Contract design for the fourth party logistics considering tardiness risk

Nowadays, tardiness has become a significant risk in the logistics industry. To address this problem, we introduce the tardiness risk index to quantify both the magnitude of the tardiness risk and the maximum probability of tardiness occurring. In this paper, we investigate the contract design problem with the tardiness risk index to mitigate the tardiness risk when a fourth-party logistics company (4PL) delegates the delivery task of a client to a third-party logistics company (3PL). Specifically, the contracts are designed in a decentralized system with information symmetry and information asymmetry when 3PL is risk neutral and risk averse. Furthermore, the incentive problems demonstrated that the 3PL is encouraged to make the optimal effort for delivery and the 4PL determines the optimal fixed payment and penalty coefficient. Through analyzing the experimental simulation results, we can find that the contract can effectively mitigate the tardiness risk and the maximum probability of risk occurrence.

DEVELOPMENT OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF A MULTI-NODE DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM FOR MANAGING DATA FLOWS OF MOBILE DEVICES

В статье рассматривается модель распределенной автоматизированной системы информационного мониторинга в режиме реального времени в условиях нестационарной нагрузки. Приведена структура, описана математическая модель, представлен алгоритм и некоторые результаты исследований. The article discusses a model of a distributed automated information monitoring system in real time under non-stationary load conditions. The structure is given, a mathematical model is described, an algorithm and some research results are presented.

DEVELOPMENT OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL FOR THE FUNCTIONING OF A MULTI-NODE DECENTRALIZED SYSTEM FOR MANAGING DATA FLOWS OF MOBILE DEVICES

В статье рассматривается модель распределения ресурсов сети, представленной множеством разнородных мобильных устройств, разнесенных в пространстве, обладающих возможностью динамического выхода из системы и перемещения в ней. Описана математическая модель и приведены результаты ее применения. The model of the distribution of network resources is discusses in the article. The network is represented by a multitude of heterogeneous mobile devices, spaced apart, with the ability to dynamically leaving the system and moving in it. A mathematical model is described and the results of its application are presented.

Internet of Things Supervision System and Supply Chain Financial Supervision Methods Based on Blockchain Technology

With the continuous progress of blockchain technology, how to use it for commodity traceability has become a concern. This study mainly discusses the Internet of Things supervision system and supply chain financial supervision method based on blockchain technology. The whole blockchain network is a decentralized system, which consists of six layers: data layer, network layer, and consensus layer. These three layers are the foundation layer; the other three layers are incentive layer, contract layer, and application layer. The interface of the platform needs to be conceived in combination with the business of building materials. According to the functional differentiation, the required interfaces mainly include information generation interface, information verification, information retrieval, and other information interfaces. Smart contracts can process data, operate asset transactions, manage smart assets, and expand the ability of blockchain to use data. In this way, the blockchain technology can trace the source of the data, so as to ensure the authenticity and security of the data. Blockchain technology can be used in data tracking. Specifically, in the building materials industry, with the help of blockchain technology, building material mixing enterprises can see the raw materials such as sand and gravel purchased under the order, the region where they are produced, the time point of transportation, the carrier, etc. In the process of supply chain financial supervision experiment, when the pledge rate of building materials is within the range of [0.4206,1], the bank income under the block chain mode is higher. The system designed in this study realizes the certification and traceability of building materials and has good use value.

BFT in Blockchains: From Protocols to Use Cases

A blockchain is a distributed system that achieves strong security guarantees in storing, managing, and processing data. All blockchains achieve a common goal: building a decentralized system that provides a trustworthy service in an untrustworthy environment. A blockchain builds a Byzantine fault-tolerant system where decentralized nodes run a protocol to reach an agreement on the common system state. In this article, we focus on the research of BFT protocols. In particular, we categorize BFT protocols according to both the system models and workflow. We seek to answer a few important questions: How has the research in BFT evolved in the past four decades, especially with the rise of blockchains? What are the driven needs for BFT research in the future?

