Assessment of supplier performance based on product-development strategy by applying multi-granularity linguistic term sets

Measuring supplier performance possesses the properties of multi-dimension and multi-scale, it increases the complexity of the aggregation and assessment process. A focal company must develop an effective procedure for overcoming the complexity of performance measurement. Furthermore, the assessment of supplier performance must conform to the product-developed strategy of the focal company. This study is a further research deeper into the concept already introduced in Chang et al. [1] [Applying fuzzy linguistic quantifier to select supply chain partners at different phases of product life cycle. International Journal of Production Economics 2006; 100(2):348–59]; using multi-granularity linguistic variable and numerical ration scale to represent the overall supply performance. By unifying the derived information, the measurement complexity could be resolved. The fuzzy preference was constructed to adjust the consistent direction and transform information into fuzzy relationship. Finally, fuzzy linguistic quantifier guided ordered weighted aggregation (FLQG-OWA) operator with maximal entropy was computed and aggregated with all indicators to meet the current policy of the focal company.     

基于WSR方法论的商业银行产品创新模型

产品创新是商业银行金融创新的核心内容,也是提升自身核心竞争力的主要途径。本文基于物理-事理-人理系统方法论(WSR方法论)构建了商业银行产品创新的WSR三维分析模型,在此基础上,重点研究了物理、事理、人理三者有机协调的商业银行产品创新的一般过程模型,并以Z银行小企业金融产品创新为例加以说明,以期为商业银行产品创新提供系统分析框架和决策参考。     

Price Incentives and Coordination in a Two‐Product Decentralized Supply Chain

We investigate pricing incentives for competing retailers who distribute two variants of a manufacturer's product in a decentralized supply chain. Under a two‐dimensional Hotelling model, we derive decentralized retailers' prices for the products, and distortions in pricing when compared to centrally optimal prices. We show that price distortions decrease as consumers' travel cost between retailers increases, due to less intense competition. However, price distortions do not change monotonically in consumers' switching cost between products within stores. To fix decentralized retailers' price distortions, we construct a two‐part pricing contract that coordinates the supply chain. We show that the coordinating contract is Pareto‐improving and analyze increase in the supply chain profit under coordination.     

消费者持续满意度研究——基于快乐适应视角

从动态视角研究消费者满意是营销学研究的前沿问题.本文从快乐适应角度考察消费者如何在消费决策过程中获得持续的满意.问卷调查研究发现,尽管不同产品的满意度会随时间的延续下降,但剔除价格变动因素后,由于互动性产品给消费者带来的快乐更不易适应,满意度并未随时间发生明显改变;情感性产品给消费者带来满意容易适应,满意度随时间的推移明显下降;实用性产品并未给消费者带来明显的情感刺激,因此,消费者对这类产品的满意度相对比较稳定.根据快乐适应理论,商品的互动性带来的消费的不易适应性是影响持续满意度的主要因素.本研究的结论为消费者、厂商、政府部门在购买商品、生产产品和制定政策等方面提供建议.     

论产品致害案件中销售者的责任

世界上多数国家均不要求销售者承担产品责任。美国尽管对销售者产品责任持肯定态度,但施加了许多限制。我国目前似乎是不加限制地要求销售者承担产品责任。中国特色销售者无过错产品责任的正当性有待进一步探讨。《侵权责任法》错过了构建合理销售者责任的机会,期待《实施细则》有所作为。     

Pricing decisions in a multi-criteria setting for product recovery facilities

Unpredictability in the arrival time and quantity of discarded products at product recovery facilities (PRFs) and varying demand for recovered components contribute to the volatility in their inventory levels. Achieving profit under such capricious inventory levels and stringent environmental legislations remains a challenge to many PRFs. This paper presents a multi-criteria decision model to determine a pricing policy that can simultaneously address two issues: stabilize inventory fluctuations and boost profits. The model considers that PRFs passively accepts discarded products as well as acquires them proactively if necessary. Under a multi-criteria setting, the current work determines prices of reusable and recyclable components to maximize revenue and minimize product recovery costs. A genetic algorithm is employed to solve the multi-criteria decision making problem. Sensitivity analysis is performed to investigate the effect of sorting yield, disassembly yield, and reusable component yield on the profits, prices, inventory levels, and disposal quantities.     

