Differentiated Pricing and Channel Configuration in Blockchain-Enabled Sustainable Platform Supply Chains
Longfei He, Wenfan Bai, Xinzhou Lin, Xiaohang Yue · IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management · 2025
The transformative potential of blockchain technology in operations and engineering management has attracted considerable academic interest and industrial attention. This study examines the critical determinants that influence traditional offline manufacturers’ adoption of blockchain-enabled price-differentiation platforms when catering to dual consumer segments. Within the framework of the platform’s blockchain service provision, we systematically analyze various pricing mechanisms: manufacturer-led uniform pricing, centralized pricing, resale-mode single-stage differentiation, resale-mode two-stage differentiation, and marketplace-mode differentiation. The comparative analysis reveals distinct implications for manufacturers’ profitability and consumer surplus. Key findings indicate that in resale configurations, price differentiation alone is insufficient for manufacturers to fully capitalize on platform advantages. Effective two-stage price coordination between the manufacturer and the platform, coupled with efficient sustainable investment mechanisms, emerges as a crucial driver for adopting blockchain technology within these platforms. When the costs associated with blockchain installation exceed the benefits derived from sustainability improvements, manufacturers may strategically implement price reductions to attract eco-conscious consumers. Participation in marketplace mode becomes economically viable only when commission rates fall below critical thresholds. Notably, while resale-mode differentiation typically diminishes consumer surplus, marketplace-mode implementation has the potential to enhance it.