Digital Technology Innovation Strategies From the Perspective of Manufacturer–Logistics Provider Integration for Carbon Emission Reduction
本文构建博弈论模型，研究制造商与物流提供商在碳减排目标下如何整合数字技术创新，发现最优策略取决于双方能力，并探讨了碳交易机制的影响。
This paper develops a game theory model of digital technology innovation (DTI) within a two-tier supply chain involving manufacturers and logistics providers, with a shared goal of carbon emission reduction. The model examines how manufacturers and logistics providers can adopt integrated innovation to enhance both carbon reduction and DTI performance while maximizing mutual benefits. The analysis yields three key findings: First, DTI does not always lead to carbon reduction within the supply chain through the integration of manufacturers and logistics providers. Instead, optimal integration strategies and responsibility allocation models should be contingent on the capabilities of manufacturers and logistics providers. Second, when logistics providers have significantly superior capabilities, they should assume full responsibility for both carbon reduction and DTI services. Conversely, when manufacturers have significantly superior capabilities, they should lead carbon reduction efforts while the logistics provider focuses on DTI. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate the robustness of the results with respect to different profit coefficients and cost-sharing ratios. Third, we extend the model to consider the carbon trading mechanism and external DTI effects on market demand and show that the findings are robust when these additional mechanisms and levers are introduced. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Managerial relevance statement</i> - First, the paper offers managerial guidance by introducing three Integrated Innovation between Logistics Provider and Manufacturer (II-LM) models that are adaptable to diverse industrial scenarios. Engineering managers should tailor their DTI strategies to the specific conditions of their enterprises. By adopting the II-LM strategies, they can enhance collaboration and achieve both carbon reduction and DTI engineering objectives. Second, the “double benefit” effect of carbon trading can encourage policymakers to accelerate the development of carbon trading policies and market mechanisms. Finally, for United Nation's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this paper contributes to SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13.