Cooperative game-based profit allocation for joint distribution alliance under online shopping environment

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Longxiao Li ◽  
Xu Wang ◽  
Yun Lin ◽  
Fuli Zhou ◽  
Shan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Game ◽  
Shapley Value ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Joint Distribution ◽  
Online Shopping ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Service Market ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Profit Allocation

PurposeIn the context of sharing economy and online shopping, establishing a stable urban joint distribution alliance (JDA) is extremely necessary for the entire logistics service market. The purpose of this paper is to rationally allocate the profits and determine the most stable allocation scheme for the urban JDA as well as provide a direction for cooperation between express enterprises and lead managers to pay more attention to the comprehensive performance.Design/methodology/approachCooperative game-based methodologies including the proportion method, the core theory, nucleolus and Shapley value have been employed. Four criteria consisting of enterprise operation, customer satisfaction, environmental sustainability and information technology have been incorporated into Shapley value for improvement.FindingsThis paper reveals that express enterprises in logistics service market can achieve more benefit from JDA than those who operate separately. Among proposed profit allocation schemes, improved Shapley value scheme shows more rationality by considering partners’ asymmetric contribution. Besides, a stable alliance can be always ensured with partners’ lower propensity to disrupt and relatively balanced negotiation power under improved Shapley value scheme.Originality/valueThis paper makes a few attempts to contribute to the literature on the improvement of Shapley value and applies the concept of “propensity to disrupt” into the field of logistics. Besides, this paper provides various profit allocation schemes and incorporates influencing factors into Shapley value for an improvement thus helping policy-makers make better-informed decisions on urban distribution. Additionally, a case study based on urban express enterprises in Southwest China has been conducted to verify the proposed profit allocation schemes.

Importance measures for degrading components based on cooperative game theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-206
Author(s):  
Yingsai Cao ◽  
Sifeng Liu ◽  
Zhigeng Fang
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Game ◽  
Shapley Value ◽  
System Reliability ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Importance Measure ◽  
Engineering Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Timely Feedback ◽  
Degradation Models

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose new importance measures for degrading components based on Shapley value, which can provide answers about how important players are to the whole cooperative game and what payoff each player can reasonably expect. Design/methodology/approach The proposed importance measure characterizes how a specific degrading component contributes to the degradation of system reliability by using Shapley value. Degradation models are also introduced to assess the reliability of degrading components. The reliability of system consisting independent degrading components is obtained by using structure functions, while reliability of system comprising correlated degrading components is evaluated with a multivariate distribution. Findings The ranking of degrading components according to the newly developed importance measure depends on the degradation parameters of components, system structure and parameters characterizing the association of components. Originality/value Considering the fact that reliability degradation of engineering systems and equipment are often attributed to the degradation of a particular or set of components that are characterized by degrading features. This paper proposes new importance measures for degrading components based on Shapley value to reflect the responsibility of each degrading component for the deterioration of system reliability. The results are also able to give timely feedback of the expected contribution of each degrading component to system reliability degradation.

Environmental sustainability of logistics service provider: an ANP-QFD approach

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Siu Lee Lam ◽  
Jing Dai
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Green Supply Chain Management ◽  
Green Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Logistics Service

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a methodology with systematic metrics for logistics service providers (LSPs) to develop their environmental sustainability performance in the context of green supply chain management. Design/methodology/approach – An integrated analytical approach which combines analytical network process (ANP) with quality function deployment (QFD) is proposed to develop LSPs’ environmental sustainability performance. In the approach, QFD is used to translate customer requirements (CRs) for “green” concerns into multiple criteria for LSP’s design requirements (DRs). ANP is used to analyze the inter-relationships among the various CRs and DRs. Findings – The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by applying it to a global LSP. A case study shows how the proposed “ANP-QFD” technique can be deployed to understand customers’ expectation for environment management and develop tactics and measures with the aim to achieve the desirable outcome for LSPs’ environmental sustainability performance. Practical implications – Firms that emphasize sustainability as a competitive priority will benefit by communicating sustainability efforts to customers. Therefore, “ANP-QFD” is an integrative method which helps develop LSPs’ environmental sustainability performance by enabling logistics managers incorporate the “voice” of customers for environmental concerns into their decision-making process. The study demonstrates how to develop LSPs to be greener in order to realize the requirements of green supply chains. The proposed integrated approach can also be applied in other decision-making scenarios for effective green supply chain management. Originality/value – Various approaches that can deal with multiple and conflicting criteria have been adopted for LSP assessment in the literature. However, they fail to include the impact of business objectives and the requirements of company stakeholders (customer in this study) in the identification of performance criteria for LSP. They also did not incorporate the environmental sustainability perspective. This paper contributes to the emerging research topic of environmental sustainability in logistics and supply chains by tackling these inadequacies in the literature. The study facilitates LSPs and the supply chains they serve in achieving better economic and environmental performance, thus leading to truly sustainable outcomes.

