Stackelberg game theory approach for manufacturer-retailer supply chain coordination using Imperialist Competitive Algorithm

Supply chains are multifaceted structures focusing on the integration of all the factors involved in the overall process of production and distribution of end products to the customers. This paper studies a manufacturer-retailer supply chain where there are several products and demand of each product is simultaneously influenced by price and marketing cost. We apply a Stackelberg game framework under two power approaches. In the first, the traditional approach wherein the manufacturer is the leader is considered. In the second, the retailer acts as the leader of the supply chain and manufacturer acts as the follower. For finding optimal or near-optimal solutions, imperialist competitive algorithm is applied. Finally numerical experiments are carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution procedure

Keywords:

Manufacturer-retailer supply chain , Game theory , Pricing , Imperialist competitive algorithm