Constitutional and legal principles of regionalization in European countries: structural and functional characteristics of the mechanism of public power

The article analyzes the basic principles of regionalization in European countries and highlights the key features of the mechanism of functioning of public authorities in the context of regionalization. The European experience convincingly shows that an effective decentralized system of territorial organization of public power and administration is an integral part of a modern democratic state governed by the rule of law. The institutional basis for such a system is effective local government and balanced regional development. Decentralization and regionalization are interconnected: regionalization cannot occur without decentralization. Regionalization is, in fact, decentralization, taking into account the regional characteristics of the state. Based on the principle of division of powers, for each democratic state it is necessary to delineate the competence of public authorities. In turn, it is extremely important to determine the optimal level of concentration of power powers for each institutional link in the public power system - with the subsequent transfer of “excess” powers to the subjects as close as possible to the population, that is, their decentralization. Regionalization means a way of defining and delimiting tasks and functions, in which most of them are transferred from the level of central bodies to a lower level and become their own tasks and powers of lower-level bodies, in particular, regions. Governance at the local level and in local affairs can be carried out in two ways: both by officials of the state apparatus appointed “from above”, functioning “on the ground” (officials of state authorities), and by local governments and other entities authorized by the state. It can also be noted that the share of administrative activities is assigned to regional bodies or other state-authorized entities. This decentralization of power in the state contributes to the development of democracy, because there is an expansion of the influence of territorial communities, social groups and the public on the implementation of public functions of government in order to optimally meet the diverse needs of the population. Regionalization is associated with the process of redistribution of public power resources (including power) between different levels and centers of public power in two directions: from the state to its internal formation (autonomies, subjects of the federation), and also from the state to cross-border structures and international centers public authorities (trans-European regions, international organizations, transnational corporations). Regionalism should be understood as an interconnected political and economic system that ensures the special status of regional entities in the political system of the state, the participation of regions in the implementation of state power, European integration and international relations, their relative economic and fiscal independence in a unitary and/or federal state. Regionalism is also expressed in policies that stimulate the endowing the regions with a certain degree of political independence. Regionalism is associated with the desire and movement of regions towards freedom of self-government, preservation and respect of their traditional culture and peculiar institutions.

Supply Chain Performance with Target-Oriented Firms

Problem definition: We study a supply chain in which a supplier sets the wholesale price and a retailer responds with an order quantity. Both of the two firms can be either risk-neutral—maximizing the expected profit—or target-oriented, which is to maximize her or his ability to reach a target profit. Academic/practical relevance: Our work not only sheds light on the benefit/loss of trading with target-oriented decision makers but also, adds new knowledge to the supply chain coordination literature. Methodology: We provide strong support for firms’ target-based preference and the linear target formation model through a survey as well as analyzing company data. With the firms’ target-oriented behavior evaluated by a CVaR-satisficing measure, we apply a game theoretical framework to investigate how the target-based preference affects supply chain performance. Results: A firm, be it a supplier or a retailer, is always hurt by its target-based preference but can benefit from its trading partner’s target-based preference. A risk-neutral supplier, for example, can sometimes reap the whole supply chain’s profit if the retailer is target-oriented, and a target-oriented supplier always performs better with a target-oriented retailer than a risk-neutral one. Furthermore, a target-oriented retailer and/or supplier can help alleviate the double-marginalization effect and with a specific target, can help the supply chain achieve the same efficiency level as in a risk-neutral centralized system, with just a wholesale price contract. Another important finding is that if both firms are target-oriented, then the supply chain can have a higher expected profit under a decentralized system than a centralized one. This contrasts with the case when both firms are risk-neutral. We also investigate the role of outside option and retailer-type misidentification and find that both can alleviate the retailer’s disadvantage of being target-oriented. Managerial implications: (i) The target-based preference can be exploited by the trading partner, and hence, a firm should adopt the target-oriented decision criterion with caution. (ii) A target-oriented retailer can explore strategies such as revealing his outside option or hiding his target-based preference in order to be less manipulated. (iii) Whether a firm (and the supply chain) can benefit from its trading partner’s target-based preference often depends on how ambitious the trading partner (and the firm itself if it is target-oriented) sets the target. (iv) Target-based preference of one or both firms can help the supply chain reach the first-best efficiency. (v) When both firms are target-oriented, decentralization can be preferred to centralization.