Mapping the sharing economy for sustainability research

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 570-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederik Plewnia ◽  
Edeltraud Guenther
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Service Market ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Managers ◽  
Sustainability Research ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
New Business

Purpose In order to guide sustainability research on the sharing economy, the purpose of this paper is to develop a comprehensive framework that captures the wide range of activities and business models that are considered to be part of the sharing economy. Design/methodology/approach Based on a systematic literature review and a content analysis, existing typologies are identified and analyzed for their conceptual intersections. Finally, categorizations from 43 documents are integrated into one framework. Findings Four main dimensions are identified as being used in different contexts to characterize sharing systems and were combined to form one comprehensive typology: shared good or service, market structure, market orientation, and industry sector. Originality/value The proposed typology is able to distinguish sharing activities based on their similarities and differences. Social, economic, and communicational avenues for the term “sharing” are merged into a conceptual foundation of the sharing economy. This enables researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to position their projects in the broad field of sharing. By discussing inherent tensions with regard to sustainability of the sharing economy, the offered categorizations can help to guide future research and policy intervention. Last but not least, professional managers should find valuable ideas for new business models.

scholarly journals Logistics service providers' energy efficiency initiatives for environmental sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Wehner ◽  
Naghmeh Taghavi Nejad Deilami ◽  
Ceren Altuntas Vural ◽  
Árni Halldórsson
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Logistics Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Customer Interface ◽  
Logistics Service Providers

PurposeThis paper discusses logistics service providers' (LSPs’) energy efficiency initiatives for sustainable development, both from an evolutionary perspective and based on a framework consisting of actions, processes (i.e. at the operations interface) and services (i.e. at the customer interface).Design/methodology/approachFollowing a qualitative research design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with sustainability managers at LSPs and the data were analysed via inductive coding. Based on the results and the literature, the authors developed a maturity model for LSPs' transitions to environmental sustainability.FindingsLSPs' sustainable development occurs via operational processes, services at the customer interface, and actions that support those processes and services. Energy efficiency efforts are characterised by process depth that helps LSPs to align with their customers' energy efficiency improvement processes. While services related to energy efficiency connect LSPs and their customers, actions in support vary depending on the logistics activities in which LSPs participate.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is needed to test and verify the maturity model and to clarify the interdependency of its three dimensions.Practical implicationsBy categorising energy efficiency initiatives and proposing a maturity model for LSPs' sustainable development via energy efficiency, the authors have developed a tool for logistics actors to assess their progress towards improved sustainability.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature by providing a three-pillar framework to understand the sustainability transitions of LSPs through energy efficiency. Developing a maturity model using this framework also contributes to the literature with an approach to assess sustainability advancement in the logistics industry.

scholarly journals A Methodology to Exploit Profit Allocation in Logistics Joint Distribution Network Optimization

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Wang ◽  
Xiaolei Ma ◽  
Maozeng Xu ◽  
Likun Wang ◽  
Yinhai Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Cooperative Game ◽  
Joint Distribution ◽  
Cooperative Game Theory ◽  
Distribution Network ◽  
Pso Algorithm ◽  
Distribution Centers ◽  
Allocation Mechanism ◽  
Profit Allocation ◽  
Number Of Customers

