Optimal mode selection strategy for blockchain-enabled remanufacturing trading platform operations: competition vs. cooperation
研究了再制造交易平台在竞争与合作两种模式下，是否采用区块链技术披露产品质量信息的最优策略，发现质量方差大且区块链成本适中时平台不应采用区块链，而成本低且环境影响小时两种模式均环保。
Remanufacturers are confronted with the dilemma of opting between competition mode (independent sales) and cooperation mode (brand manufacturer channel sales). While the quality of remanufactured products is not inferior to new ones, consumers still remain risk-averse and exhibit skepticism regarding their quality. Blockchain technology, as a new generation of information technology, provides an ideal solution for disclosing quality information about remanufactured products. Along this line, we develop four game models grounded in mean-variance theory, considering both mode selection between remanufacturers and manufacturers and the platform's strategies for adopting blockchain technology. This study reveals that when the quality variance is large and blockchain costs are moderate, it is wiser for the platform not to adopt blockchain. When blockchain costs are low and the environmental impact of remanufactured products is small, both modes are environmentally friendly by adopting blockchain technology. However, when patent license fees are low, the cooperation mode significantly outperforms the competition mode. Furthermore, the impact of consumer search efforts and blockchain on consumer privacy is considered in the extended model, further verifying the robustness of the conclusions. This study offers valuable insights into exploring the optimal mode of product quality information disclosure using emerging technologies in remanufacturing trading platforms.