IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/transe/v145y2021ics1366554520307699.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Should multinational firms implement blockchain to provide quality verification?

Author

Listed:
  • Niu, Baozhuang
  • Mu, Zihao
  • Cao, Bin
  • Gao, Jie

Abstract

The e-tailers selling global brands’ products on cross-border e-commerce platforms have been suffering from low-quality image. To solve this problem, some platforms (e.g., eBay, Lazada, and Tmall Global) have utilized blockchain for quality verification that creates customers’ trust and guarantees the products’ quality. It is widely acknowledged that the operations of blockchain require all supply chain parties’ participation. Therefore, whether the owners of the global brands have incentives to verify the quality and origin of the goods via blockchain can be critical, especially when the brand-owners are multinational firms (MNFs) owning retail divisions in the same market. In this paper, we study a co-opetitive supply chain consisting of an MNF located in high tax country/region and an e-tailer sourcing from the MNF and reselling the goods. The e-tailer competes with the MNF’s retail division in a low-tax country/region. We find that, blockchain is a double-edged sword for the MNF. It increases the MNF’s wholesaling profit, but reduces the MNF’s retailing profit and tax-planning benefit. Consequently, the MNF will not participate in blockchain if the tax disparity is large and the downstream competition is fierce.

Suggested Citation

  • Niu, Baozhuang & Mu, Zihao & Cao, Bin & Gao, Jie, 2021. "Should multinational firms implement blockchain to provide quality verification?," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:145:y:2021:i:c:s1366554520307699
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2020.102121
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1366554520307699
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tre.2020.102121?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Baozhuang Niu & Yaoqi Liu & Feng Liu & Carman K.M. Lee, 2019. "Transfer pricing and channel structure of a multinational firm under overseas retail disruption risk," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(9), pages 2901-2925, May.
    2. Masha Shunko & Hung T. Do & Andy A. Tsay, 2017. "Supply Chain Strategies and International Tax Arbitrage," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 26(2), pages 231-251, February.
    3. Jiho Yoon & Srinivas Talluri & Hakan Yildiz & Chwen Sheu, 2020. "The value of Blockchain technology implementation in international trades under demand volatility risk," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 2163-2183, April.
    4. Suwelack, Thomas & Hogreve, Jens & Hoyer, Wayne D., 2011. "Understanding Money-Back Guarantees: Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Outcomes," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 87(4), pages 462-478.
    5. Montecchi, Matteo & Plangger, Kirk & Etter, Michael, 2019. "It’s real, trust me! Establishing supply chain provenance using blockchain," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 283-293.
    6. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Feng, Lipan & Li, Rong, 2020. "Information disclosure structure in supply chains with rental service platforms in the blockchain technology era," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    7. Wang, Yingjia & Lin, Jiaxin & Choi, Tsan-Ming, 2020. "Gray market and counterfeiting in supply chains: A review of the operations literature and implications to luxury industries," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    8. Wang, Yingli & Singgih, Meita & Wang, Jingyao & Rit, Mihaela, 2019. "Making sense of blockchain technology: How will it transform supply chains?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 221-236.
    9. ., 2019. "Public policy in a blockchain era," Chapters, in: Understanding the Blockchain Economy, chapter 8, pages 138-151, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    10. Vernon N. Hsu & Kaijie Zhu, 2011. "Tax-Effective Supply Chain Decisions Under China's Export-Oriented Tax Policies," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 13(2), pages 163-179, November.
    11. Ferreira, Daniel & Li, Jin & Nikolowa, Radoslawa, 2019. "Corporate Capture of Blockchain Governance," CEPR Discussion Papers 13493, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    12. Volodymyr Babich & Gilles Hilary, 2020. "OM Forum—Distributed Ledgers and Operations: What Operations Management Researchers Should Know About Blockchain Technology," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 22(2), pages 223-245, March.
    13. Woonghee Tim Huh & Kun Soo Park, 2013. "Impact of transfer pricing methods for tax purposes on supply chain performance under demand uncertainty," Naval Research Logistics (NRL), John Wiley & Sons, vol. 60(4), pages 269-293, June.