Supply chain configuration for diffusion of new products: An integrated optimization approach

We develop an integrated/hybrid optimization model for configuring new products’ supply chains while explicitly considering the impact of demand dynamics during new products’ diffusion. The hybrid model simultaneously determines optimal production/sales plan and supply chain configuration. The production and sales plan provides decisions on the optimal timing to launch a new product, as well as the production and sales quantity in each planning period. The supply chain configuration provides optimal selection of options and safety stock level kept at each supply chain function. Extensive computational experiments on randomly generated testbed problems indicate that the hybrid modeling and solution approach significantly outperforms non-hybrid alternative modeling and solution approaches under various diffusion and supply chain topologies. We provide insights on optimal production/sales plan and supply chain configuration for new products during their diffusion process. Also, managerial implications relevant to effectiveness of the hybrid approach are discussed.     

Impact of product proliferation on the reverse supply chain

Product variety is one of the most important advantages in highly competitive markets. However, excessive product proliferation's reducing the profit margin has caused increased focus on developing a management method for maximal profit. In a closed-loop supply chain, product proliferation affects the reverse supply chain as well as the forward supply chain. Although increasing the number of product types can better satisfy diverse customer needs, complexity in the product recycling, remanufacturing, and resale processes may erode a firm's overall profits. In this study, we develop a mathematical model for analyzing a capacitated reverse supply chain consisting of a single manufacturer and multiple retailers. We reveal closed-form solutions for the optimal batch size and maximal profit, and discuss managerial insights into how the number of products and other factors can affect both batch size and profit. Finally, we investigate the relationship between product proliferation and the choice of logistics strategy.     

Capacity Investment and Product Line Decisions of a Multiproduct Leader and a Focus Strategy Entrant

In this article, I investigate the capacity investment cost conditions where a multiproduct market leader may respond to a focus strategy entrant by using different strategies such as changing the product mix, production volumes, quality levels, and/or by investing in more capacity. The products offered in the market are quality differentiated and customers are heterogeneous in their willingness to pay for quality. The capacity investment costs of the two firms (i.e., the leader and the entrant) may also be different. The classical Stackelberg model predicts that an incumbent does not change its position in response to entry. However, when heterogeneous customer base, product differentiation, and capacity costs are taken into consideration, I find that the leader with a low capacity cost may choose to expand its product line and increase its production. The leader with low capacity cost may introduce a product that it was holding back when the entrant has to bear the high‐capacity cost and cannibalization threat is relatively small. Nevertheless, the extent of production volume strategies reduces as the capacity cost increases for the leader. I also find that when the leader has the power to set the industry standards by deciding the quality levels, as a response to a high‐quality focused entrant, the leader increases both levels of quality and production of the low‐quality product. Moreover, when the capacity investment cost is high for both the entrant and the leader, I find that market prices may increase with entry.     

The Competitive Impact of Targeted Television Advertisements Using DVR Technology

Digital video recorders (DVRs) are an emerging technology that is fundamentally changing the competitive landscape in industries that advertise on television. Perhaps the most familiar impact of DVR technology is that it enables consumers to avoid advertisements (ads) by fast forwarding through them. However, this “zipping” of ads is only one aspect of the impact of DVR technology. DVRs also collect a wealth of information at the consumer level that can be used by firms to target their ads more effectively. We examine how this targeting capability moderates the impact of ad avoidance in a competitive setting. Insights are provided on how best to manage this emerging technology in terms of the key managerial decisions of product pricing and advertising efforts, as well as its impact on profits in a competitive (duopoly) marketplace.