Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Based on Blockchain Technology

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

• The structure of this paper is complete and the idea is novel.The concept of information sharing quantity of supply chain financial system based on block chain technology is proposed for the first time, and the advantages of block chain technology in the field of supply chain finance are analyzed from a new perspective.This paper compares and analyzes the difference between traditional supply chain finance and supply chain finance based on block chain technology in the amount of information sharing, considers all suppliers in the supply chain system as a whole, respectively analyzes the balanced amount of information sharing among supply chain members, and provides a scientific and reliable basis for how to select the appropriate amount of information sharing among supply chain participating members.
• Based on the assessment of the amount of information shared, this paper realizes the quantification process of blockchain technology.It is the first time to prove the effectiveness of blockchain technology through quantitative analysis of information. At the same time, this paper adopts the differential game theory in the optimal control theory to analyze the problem of information sharing. It has a unique perspective and is a new application of optimal control theory. Extremely innovative and forward-looking.
• The author's English proficiency needs to be improved. There are large paragraphs of long sentences in the article, which are too cumbersome and can be simplified appropriately. Words and sentences also learn to be further polished.Meanwhile,There are certain problems in formula writing, and the formula writing of articles needs to be further standardized.The annotations of the pictures in the article are too complicated and can be simplified appropriately.
• Since this paper is based on the research on the amount of supply chain finance information sharing under accounts receivable financing, the title of Chapter 2 is suggested to be revised to the supply chain finance accounts receivable financing model based on blockchain technology.Atthe same time，The analyze of the traditional supply chain finance objective function in Section 3.2 can be further expanded.

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Re:Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043 and Title:Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example

Thank you and the referees for the enlightening and instructive advice again. According to your advice, we have checked the manuscript (Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043) entitled “Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example”. More details are as follows.

Reviewer #1:

Major comments:

• The author's English proficiency needs to be improved. There are large paragraphs of long sentences in the article, which are too cumbersome and can be simplified appropriately. Words and sentences also learn to be further polished.
• There are certain problems in formula writing, and the formula writing of articles needs to be further standardized.
• The annotations of the pictures in the article are too complicated and can be simplified appropriately.
• Since this paper is based on the research on the amount of supply chain finance information sharing under accounts receivable financing, the title of Chapter 2 is suggested to be revised to the supply chain finance accounts receivable financing model based on blockchain technology.Atthe same time，The analyze of the traditional supply chain finance objective function in Section 3.2 can be further expanded.

Response to Reviewer 1

We have revised this paper carefully again.

For suggestion1, we have polished the English writing carefully again under the guidance of someone good at English. I believe there are no more English grammar mistakes in this paper now.

For suggestion2, we have polished the formula writing carefully again,I believe there are no more formula writing mistakes in this paper now.

For suggestion 3, we have revised the relevant figures in section 4 which are proper and normal.

For suggestion 4, we revised the title of Chapter 2 to the supply chain finance accounts receivable financing model based on blockchain technology.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks very much for the valuable comments and suggestions of the editor and referees.

Sincerely yours

Reviewer 2 Report

After carefully reading the paper, I think that the following issues should be considered:

• the title of the paper is too long - please try to provide a shorter title
• the abstract is ambiguous, please try to provide the usual information one needs to find when reading an abstract, with an emphasize of the relevant numerical results of the paper
• the introduction is too long - please use references for shaping the gap in the literature and provide the contributions of the paper. Some information are given in the current form of the paper, but please try to point better the contributions of the paper.
• in the numerical simulation it is not stated how the values of the parameters have been extracted nor their meaning. Please try to explain using more words how you have obtained the values of the parameters.
• please check the figures in  section 4 as it seems that the legend has accidentally went over the central part of the figures
• please discuss how you have validated the results obtained in section 4
• please discuss the implications of the research

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Re:Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043 and Title:Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example

Thank you and the referees for the enlightening and instructive advice again. According to your advice, we have checked the manuscript (Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043) entitled “Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example”. More details are as follows.

