Supply chain coordination in quality improvement with reference effects
构建了考虑参考质量和参考价格影响的动态模型，研究单一供应商和单一制造商组成的供应链系统，通过微分博弈分析补贴计划和垂直整合两种场景下的均衡质量水平，并提出基于质量改进努力的总成本分摊合同。
With increasing public attention on product quality, supply chain quality management has been the focus of considerable research attention in recent years. However, only a few published articles have considered reference effects in supply chain quality management. In practice, reference effects influence consumer purchasing behaviours. Therefore, we have developed a dynamic model that incorporates the effects of the reference quality and reference price on the demand function of a ‘single-supplier single-manufacturer’ supply chain system. In our model, the demand function is assumed to be influenced by the reference price and reference quality. The reference price formation is assumed to be affected by the gap between quality and the reference quality. By utilizing differential game theory, we calculate and compare the open-loop equilibrium quality levels in two different scenarios: (i) Each channel member makes decisions within a subsidy programme and (ii) the supplier vertically integrates with the manufacturer. In addition, a total cost-sharing contract based on quality improvement efforts is proposed and proven to be effective in the supply chain system that is under consideration.