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An E-Tailer’s Operational Strategy under Different Supply Chain Structures

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  • Shangyu Pi

    (School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

  • Yang Wang

    (School of Management, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China)

Abstract

Motivated by the enormous business success of E-tailers and their distinct business strategies, this paper analyzes the characteristics of dual online channel competition and the fundamental willingness of an E-tailer to open its marketplace to other retailers while at the same time competing with them. We build game theory models to study the dual-channel competition between an incumbent E-tailer and other online retailers under different supply chain structures. Either the manufacturer or authorized third-party retailers can start an online store in the E-tailer’s marketplace. The results show that the transaction fee charged by the platform and the service level provided to customers play significant roles in deciding the marketplace business strategy—the E-tailer faces complicated issues when these two factors fluctuate. A pure strategy of raising the transaction fee may not always be beneficial and a competitor’s superior service level may help to enhance a rival’s sales price. In the expanded research, dual online channel competition with an unauthorized third-party retailer, which is common in the online marketplace, is also examined.

Suggested Citation

  • Shangyu Pi & Yang Wang, 2020. "An E-Tailer’s Operational Strategy under Different Supply Chain Structures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:5:p:2141-:d:330789
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Sahani Rathnasiri & Pritee Ray & Carlos A. Vega-Mejía & Sardar M. N. Islam & Nripendra P. Rana & Yogesh K. Dwivedi, 2022. "Optimising small-scale electronic commerce supply chain operations: a dynamic cost-sharing contract approach," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 318(1), pages 453-499, November.

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