Wei Wei’s research while affiliated with Beijing Jiaotong University and other places

This paper develops an analytical model that explores how important supply chain parameters affect the cost savings to be realized from collaborative initiatives such as vendor-managed inventory (VMI). Results from the model show that the optimal replenishment frequency with VMI is greater than that without VMI, but the optimal shortage quantity and the optimal order quantity for buyer with VMI is smaller than those for buyer without VMI. Results also show that under a certain condition, the total inventory cost with VMI is lower than that without VMI and these benefits are disproportionally distributed between buyers and suppliers.

In this paper we study the impact of introducing a mobile channel into a supply chain. Thus, the supply chain owns an electronic channel, a mobile channel and a traditional channel. We model the context as a Stackelberg game. Through numerical experiments, we find that as mobile channel becomes more distinct from existing channels and becomes cheaper, consumers and manufacturer will be better off. We also find the manufacturer's inclination to mobile channel will not eliminate the traditional channel. However, the manufacturer's mobile channel has to keep a balance between attracting consumers for retailers and for itself.