    14. Tava Lennon Olsen & Brian Tomlin, 2020. "Industry 4.0: Opportunities and Challenges for Operations Management," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 22(1), pages 113-122, January.
    15. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Guo, Shu & Liu, Na & Shi, Xiutian, 2020. "Optimal pricing in on-demand-service-platform-operations with hired agents and risk-sensitive customers in the blockchain era," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 284(3), pages 1031-1042.
    16. Gabriella M. Hastig & ManMohan S. Sodhi, 2020. "Blockchain for Supply Chain Traceability: Business Requirements and Critical Success Factors," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 29(4), pages 935-954, April.
    17. Subramanian Balachander, 2001. "Warranty Signalling and Reputation," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 47(9), pages 1282-1289, September.
    18. Vernon N. Hsu & Wenqiang Xiao & Jiayan Xu, 2019. "The Impact of Tax and Transfer Pricing on a Multinational Firm's Strategic Decision of Selling to a Rival," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 28(9), pages 2279-2290, September.
    19. Minakshi Trivedi, 1998. "Distribution Channels: An Extension of Exclusive Retailership," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(7), pages 896-909, July.
    20. Lin William Cong & Zhiguo He, 2019. "Blockchain Disruption and Smart Contracts," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 32(5), pages 1754-1797.
    21. Soo-Haeng Cho & Xin Fang & Sridhar Tayur, 2015. "Combating Strategic Counterfeiters in Licit and Illicit Supply Chains," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 273-289, July.
    22. Choi, Tsan-Ming, 2019. "Blockchain-technology-supported platforms for diamond authentication and certification in luxury supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 17-29.
    23. Jiri Chod & Nikolaos Trichakis & Gerry Tsoukalas & Henry Aspegren & Mark Weber, 2020. "On the Financing Benefits of Supply Chain Transparency and Blockchain Adoption," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 66(10), pages 4378-4396, October.
    24. Mingming Leng & Zaichen Li & Liping Liang, 2016. "Implications for the Role of Retailers in Quality Assurance," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 25(5), pages 779-790, May.
    25. Michael Spence, 1977. "Consumer Misperceptions, Product Failure and Producer Liability," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 44(3), pages 561-572.
    26. Kim, Bosung & Park, Kun Soo & Jung, Se-Youn & Park, Sang Hun, 2018. "Offshoring and outsourcing in a global supply chain: Impact of the arm’s length regulation on transfer pricing," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 266(1), pages 88-98.
    27. Huang, Hongfu & He, Yong & Chen, Jing, 2019. "Competitive strategies and quality to counter parallel importation in global market," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 173-197.
    28. Masha Shunko & Laurens Debo & Srinagesh Gavirneni, 2014. "Transfer Pricing and Sourcing Strategies for Multinational Firms," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 23(12), pages 2043-2057, December.
    29. Li Chen & Bin Hu, 2017. "Is Reshoring Better Than Offshoring? The Effect of Offshore Supply Dependence," Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, INFORMS, vol. 19(2), pages 166-184, May.
    30. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Guo, Shu & Luo, Suyuan, 2020. "When blockchain meets social-media: Will the result benefit social media analytics for supply chain operations management?," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    31. Niu, Baozhuang & Xu, Jingwen & Lee, Carman K.M. & Chen, Lei, 2019. "Order timing and tax planning when selling to a rival in a low-tax emerging market," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 165-179.
    32. Vernon N. Hsu & Guoming Lai & Guitian Liang, 2019. "Agricultural Partnership for Dairy Farming," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 28(12), pages 3042-3059, December.
    33. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Luo, Suyuan, 2019. "Data quality challenges for sustainable fashion supply chain operations in emerging markets: Roles of blockchain, government sponsors and environment taxes," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 139-152.
    34. Xiaole Wu & Fuqiang Zhang, 2014. "Home or Overseas? An Analysis of Sourcing Strategies Under Competition," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 60(5), pages 1223-1240, May.
    35. Tang, Christopher S. & Veelenturf, Lucas P., 2019. "The strategic role of logistics in the industry 4.0 era," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 1-11.
