of the transformation of the agricultural sector and European integration processes. It substantiates the role of marketing as a key tool for improving the efficiency of agricultural enterprises in the vegetable growing industry. The dynamics of production, the structure of distribution channels, the level of profitability, and the price situation in the vegetable market are analyzed, and the main factors affecting the competitiveness of domestic vegetable producers are identified. Particular attention is paid to the introduction of modern production technologies, digitization and automation of agrotechnical and logistical processes, and the development of greenhouse and organic vegetable growing. Environmentally oriented practices are considered as a component of sustainable development of enterprises and their adaptation to the requirements of the European market. Based on analytical data, a long-term forecast for the development of the vegetable market has been formed, which provides for stable growth in production volumes, expansion of export potential, and diversification of the range of vegetable products. The article systematizes models of development of vegetable market enterprises depending on the scale of activity and organizational and legal forms, and considers the feasibility of using cooperative and vertically integrated approaches. Practical recommendations are proposed for business entities and government agencies on stimulating innovation, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and forming a stable regulatory policy.

Internet based distribution systems

What If Marketers Put Their Customers Ahead of Profits?

Impacts of subsidy regulation on the mobile market in Korea : Major provider’s diversification of handset quality

We examine the relationship between firm‐sponsored training and product quality competition within a model of worker–firm bargaining. We develop a quality‐adjusted monopolistically competitive setting in which firms invest in training to an extent that reflects: (i) the costs of training, (ii) the extent to which training increases product quality, and (iii) the extent to which product quality increases final product demand. We identify the conditions under which greater sensitivity between product demand and quality results in greater firm‐sponsored training.