Logistics joint distribution network (LJDN) optimization involves vehicle routes scheduling and profit allocation for multiple distribution centers. This is essentially a combinational and cooperative game optimization problem seeking to serve a number of customers with a fleet of vehicles and allocate profit among multiple centers. LJDN routing optimization based on customer clustering units can alleviate the computational complexity and improve the calculation accuracy. In addition, the profit allocation mechanism can be realized based on cooperative game theory through a negotiation procedure by the Logistics Service Provider (LSP). This paper establishes a model to minimize the total cost of the multiple centers joint distribution network when each distribution center is assigned to serve a series of distribution units. An improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is presented to tackle the model formulation by assigning distribution centers (DCs) to distribution units. Improved PSO algorithm combines merits of PSO algorithm and genetic algorithm (GA) with global and local search capabilities. Finally, a Shapley value model based on cooperative game theory is proposed to obtain the optimal profit allocation strategy among distribution centers from nonempty coalitions. The computational results from a case study in Guiyang city, China, suggest the optimal sequential coalition of distribution centers can be achieved according to Strictly Monotonic Path (SMP).

Knowledge management in environmental sustainability practices of third-party logistics service providers

VINE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Evangelista ◽  
Susanne Durst
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Third Party Logistics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Logistics Service Providers ◽  
Sustainability Practices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a structured literature review on knowledge management (KM) and KM strategy in environmental sustainability practices of logistics service providers. The paper highlights the nature and scope of existing research and identifies areas for future research. Design/methodology/approach – The study consists of a systematic review of existing research regarding KM in sustainable logistics. In all, 38 refereed research papers formed the basis of analysis. This methodology allows for the minimization of researcher bias and the maximization of reliability and replicability. Findings – The literature review made possible the identification of three basic elements through which building-up appropriate KM approaches and KM strategies in the area of environmental sustainability by third-party logistics service companies will be enhanced: customer relationship management, quality of human resources and the adoption of information and communication technology tools and systems. Research limitations/implications – This study may not have enabled a complete coverage of all articles in the field of KM in the context of environmental sustainability practices of logistics service companies. Yet, it seems reasonable to assume that the review process covered a large share of studies available. The main research implications deriving from the study concern research methods, analysis of factors hampering/supporting the implementation of KM in practices related to environmental sustainability, development of measures to demonstrate the impact of KM on sustainability practices and role of different stakeholders in the implementation of KM in environmental sustainability practices. Originality/value – To the best of the authors ' knowledge, no systematic literature review on this topic has previously been published in academic journals.

Analysis of customers' return behaviour after online shopping in China using SEM

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 883-902
Author(s):  
Danping Lin ◽  
Carman Ka Man Lee ◽  
M.K. Siu ◽  
Henry Lau ◽  
King Lun Choy
Keyword(s):  
Direct Effect ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Shopping ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Product Return ◽  
Customer Behaviour ◽  
New Perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the potential impacts of various variables on product return activities after online shopping. Previous studies on customer behaviour have been predominantly concerned with return on used products and other product-quality-related constructs in the model. This study aims to specially examine the logistics service-related and customer intention–related variables for general products under the e-commerce circumstance.Design/methodology/approachStructured questionnaire data for this study were collected in the two southeast cities of China (162 useable responses). Structural equation modelling was used to examine the latent variables.FindingsThe results confirmed that product return intention has the greatest impact on online shopping returns with a direct effect of 0.63, followed by the flexibility in return (logistics service) with a direct effect of 0.49.Originality/valueSuch a model not only enriches the theoretical understanding of customer behaviour studies but also offers online shopping stores and platforms a quantitative benchmark and new perspective on the design of online shopping supply chains by considering product returns so as to improve the customer satisfaction.

Public resources allocation using an uncertain cooperative game among vulnerable groups

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1606-1625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei Liang ◽  
Junhua Hu ◽  
Yongmei Liu ◽  
Xiaohong Chen
Keyword(s):  
Resource Allocation ◽  
Cooperative Game ◽  
Shapley Value ◽  
Choquet Integral ◽  
Convex Combination ◽  
Integral Form ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Resource ◽  
Public Resources

