Pricing decisions of online and offline dual-channel supply chains considering data resource mining

Abstract

Data resources, a fundamental component in the digital economy, play a vital role for businesses aiming to establish a lasting competitive edge. A company's data resources can uniquely influence the decisions surrounding products and services within the supply chain. The integrated dual-channel supply chain (DCSC) involves direct online channels utilized by manufacturing service providers alongside offline channels, such as physical retail stores, managed by sales service integrators. The DCSC is capable of performing second-stage data mining services in accordance with the sold products and customer services after the product sales are completed. Subsequently, data resource mining can be achieved through a cross-channel approach. As such, considering the exploration of cross-channel data resources, this study strives to formulate a structure for a dual-channel closed-loop supply chain. Furthermore, utilizing concepts from the Stackelberg and Nash equilibrium game theories, it delves into the analysis of pricing decisions and profit allocation. This examination encompasses distinct closed-loop supply chain configurations, viewed through the lenses of both centralized and decentralized decision-making approaches. In addition, the effects of cross-channel data mining and channel consumption preferences on supply chain decisions are analyzed, and the analysis is conducted in combination with numerical examples. As evidenced by the findings in this investigation, cross-channel data resource mining, consumer channel preference, and the data mining value conversion rate can prominently affect the formulation of pricing strategies and the distribution of profits in closed-loop supply chains. The potential value of data resources can lead to the generation of “external incentives” following the strategy of data resource mining. Furthermore, the data resource mining strategy is promising in stimulating the growth of the product and service markets. Finally, the overall profit of the supply chain is increased with the increase in the efficiency of data resource conversion. Enhancements in the efficacy of data resource conversion correspondingly lead to heightened overall profits within the supply chain.