    36. C. Gizem Korpeoglu & Ersin Körpeoğlu & Soo-Haeng Cho, 2020. "Supply Chain Competition: A Market Game Approach," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 66(12), pages 5648-5664, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dutta, Pankaj & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Somani, Surabhi & Butala, Richa, 2020. "Blockchain technology in supply chain operations: Applications, challenges and research opportunities," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    2. Zhang, Tianyu & Dong, Peiwu & Chen, Xiangfeng & Gong, Yu, 2023. "The impacts of blockchain adoption on a dual-channel supply chain with risk-averse members," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 114(C).
    3. Niu, Baozhuang & Li, Qiyang & Liu, Yaoqi, 2020. "Conflict management in a multinational firm's production shifting decisions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 230(C).
    4. Niu, Baozhuang & Dong, Jian & Liu, Yaoqi, 2021. "Incentive alignment for blockchain adoption in medicine supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    5. Choi, Tsan-Ming & Siqin, Tana, 2022. "Blockchain in logistics and production from Blockchain 1.0 to Blockchain 5.0: An intra-inter-organizational framework," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    6. Chen, Lei & Huang, Qiuyu & Xu, Jingwen, 2024. "On the “prisoner’s dilemma” of order timing in a cross-border and co-opetitive supply chain," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    7. Niu, Baozhuang & Chen, Lingyun & Wang, Jingmai, 2022. "Ad valorem tariff vs. specific tariff: Quality-differentiated e-tailers’ profitability and social welfare in cross-border e-commerce," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    8. Liu, Shuai & Hua, Guowei & Kang, Yuxuan & Edwin Cheng, T.C. & Xu, Yadong, 2022. "What value does blockchain bring to the imported fresh food supply chain?," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    9. Tiwari, Sunil & Sharma, Pankaj & Choi, Tsan-Ming & Lim, Andrew, 2023. "Blockchain and third-party logistics for global supply chain operations: Stakeholders’ perspectives and decision roadmap," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    10. Kumar, Sourabh & Barua, Mukesh Kumar, 2023. "Exploring the hyperledger blockchain technology disruption and barriers of blockchain adoption in petroleum supply chain," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    11. Huang, Hongfu & He, Yong & Li, Dong & Li, Shanshan, 2023. "Competing multinationals’ backshoring decisions: Tax arbitrage versus production reliability tradeoff," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 311(2), pages 515-532.
    12. Deng, Sijing & Xu, Jiayan & Han, Yonghui, 2023. "A proprietary component manufacturer’s global supply chain design: The impacts of tax and organizational structure," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    13. Li, Feng & Du, Timon C. & Wei, Ying, 2021. "With whom should I work? Ratings consideration for partner selection in a P2P supply chain network," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    14. Hubert Pun & Jayashankar M. Swaminathan & Pengwen Hou, 2021. "Blockchain Adoption for Combating Deceptive Counterfeits," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(4), pages 864-882, April.
    15. Biswas, Debajyoti & Jalali, Hamed & Ansaripoor, Amir H. & De Giovanni, Pietro, 2023. "Traceability vs. sustainability in supply chains: The implications of blockchain," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 305(1), pages 128-147.
    16. Shi, Xiutian & Tang, Jianxi & Dong, Ciwei, 2022. "Should a domestic firm carve out a niche in overseas markets? Value of purchasing agents," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(1), pages 85-94.
    17. Cao, Yu & Yi, Chaoqun & Wan, Guangyu & Hu, Hanli & Li, Qingsong & Wang, Shouyang, 2022. "An analysis on the role of blockchain-based platforms in agricultural supply chains," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    18. Klöckner, Maximilian & Schmidt, Christoph G. & Fink, Alexander & Flückiger, Leonie & Wagner, Stephan M., 2023. "Exploring the physical–digital interface in blockchain applications: Insights from the luxury watch industry," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    19. Niu, Baozhuang & Shen, Zifan & Xie, Fengfeng & Liu, Yaoqi & Xu, Xin, 2022. "Real-time payment in cross-border operations considering local competition and tax-planning," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    20. Zhou, Yu & Gao, Xiang & Luo, Suyuan & Xiong, Yu & Ye, Niangyue, 2022. "Anti-Counterfeiting in a retail Platform: A Game-Theoretic approach," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:145:y:2021:i:c:s1366554520307699. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600244/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.