Reviewer #2:

Major comments:

• The title of the paper is too long - please try to provide a shorter title.
• The abstract is ambiguous, please try to provide the usual information one needs to find when reading an abstract, with an emphasize of the relevant numerical results of the paper.
• The introduction is too long - please use references for shaping the gap in the literature and provide the contributions of the paper. Some information are given in the current form of the paper, but please try to point better the contributions of the paper.
• In the numerical simulation it is not stated how the values of the parameters have been extracted nor their meaning. Please try to explain using more words how you have obtained the values of the parameters.
• Please check the figures in  section 4 as it seems that the legend has accidentally went over the central part of the figures.
• Please discuss how you have validated the results obtained in section 4.
• Please discuss the implications of the research.

Response to Reviewer 2

We have revised this paper carefully again.

For suggestion1, we decided to change the title to “Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology”.

For suggestion2, according to your suggestion, we rewrote the abstract from four aspects: research background, research questions, research methods and research results.

For suggestion3,in the new revised article, we use the CASE of the CHIP crisis in the United States to reopen the whole article and remove the redundancy of the original text. At the end of the introduction, the significance of the research is added.

For suggestion4, at present, the application of blockchain technology in reality is relatively rare and the data are relatively scarce. We can only acquire the simulation data by analyzing the data of traditional supply chain financial system.We have done our best to discuss the numerical simulation and the result even though we did not have a through discussion not because of the lack of data.

For suggestion 5, we have revised the relevant figures in section 4 which are proper and normal.

For suggestion 6, the content of section 4 is the numerical simulation and stability analysis of the conclusion of Section 3.

For suggestion7,the research significance of this paper is to analyze the advantages of blockchain technology from a new perspective, which can effectively reduce the risk of information sharing and data system, and bring more security to the information flow between all supply chain financial participants. Analyzing the information sharing quantity of supply chain members not only ensures the efficient and transparent operation of supply chain, but also avoids risks such as disclosure of trade secrets. 

Thanks a lot.

Thanks very much for the valuable comments and suggestions of the editor and referees.

Sincerely yours

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper entitled "Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example"  focuses on a game model of supply chain finance information sharing behavior based on block chain technology, and assesses three game situations of independent decision-making, financial institutions and distributors sharing cost subsidy mechanism and collaborative decision-making. The paper tackles an interesting and timely topic but some sentences are unclear and need rewriting - in fact, the whole manuscript needs a thorough English proofreading. Below are my comments and suggestions for the authors:

1. The title needs to be modified and shortened, the current title is a way too long and not entirely grammatically correct.

2. It should be explained in the Abstract and Introduction how the supply chains based on Blockchain are connected to sustainable management and sustainability. The authors made no attempt to explain that anywhere! Without that the question arises why such a paper was submitted to Sustainability journal?

3. In the Introduction, China is referred as the "Country", however more background historical information needs to be provided on the Chinese case. The authors also mention Bitcoin, but cryptocurrencies were banned in China last year due to the financial and environmental concerns - this needs to be discussed too..

4. What is the scientific novelty of the paper? It is not enough to merely proclaim that the paper "tries to do this or that".

5. How the current situation with the crypto market crash would impact the provisions and processes described in this paper? Some recent updates might be useful.

6. The paper employs lots of mathematical modelling. Are the authors sure they selected the right journal? Mathematics of Future Internet would be much better given the focus of this research.

7. Policy implications and pathways for further research are missing. Who would benefit from the results of this paper? What should the policymakers and stakeholders do? Are the results applicable only for China or in a wider international context?

8. The paper needs a thorough English proofreading, preferably by the native English speaker and editor.

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Re:Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043 and Title:Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example

Thank you and the referees for the instructive advice again. According to your advice, we have checked the manuscript (Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043) entitled “Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example”. More details are as follows.

Reviewer #3:

Major comments:

1. The title needs to be modified and shortened, the current title is a way too long and not entirely grammatically correct.
2. It should be explained in the Abstract and Introduction how the supply chains based on Blockchain are connected to sustainable management and sustainability. The authors made no attempt to explain that anywhere! Without that the question arises why such a paper was submitted to Sustainability journal?
3. In the Introduction, China is referred as the "Country", however more background historical information needs to be provided on the Chinese case. The authors also mention Bitcoin, but cryptocurrencies were banned in China last year due to the financial and environmental concerns - this needs to be discussed too.
4. What is the scientific novelty of the paper? It is not enough to merely proclaim that the paper "tries to do this or that".
5. How the current situation with the crypto market crash would impact the provisions and processes described in this paper? Some recent updates might be useful.
6. The paper employs lots of mathematical modelling. Are the authors sure they selected the right journal? Mathematics of Future Internet would be much better given the focus of this research.
7. Policy implications and pathways for further research are missing. Who would benefit from the results of this paper? What should the policymakers and stakeholders do? Are the results applicable only for China or in a wider international context?
8. The paper needs a thorough English proofreading, preferably by the native English speaker and editor.

