Recycling and differential pricing strategies in closed-loop supply chains considering blockchain

This paper aims to explore the role of blockchain in recycling when consumers have quality concerns about remanufactured products. Using the game-theoretical method, we analyze recycling and differential pricing strategies in closed-loop supply chains when a third party conducts the recycling activity. We further study the impacts of recycling channels. Our findings demonstrate that blockchain can increase the retail prices of new and remanufactured products and the profit of the third party when the blockchain usage fee is low. Otherwise, the manufacturer and the retailer will benefit from the use of blockchain. Besides, our study shows that when the blockchain usage fee is low, or the degree of quality information disclosure of remanufactured products is low, the application of blockchain can increase social welfare. Finally, we find blockchain can raise the collection rate, which is independent of the recycling channels.