A Joint Distribution Pricing Model of Express Enterprises Based on Dynamic Game Theory

Abstract

With the development of sharing economy, a joint distribution mode has been increasingly adopted as the preferred cooperation mode of third-party logistics enterprises to achieve the efficient, resource-saving, and profit-optimal business goals of enterprises. In the joint distribution mode, the distribution price is one of key factors that influences the operation of the joint distribution. Thus, to acquire the optimal pricing for the logistics enterprises, we establish a pricing model based on dynamic game theory for a joint distribution system including one joint distribution company and two express enterprises. In the proposed model, two dimensions of games exist simultaneously, including the game between express competitors and the game between express and distribution enterprises. The multidimensional game leads to more complex system characteristics. Through the stability analysis, we find the Nash equilibrium point and its stability conditions. Numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the complex dynamical behaviors of the game model, such as the system stability region, the bifurcation diagram, the largest Lyapunov exponent, strange attractors, etc. The simulation results indicate that different price adjustment speeds and ranges have a significant impact on the system stability and the profits of all participants in the game. The parameter adjustment control can well dominate the chaotic behaviors of the system. Enterprises should make pricing decisions based on their market positions to promote the continuous and stable development of the operation mode of the multi-agent joint sharing distribution center.

A Hybrid Adaptive Simulated Annealing and Tempering Algorithm for Solving the Half-Open Multi-Depot Vehicle Routing Problem

“…Equation (1) indicates that the objective of HOMDVRP is to minimize the total travel distance of the vehicles. Equations ( 2) and ( 3) indicate that each customer c can only be served once by one vehicle k. Equation ( 4) means that once a vehicle k is dispatched, it needs to depart from the current depot and can return to any depot after visiting the customer c, where starting depot i is not necessarily the same as ending depot j.…”

“…In order to cope with fierce market competition and meet the diverse needs of customers for logistics services, logistics companies need to deploy multiple logistics distribution centers. Taking express logistics as an example, as of June 2023, China's express business volume has exceeded 59.5 billion pieces and massive infrastructures such as distribution centers, transfer stations, and forward warehouses have been built to meet express turnover [1]. Driven by the sharing economy and sustainable development strategy, in order to fully utilize the cluster benefits of existing logistics resources, collaborative logistics based on horizontal cooperation or sharing logistics resources among different enterprises has received wide attention [2].…”