Purpose This paper aims to solve the problem of public resource allocation among vulnerable groups by proposing a new method called uncertain α-coordination value based on uncertain cooperative game. Design/methodology/approach First, explicit forms of uncertain Shapley value with Chouqet integral form and uncertain centre-of-gravity of imputation-set (CIS) value are defined separately on the basis of uncertainty theory and cooperative game. Then, a convex combination of the two values above called the uncertain α-coordination value is used as the best solution. This study proves that the proposed methods meet the basic properties of cooperative game. Findings The uncertain α-coordination value is used to solve a public medical resource allocation problem in fuzzy coalitions and uncertain payoffs. Compared with other methods, the α-coordination value can solve such problem effectively because it balances the worries of vulnerable group’s further development and group fairness. Originality/value In this paper, an extension of classical cooperative game called uncertain cooperative game is proposed, in which players choose any level of participation in a game and relate uncertainty with the value of the game. A new function called uncertain α-Coordination value is proposed to allocate public resources amongst vulnerable groups in an uncertain environment, a topic that has not been explored yet. The definitions of uncertain Shapley value with Choquet integral form and uncertain CIS value are proposed separately to establish uncertain α-Coordination value.

scholarly journals Gamification in freight transportation: extant corpus and future agenda

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Carolina Tomé Klock ◽  
Eetu Wallius ◽  
Juho Hamari
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Freight Transportation ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Maritime Transportation ◽  
Human Cognition ◽  
Simulation Games ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeSeveral freight operations rely on human cognition and behavior. Tackling these aspects, gamification transforms activities to resemble game-like experiences. Since the freight transportation sector is rapidly adopting gamification, the purpose of this study is to provide an overview that synthesizes the state-of-the-art and plot future directions for research and the practice of gamifying this area.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of the gamification of freight transportation was conducted. After screening 691 studies, 40 relevant studies were analyzed.FindingsMost studies found positive psychological and behavioral outcomes from gamification. Literature mainly focused on tackling the operational-level issues of road and maritime transportation modes by implementing simulation games.Research limitations/implicationsBesides elaborating how gamification can improve freight transportation, the authors describe directions still uncovered by the current corpus, such as research design and temporality and the variety of modes and tasks.Practical implicationsPractical implications emerged from the studies, primarily focusing on understanding users, tasks and contexts, targeting different audiences and transportation modalities, and balancing motivational affordances, while considering the demands of the freight transportation domain, including dynamic, spatially dispersed environments and cooperation between multiple stakeholders.Social implicationsThe transportation of goods dominates much of the global economy and ecology. Therefore, gamifying this domain has a huge societal impact potential, especially related to issues of sharing economy, safety, environmental sustainability and social media.Originality/valueBeyond providing an original overview of gamified freight transportation, this study maps current research gaps and describes practical recommendations.

Who controls transport emissions and who cares? Investigating the monitoring of environmental sustainability from a logistics service provider’s perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 798-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrik Ralf Nilsson ◽  
Henrik Sternberg ◽  
Thorsten Klaas-Wissing
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Policies ◽  
Road Transportation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Road ◽  
Logistics Service ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Logistics Services ◽  
Sustainability Challenges

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the environmental impact of logistics service provider (LSP) activities in the light of customer priorities and the fragmentation of the road haulage industry in Europe. It also explores the extent to which LSPs can actually monitor the environmental impact of logistics activities in the supply chain (SC). Design/methodology/approach The research is based on a narrative literature review, an interview study, a case survey and three in-depth case studies. A framework on sustainability challenges in SCs, derived from the literature, is used to structure and analyse the findings. Findings Despite the ambitious environmental schemes communicated by several LSPs, they show little interest in, and exert little control over, the actual emissions generated from their transport operations. It is clear from the results that any real concern from customers for environmental solutions which negatively influence the cost and time requirements of logistics services is not yet a reality. Research limitations/implications This paper implies that LSP sustainability cannot be investigated in isolation if a company does not manage its proprietary resources (like owning trucks and employing drivers), but rather engage subcontractors. Practical implications Environmental policies among different LSPs appear to be similar as policies, but differ in practice. This variation of practices emphasises the importance of follow-up control by environmentally aware buyers of logistics services. Originality/value This paper represents a novel approach as to how LSP environmental policies should be viewed. It highlights the concrete need for action to achieve the environmental targets of 2020 and 2050 for carbon emissions from road transportation.

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