Service selection strategic analysis for selfoperated e-commerce platforms under settlement

In order to study whether e-commerce platforms carry out service cooperation after settlement in-depth, this paper focuses on service selection strategic analysis for agent channels on some self-operated e-commerce platforms settled in hybrid e-commerce platforms. We present multi-leader-follower models in two different scenarios with the platforms as leaders and the manufacturers as followers and give some numerical experiments to analyze the impacts of service selection strategies for self-operated platforms on all supply chain members. Our finding shows that if the service cost efficiency is moderate or low, the self-operated platform prefers to provide its service for the agent; otherwise, its selection mainly depends on the unit product service fee. In addition, fierce service competition and high unit service fee are unfavorable to all members, while high service cost efficiency may hurt both the platform and the manufacturer

Online selling mode choice and pricing in an O2O tourism supply chain considering corporate social responsibility

This paper considers an online-to-offline (O2O) tourism supply chain (TSC) consisting of an offline tourism service provider (TSP) and an online travel agency (OTA) who has a corporate social responsibility (CSR). We investigate three possible online selling modes: (1) the OTA purchases products from the TSP and sells them to end tourists (Mode R); (2) the OTA charges the TSP a profit-sharing rate (Mode M); (3) the TSP sells products through both the reselling and marketplace channels (Mode D). Based on these three modes, we establish three game-theoretic models to explore the optimal online selling mode and pricing decisions for the TSC and its members. Our analyses and results show that when Mode D is unavailable: if OTA's cost advantage is relatively low, the TSC members should set a moderate profit-sharing rate and choose Mode M; Conversely, Mode R is better for them under a moderate or not too high profit-sharing rate. When Mode D is also available: Mode M is always worse than Mode D, while Mode R may be better than Mode D under some conditions. Furthermore, we conduct numerical studies and sensitivity analyses, which demonstrate that in Mode D, the TSC should pay more attention to CSR and improve consumers' channel acceptance for the reselling channel to create more total utility

Platform opening and cooperation: a literature review and research agenda

Purpose – The review aims to facilitate a broader understanding of platform opening and cooperation and points out potential research directions for scholars. Design/methodology/approach – This study searches Web of Science (WOS) database for relevant literature published between 2010 and 2021 and selects 86 papers for this review. The selected literature is categorized according to three dimensions: the strategic choice of platform opening and cooperation (before opening), the construction of an open platform (during opening) and the impact of platform opening and cooperation (after opening). Through comparative analysis, the authors identify research gaps and propose four future research agendas. Findings – The study finds that the current studies are fragmented, and a research system with a theoretical foundation has not yet formed. In addition, with the development of platform operations, new topics such as platform ecosystems and open platform governance have emerged. In short, there is an urgent need for scholars to conduct exploratory research. To this end, the study proposes four future research agendas: strengthen basic research on platform opening and cooperation, deeply explore the dynamic evolution and cutting-edge models of platform opening and cooperation, analyze potential crises and impacts of platform openness and strengthen research on open platform governance. Originality/value – This is the first systematic review on platform opening and cooperation. Through categorizing literature into three dimensions, this article clearly shows the research status and provides future research avenues

A first-hand experience for a second-hand product : the success of online luxury resellers

