【论文信息】

Tang F,Yang X R, Xie S L, Chen W, Feng M Y. Who should introduce smart products in platform supply chains: manufacturer or platform? [J]. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 2026, DOI: 10.1108/IMDS-01-2026-0026.(SCI, JCR Q1, 2025中科院3区, 2026新锐2区).

【作者信息】

第一作者：唐 飞，博士、副教授、硕士生导师，研究方向：物流与供应链管理；

第二作者：杨新如，2024级企业管理硕士研究生，研究方向：物流与供应链管理。

【基金支持】

National Natural Science Foundation of China (award number: 72471040), Humanities & Social Science Research Project of the Chinese Ministry of Education (award number: 23YJA630024), Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing (award numbers: CSTB2024NSCQMSX0404 and CSTB2024NSCQ-MSX1137), and Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Municipal Education Commission (award number: KJZD-K202501603)

【论文摘要】

Purpose– Motivated by the observed real-world practices that either manufacturers or platforms are actively introducing smart products (SPs), this paper investigates a practically important question in platform-based supply chains: whether SPs should be introduced by manufacturers or by platforms?

Design/methodology/approach– We develop a Stackelberg game framework to investigate three potential strategies for introducing SPs (i.e. no SPs, SPs are introduced by the manufacturer and SPs are introduced by theplatform) within a platform-based supply chain consisting of one manufacturer and one platform. Theequilibrium decisions and profit outcomes under the three supply chain models are analytically derived andsystematically compared.

Findings– Either the manufacturer or the platform may possess a cost advantage in introducing SPs. Regardless of the introducer, the platform always benefits from the introduction of SPs. In contrast, when SPs are introduced by the platform, the manufacturer may be worse off. As a result, a strategic conflict may arise, since both the manufacturer and the platform achieve higher profits when they introduce SPs themselves. Interestingly, we identify conditions under which the platform optimally acts as a free rider by allowing the manufacturer tointroduce SPs, thereby eliminating the conflict.

Originality/value– Departing from the products innovation literature and traditional store-brand encroachment literature that focuses on manufacturers’ traditional products (TPs) innovation or retailers/platforms’ TPs encroachment, this study develops an analytical framework to compare alternative introduction strategies for SPs in platform supply chains. The analysis identifies the conditions under which manufacturers or platforms optimally introduce SPs, clarifies how consumer valuation would affect pricing decisions, demand allocation and welfare outcomes and provides managerial implications for firms operating in digitally enabled markets.