Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferences

In the competitive landscape of supply chains, the strategic configuration of manufacturers and retailers has a significant impact on overall performance. This study analyzes three competitive structures in supply chain systems: centralized (CC), decentralized (DD), and hybrid (CD). This study optim...

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Main Authors: Xiaojing Liu, Wenyi Du, Toba Olasehinde, Yubing Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Sustainable Futures
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824002594
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author Xiaojing Liu
Wenyi Du
Toba Olasehinde
Yubing Fan
author_facet Xiaojing Liu
Wenyi Du
Toba Olasehinde
Yubing Fan
author_sort Xiaojing Liu
collection DOAJ
description In the competitive landscape of supply chains, the strategic configuration of manufacturers and retailers has a significant impact on overall performance. This study analyzes three competitive structures in supply chain systems: centralized (CC), decentralized (DD), and hybrid (CD). This study optimizes retail prices and reduces carbon emissions by considering consumer preferences for low-carbon products. In the first supply chain, intense competition leads retailers to adopt a hybrid structure (CD), even when consumers prioritize low-carbon products. Manufacturers similarly opt for a hybrid model to balance production costs and carbon emissions. In the second supply chain, retailers prefer decentralization (DD) when consumer preference for low-carbon products is minimal. However, high consumer preference for low-carbon products results in the adoption of a hybrid structure to enhance overall production efficiency. As consumer low-carbon preferences increase, manufacturers shift from a centralized structure (CC) to a hybrid structure (CD) and eventually revert to a centralized structure. Our findings suggest that aligning supply chain structures with consumer preferences and competitive dynamics is crucial for achieving sustainable and profit-maximizing outcomes. The hybrid model is identified as a practical approach that balances economic efficiency with environmental sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-8d6a60699ca14ec49e4202e06f92cae62025-08-20T02:06:43ZengElsevierSustainable Futures2666-18882025-06-01910041110.1016/j.sftr.2024.100411Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferencesXiaojing Liu0Wenyi Du1Toba Olasehinde2Yubing Fan3Business School, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, PR ChinaBusiness School, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, PR China; Corresponding authors.State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Chinese Grass Industry Development Strategy Research Center, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730020, PR ChinaState Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Chinese Grass Industry Development Strategy Research Center, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730020, PR China; Corresponding authors.In the competitive landscape of supply chains, the strategic configuration of manufacturers and retailers has a significant impact on overall performance. This study analyzes three competitive structures in supply chain systems: centralized (CC), decentralized (DD), and hybrid (CD). This study optimizes retail prices and reduces carbon emissions by considering consumer preferences for low-carbon products. In the first supply chain, intense competition leads retailers to adopt a hybrid structure (CD), even when consumers prioritize low-carbon products. Manufacturers similarly opt for a hybrid model to balance production costs and carbon emissions. In the second supply chain, retailers prefer decentralization (DD) when consumer preference for low-carbon products is minimal. However, high consumer preference for low-carbon products results in the adoption of a hybrid structure to enhance overall production efficiency. As consumer low-carbon preferences increase, manufacturers shift from a centralized structure (CC) to a hybrid structure (CD) and eventually revert to a centralized structure. Our findings suggest that aligning supply chain structures with consumer preferences and competitive dynamics is crucial for achieving sustainable and profit-maximizing outcomes. The hybrid model is identified as a practical approach that balances economic efficiency with environmental sustainability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824002594Carbon emissionCompetitive supply chainsLow-carbon preferencePricing strategyProduction optimizationEnvironmental sustainability
spellingShingle Xiaojing Liu
Wenyi Du
Toba Olasehinde
Yubing Fan
Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferences
Sustainable Futures
Carbon emission
Competitive supply chains
Low-carbon preference
Pricing strategy
Production optimization
Environmental sustainability
title Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferences
title_full Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferences
title_fullStr Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferences
title_full_unstemmed Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferences
title_short Balancing competition and sustainability: Strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low-carbon preferences
title_sort balancing competition and sustainability strategic supply chain configurations in response to consumer low carbon preferences
topic Carbon emission
Competitive supply chains
Low-carbon preference
Pricing strategy
Production optimization
Environmental sustainability
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666188824002594
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AT tobaolasehinde balancingcompetitionandsustainabilitystrategicsupplychainconfigurationsinresponsetoconsumerlowcarbonpreferences
AT yubingfan balancingcompetitionandsustainabilitystrategicsupplychainconfigurationsinresponsetoconsumerlowcarbonpreferences