The purpose of this research is to understand how luxury resellers successful create value-added propositions within the online context, posing a challenge to the exclusivity inherent to the luxury reality. We used a qualitative approach to analyse three online second-hand players and drew our conclusions on the Business Model Canvas. The findings of the present research show that the success of luxury online resellers is built on (1) a diversified, personalised and curated luxury assortment, (2) wider customer reach enabled by online, (3) trusted authentication processes, (4) powerful network effect, (5) proprietary technology and in-house skilled staff. These are assets difficult to replicate which raises barriers to entry and are further complemented with offline expansion and partnerships with luxury brands. This research is relevant for both incumbent companies and new entrants alike, as well as luxury companies to better understand the value of the second-hand luxury market.O objetivo da presente tese é compreender como os revendedores de luxo são bem-sucedidos a criar propostas de valor acrescentado no contexto online, colocando um desafio à exclusividade inerente à realidade do luxo. Utilizámos uma abordagem qualitativa para analisar três operadores de segunda mão online e chegámos às conclusões com base no modelo Business Model Canvas. Os resultados da presente pesquisa mostram que o sucesso dos revendedores de luxo online se baseia (1) numa oferta de produtos de luxo variada e personalizada, (2) maior alcance de clientes viabilizado pelo online, (3) processos de autenticação fidedignos, (4) poderoso efeito de rede, (5) tecnologia própria e equipa interna qualificada. Estes ativos são difíceis de reproduzir, o que levanta obstáculos à entrada de concorrentes, e são reforçados com a expansão offline, assim como parcerias com marcas de luxo. Esta pesquisa é relevante tanto para empresas estabelecidas como novas no mercado e também para empresas de luxo, de modo a se compreender melhor o valor do mercado de luxo em segunda mão

ESSAYS ON RETAIL ENTRY AND EXIT

The landscape of the retail industry has witnessed dramatic changes over the past decades. Both manufacturers and retailers are increasingly challenged to find innovative ways to reach and delight not only their existing customers, but also potential new customers. In this dissertation, I aim to pin down the entry effects of an innovative channel -- online marketplaces in Essay 1 and Essay 2, and the exit effects of a traditional channel – Walmart supercenter in Essay 3. In Essay 1 “The Value of Online Marketplaces to Brand Manufacturers in Emerging Markets”, I apply an event-study methodology to examine whether manufacturers’ decisions are justified by studying the net impact of adopting marketplaces on a firm’s stock market return. To further gain insight into to whom gains may arise, I use a contingency framework and relate manufacturers’ short-term abnormal returns to manufacturers’ market knowledge and marketing strengths. The findings provide comprehensive guidance for manufacturers, global or local, to assess whether and to what extent they can take advantage of online marketplaces to thrive in emerging economies. In Essay 2 “For Better or for Worse: The Halo Effects of Online Marketplaces on Entrenched Brick-and-Mortar Stores”, I evaluate the impact of online marketplaces on entrenched brick-and-mortar stores -- whether and to what extent retailers and all brands within the category stand to lose or win. To address this question, I use a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model to quantify the impact of online marketplaces. The study not only contributes theoretically to the scant literature on the interaction between online marketplaces and offline channels but also offers manufacturers insightful instructions on multichannel decisions. In Essay 3 “When Stores Leave: The Impact of Walmart Supercenter Closure on Retail Price”, I seek to understand how retail prices change following the exit of a local retailer by using Walmart supercenter closures in local U.S. markets as a working example. By using a difference-in-difference estimator with correction for selection bias, I find that, on average, consumers have to pay a higher price (+1.6%) after a Walmart supercenter’ exit. The study provides valuable insights into the potential impact of retail exit on price and consumer welfare.Doctor of Philosoph

Online, on call: : the spread of digitally-organised just-in-time working and its implications for standard employment models

This article questions whether the dominant policy discourse, in which a normative model of standard employment is counterposed to ‘non-standard’ or ‘atypical’ employment, enables us to capture the diversity of fluid labour markets in which work is dynamically reshaped in an interaction between different kinds of employment status and work organisation. Drawing on surveys in the UK, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands that investigate work managed via online platforms (‘crowdwork’) and associated practices, it demonstrates that crowdwork represents part of a continuum. Not only do most crowd workers combine work for online platforms with other forms of work or income generation, but also many of the ICT-related practices associated with crowdwork are widespread across the rest of the labour market where a growing number of workers are ‘logged’. Future research should not just focus on crowdworkers as a special case but on new patterns of work organisation in the regular workforce.Peer reviewe