Response to Reviewer 1

We have polished this paper carefully again.

For suggestion1, we decided to change the title to “Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology”.

For suggestion2,the application of blockchain technology can effectively improve the endogeneity of supply chain finance system and promote the sustainable development of supply chain finance. According to your suggestion, we expound this meaning at the end of the introduction.

For suggestion3,in the new revised article, we use the CASE of the CHIP crisis in the United States to reopen the whole article and remove the redundancy of the original text. At the end of the introduction, the significance of the research is added. Meanwhile, we removed cryptocurrencies.

For suggestion4,the research significance of this paper is to analyze the advantages of blockchain technology from a new perspective, which can effectively reduce the risks of information sharing and data systems, and bring more security to the information flow between all financial participants in the supply chain. The concept of information sharing quantity is proposed for the first time, and the information sharing quantity of supply chain members is analyzed, which not only ensures the efficient and transparent operation of supply chain, but also avoids the risk of trade secret leakage.

For suggestion5,this paper focuses on the block chain technology to effectively solve the isolated island effect of supply chain financial information and the amount of information sharing among supply chain members, without in-depth discussion of cryptocurrencies.

For suggestion6,the paper is published in the special issue "Sustainable Supply Chain and Logistics Management: Environmental Impact, Resource Efficiency, Risk Management", whose theme is in line with that of your journal.

For suggestion7,the paper is applicable to a wide range of international context.At the same time, the background of the CHIP crisis in the United States is added to the newly revised paper, which proves that this paper is more suitable for a broad international environment.

For suggestion8, we have polished the English writing carefully again under the guidance of someone good at English. I believe there are no more English grammar mistakes in this paper now.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks very much for the valuable comments and suggestions of the editor and referees.

Sincerely yours

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

I thank the authors for the revised version of the paper and for the changes made.

Regarding the title I think that "Research on" can be eliminated as all the papers are researches on a specific issue.

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Re:Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043 and Title:Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example

Thank you and the referees for the enlightening and instructive advice again. According to your advice, we have checked the manuscript (Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043) entitled “Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example”. More details are as follows.

Reviewer #2:

Major comments:

• Regarding the title I think that "Research on" can be eliminated as all the papers are researches on a specific issue.

Response to Reviewer 2

We have revised this paper carefully again.

For suggestion1, we decided to change the title to “Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Based on Blockchain Technology”.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks very much for the valuable comments and suggestions of the editor and referees.

Sincerely yours

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper has been improved in many ways and it has been proofread. However, if the paper is to tackle the sustainable development of supply chain finance, more discussion should be done on this topic. Thence, I recommend further enhancing the discussion of how the topic of the paper is linked to the concept of sustainability via adding additional literature review and citing more sources (20-30 more relevant and up-to-date sources at least are required). This would allow to extend the list of references and to further improve the paper.

Author Response

Dear reviewer:

Re:Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043 and Title:Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example

Thank you and the referees for the instructive advice again. According to your advice, we have checked the manuscript (Manuscript ID:sustainability-1729043) entitled “Research on Differential Game Model of Information Sharing among Supply Chain Finance Members Based on Blockchain Technology—Take Accounts Receivable Financing as an Example”. More details are as follows.

Reviewer #3:

Major comments:

1. If the paper is to tackle the sustainable development of supply chain finance, more discussion should be done on this topic. Thence, I recommend further enhancing the discussion of how the topic of the paper is linked to the concept of sustainability via adding additional literature review and citing more sources (20-30 more relevant and up-to-date sources at least are required). This would allow to extend the list of references and to further improve the paper.

Response to Reviewer 3

We have revised this paper carefully again.

For suggestion1, we have added 20 new papers on the application of blockchain technology in the field of supply chain finance to promote the sustainable development of supply chain finance, and four new papers on the research methods of this paper. The contents of these papers are further reflected in the introduction.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks very much for the valuable comments and suggestions of the editor and referees.

Sincerely yours

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf