Financing Strategy for Capital-Constrained Manufacturer in an Eco-friendly Dual-Channel Supply Chain

With the implementation of low-carbon policies and the rapid growth of e-commerce, an increasing number of manufacturers are adopting dual-channel sales. However, many face financial constraints and difficulties in securing loans from financial institutions due to their creditworthiness. The emergence of e-commerce platform (ECP) and third-party logistics (3PL) financing services offers a viable solution to these financial challenges. Despite their benefits, differences exist in the operational decisions of dual-channel supply chains under a manufacturer-driven power structure. Additionally, both channel differential pricing and uniform pricing strategies significantly impact supply chain operations. This study explores financing strategies for financially constrained manufacturers within an eco-friendly dual-channel supply chain involving a manufacturer, 3PL, and ECP. Optimization models are developed to determine the optimal carbon emission reduction levels and pricing strategies for both approaches. The analysis identifies conditions under which ECPs are incentivized to provide financing and the factors influencing manufacturers’ preference for ECP financing over 3PL financing. The results indicate that manufacturers’ financing decisions are influenced by channel price differentials, transportation fee discounts, unit production costs, and financing expenses. Notably, the ECP financing strategy is independent of channel price differences. Furthermore, findings demonstrate that channel price differences, financing expenses, transportation costs, and discount rates negatively impact carbon emission reduction levels.