A Multipath Payment Scheme Supporting Proof of Payment

Blockchain technology has always been plagued by performance problems. Given this problem, many scaling schemes have been put forward. A layer 2 network is a technology that solves the performance problem of blockchain. Connected parties in this network can set up channels to send digital currency to each other. Since the interaction with the blockchain is only required when the channel is established and closed, a large number of transactions do not need to be recorded on the blockchain, thus reducing the blockchain capacity. Due to the special structure of the payment channel, the distribution of funds in the channel is often unbalanced, which limits the route payment to a certain extent. This paper improves the original payment method in the second layer network by introducing new scripts. The new payment scheme supports proof of payment which is integral to the nature of the lightning network and divides the payment into several subpayments, so the large payment can be divided into relatively small payments. Due to the capacity limitation of the payment channel, theoretically, the success rate of the micropayment route is higher. This paper tests the new payment scheme on the simulated network and validates the nature of this solution to have a high routing success rate while supporting proof of payment.

Impact of Price-Sensitive Demand and Premium Payment Scheme on Bullwhip Effect

Bullwhip effect reduces the efficiency, responsiveness, and value of the supply chain. There are some indirect causes like lead time, the number of echelons, and some direct causes of bullwhip effect such as rationing or price variation. Due to capacity constraints, retailers are forced to experience rationing of their demands. Fear of rationing usually gives rise to manipulable demand and hence increases the bullwhip effect. Moreover, if the retailer’s demand is price sensitive then it will cause price variation. The offerings of premium payment by retailers due to unfulfilled demand lure the supplier to extend his existing capacity and to allocate them more supply. In this paper, an attempt has been made to mitigate the impact of the bullwhip effect using a premium payment scheme. A technique has been coined that will help in reducing the bullwhip effect. The increased value of the supply chain on using a premium payment scheme is proof of the reduction of the bullwhip effect. Results are validated through numerical analysis.

Impact of Price Sensitive Demand and Premium Payment Scheme on Bullwhip Effect

Bullwhip effect reduces the efficiency, responsiveness, and value of the supply chain. There are some indirect causes like lead time, the number of echelons, and some direct causes of bullwhip effect such as rationing or price variation. Due to capacity constraints, retailers are forced to experience rationing of their demands. Fear of rationing usually gives rise to manipulable demand and hence increases the bullwhip effect. Moreover, if the retailer’s demand is price sensitive then it will cause price variation. The offerings of premium payment by retailers due to unfulfilled demand lure the supplier to extend his existing capacity and to allocate them more supply. In this paper, an attempt has been made to mitigate the impact of the bullwhip effect using a premium payment scheme. A technique has been coined that will help in reducing the bullwhip effect. The increased value of the supply chain on using a premium payment scheme is proof of the reduction of the bullwhip effect. Results are validated through numerical analysis.

Health professionals’ views of the first national GP payment scheme for structured type 2 diabetes care in Ireland: a qualitative study

Background: Payment schemes are widely used to improve chronic disease management in general practice. Although stakeholder views of such schemes could provide valuable learning regarding aspects that work and those which are more difficult to implement, there is a paucity of such data. We explored health professionals’ views of the implementation of the first national general practice payment scheme for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) care in Ireland, the ‘cycle of care’. Methods: Qualitative data were drawn from a multiple case study evaluating the implementation of a National Clinical Programme for Diabetes, collected from April 2016 to June 2017. Interview and focus group transcripts from participants involved in providing diabetes management in general practice and who referenced the cycle of care were eligible for inclusion in the current analysis. Data were analysed using reflective thematic analysis. Results: We analysed data from 28 participants comprising general practitioners (GPs) (n=8), practice nurses (n=9) and diabetes nurse specialists (DNS) (n=11). Participants perceived the cycle of care as “not adequate, but…a good start” to improve T2DM care in general practice in Ireland. Perceived benefits were greater financial viability for T2DM management in general practice, fostering a more proactive approach to T2DM care, delivery of T2DM care closer to patients’ homes, and increased use of other community diabetes services e.g., DNS and podiatry. Participants identified the limited resource for practice nurse time, inflexibility to provide care based on patient need and issues with data submission as drawbacks of the cycle of care. Conclusions: The cycle of care was viewed as a positive first step to increase and improve T2DM care delivered in general practice in Ireland. The implementation issues identified in this study should be considered in the design of future payment schemes targeting chronic disease management in general practice.

Payment scheme for environmental services as a management strategy to regulate artisanal fishing in the Integrated Management District Cispata, Colombia

Marine and coastal ecosystems are characterized as highly productive areas in terms of the benefits they provide to humanity, with food provision being one of the most important. In 2018, in the Cispata Integrated Management District (DMI Cispata), due to the decrease in fishing resources, artisanal fishermen signed agreements for the recovery of the resource; however, they have not been implemented for various reasons. This study shows the viability of a Payment Scheme for Environmental Services as an alternative to induce compliance with fishing agreements. The analysis developed here indicates that the DMI Cispata fulfills the necessary conditions to implement this economic instrument benefiting 20 fishing organizations in the area.