Education Exchange Storage Protocol: Transformation Into Decentralized Learning Platform

The current micro-teaching process is readily online, and it is functional anywhere and anytime ubiquitously. All or most teaching and learning activities are accessible in centralized storage. However, centralized storage has inherent problems, such as a single point of failure with many possible data breaches, much duplication of data stored repeatedly in one location, and the lack of trust in third parties for data stored in centralized storage. Further issues include the high cost and low performance of the online systems that hinder the quality of the education process. In this paper, we propose a new framework Education Exchange Storage Protocol (EESP). EESP aims to improve the efficiency of the decentralized storage ecosystem in micro-teaching, coupled with blockchain technology acting as a control layer. Blockchain empowers the decentralized system by bringing together the most incompatible unstructured entities and integrate them. The decentralized storage system is armed with a blockchain smart contract that acts as a control layer, featuring impregnable security, immutability, trace-ability, and transparency. The EESP framework aims to elevate teaching and learning through blockchain decentralized storage systems in a transformational way, including but not limited to things like micro-credential, massive open online courses, and gamification, all in a single immersive learning platform. Finally, we tested and evaluated this framework using the truffle simulator, and the results demonstrate that the EESP model significantly improves performance.

The adoption of bitcoins technology: The difference between perceived future expectation and intention to use bitcoins: Does social influence matter?

Bitcoin is a decentralized system that tries to become a solution to the shortcomings of fiat and gold-based currencies. Considering its newness, the adoption level of bitcoin is yet understood. Hence, several variables are proposed in this work in examining user perceptions regarding performance expectancy, effort expectancy, trust, adoption risk, decentralization and social influence interplay, with the context of user’s future expectation and behavioral intentions to use bitcoins. Data were gathered from 293 completed questionnaire and analised using AMOS 18. The outcomes prove the sound predictability of the proposed model regarding user’s future expectations and intentions toward bitcoins. All hypotheses were supported, they were significantly affecting the dependent variables. Social influence was found as the highest predictor of behavioral intention to negatively utilize bitcoins. The significant impact of social influence, adoption risk and effort expectancy which affect behavioral intention to use bitcoins the most, are demonstrated in this study. Bitcoins should thus, present an effective, feasible and personalized program which will assist efficient usage among users. Additionally, the impacts of social influence, adoption risk and perceived trust on behavioral intention to utilize new technology were compared, and their direct path was tested together, for the first time in this context.

Ownership, Decentralization and Development in Papua New Guinea: Sub National Participation in Aid Effectiveness

<p><b>The debate on aid effectiveness and ineffectiveness continues to remain as a core issue for international development. The endorsement of the Paris Declaration on the principles of aid effectiveness in March 2005 by states and international agencies was a significant milestone in this regard. This declaration involved specific commitments for donors and partner countries and marked a paradigm shift for improving aid effectiveness. The overall aim was to improve the quality of aid and its impact on development and, in particular, recipient countries taking ownership of their development. The ownership principle has been echoed and reaffirmed in the subsequent series of high level forums on aid effectiveness.</b></p> <p>This thesis provides a critical examination of Papua New Guinea’s commitment to aid effectiveness. It examines and analyses aid and development effectiveness at the subnational levels of government. It finds that there is a substantial disjunction between national and subnational levels of government with regard to development ownership. This is demonstrated in current policies and practices, and it largely echoes studies elsewhere in the Pacific region on aid and development. However, in this wider literature, there is little evidence on important policy issues regarding leadership and effective aid and development coordination in a decentralized system of government, and this is where Papua New Guinea (PNG) offers some important new insights. This thesis argues that the subnational levels of government continue to remain isolated from the aid effectiveness discussion despite development ownership efforts and government objectives to practice ownership and leadership through all tiers of government.</p>