Research on Green Development Decision Making of Logistics Enterprises Based on Three-Party Game
1. Introduction
Logistics is developing rapidly in today’s world. The market of logistics enterprises expands with the increase in online consumption. However, the sharp increase in material flow has also increased the sharp increase in carbon dioxide emissions, which have a serious impact on the environment in each logistics link. The logistics industry is an industry with high carbon and high energy consumption, in which carbon emission is an important pollution source that needs to be treated. It is a difficult process to replace non-green logistics with green logistics for the government, logistics enterprises, and the market public, but it is also a general and necessary trend. However, green development is not only an effective measure to adapt to the development trend of the global logistics industry, but also core to the competitiveness of logistics companies. Green development is one way to reduce its operating costs in the future for logistics.
In recent years, the problem of the environment being affected by the development of logistics has become more acute and prominent. The green development of logistics companies can reduce the pollution caused by the flow of raw materials and resource consumption. According to the current science and technology, there is no way to completely eliminate the damage to the environment caused by logistics, that is to say, the impact on the environment is irreparable. Therefore, one of the management objectives of logistics enterprises is to limit or reduce the burden on the environment through a series of measures. Only in this way can the society achieve sustainable development.
The concept of green logistics first appeared in China around 2000. At that time, industry regulators also put forward higher requirements for green logistics management for the logistics industry, including the coordination and planning of storage, packaging, distribution, and other links, with saving logistics resources, protecting the environment and improving logistics efficiency as the basic goal. This was not only intended to achieve the enterprise’s own goal of energy saving and efficiency, but it was also necessary to cooperate with the participation of the whole society to further build a green and low-carbon environment in the economy and society as a whole. In 2021, seven national agencies issued the “Program for promoting Green Ecological consumption”, which aims to encourage the green development of logistics enterprises with an objective of achieving the goal of “green ecological distribution”. In fact, in recent years, various ministries have issued a series of policy guidelines on “lighter” and “thinner” express delivery. In 2021, the “14th five-year Plan” for plastic pollution prevention and Control Action Plan was issued, which aims to achieve the environmental protection goal of express delivery of e-commerce and the express delivery industry by 2025, completely eliminating secondary packaging and increasing the use of recyclable express packaging to 10 million. In 2022, the “9917” project continued to make efforts to achieve the lessening, standardization, and sustainable development of express packaging so as to meet the needs of consumers and promote social and economic development. In the field of green logistics, including packaging, transport, storage, and distribution, manufacturers, suppliers, and the public need to take joint action and retrograde green logistics activities. Due to the promotion of the green development concept and green and low-carbon development policy, logistics enterprises are developing in the direction of modern logistics, which is in the pursuit of high efficiency and intends to pay more attention to reducing pollution, consumption, and emissions in China. All localities speed up the construction of intelligently designed green logistics parks, optimize system design, carry out cloud computing, and carry out appropriate recycling. Currently, the state’s support for the logistics industry is increasing so as to help in the development of other industries in the country.
In recent years, the concept of green logistics continues to take root in the hearts of the people, and the green construction of logistics enterprises has gradually become the general trend of the development in industry. The implementation of green logistics measures of enterprises needs the promotion, support, and supervision of the government, and also needs to guide the market public to turn to the concept of green consumption.
Based on the previous studies, we know that the government and the public are two important influencing factors on whether logistics enterprises choose green development. However, scholars mostly discuss the relationship between the two from a unilateral perspective, and few study how the government and the public affect the choice of enterprises from the perspective of logistics enterprises. Therefore, this paper tries to put forward a game model between logistics enterprises, the government, and the market public as the main body and analyzes the strategic choice of each subject. It then puts forward some suggestions on the present situation of green logistics development for enterprises, government supervision policy, and green consumption behavior of the market public.
Our research makes three distinctive contributions within the existing field. Firstly, we consider several major aspects that affect logistics enterprises’ choices of green development, which are the government’s regulation and subsidy choices and public preference for green products and logistics enterprises’ choices. Secondly, establishing the tripartite game relationship between the logistics enterprises, the government, and the public, this study examines the promotion process of dynamic equalization. Finally, according to the conclusion of our analysis, the paper gives some feasible suggestions for the green development of logistics enterprises
2. Theoretical Development
3. Model Hypothesis and Construction and Its Evolutionary Equilibrium Analysis
3.1. Problem Description
3.2. Basic Assumptions
The main body of the model includes logistics enterprises, the government, and the public, which follow the basic hypothesis of a bounded rationality evolution game. The three utilize trial and error and choose through the game, and then change their own strategies so as to choose the optimal strategy to achieve equilibrium in the game. It is known that the strategy of logistics enterprises is green development or non-green development; the government’s strategy is regulation or non-regulation; and the public’s strategy is green consumption or non-green consumption. The probability that logistics companies choose green development is , the probability that the government chooses to monitor is , and is the probability of the public choosing green consumption.
The net income of logistics companies to choose green development is , and the cost of capital, technology, manpower, and other resources invested in green logistics is . If government supervises and the public chooses green consumption, the public demand for green logistics enterprises will increase the market share of logistics enterprises, and the increase in extra income is . Under the condition that the government does not regulate and the public chooses green consumption, the increase in the extra income of enterprises is . At this time, if the public does not choose green consumption, the extra income is 0.
The behavior of the government is analyzed from two angles of subsidy and regulation cost. The government subsidizes to logistics enterprises that carry out green logistics development, and (logistics enterprises choose green development) and (logistics enterprises have no green development) to the public with a green consumption concept. Specific human and material resources require the government to invest in publicity and inspection, and the supervision cost is . Green development increases social green benefits, and this is represented by an added value, .
There is a strong game relationship between the public green consumption concept and the green development of logistics companies. Therefore, it will guide the public to carry out green consumption for the process of green development for logistics companies. The utility of public non-green consumption is , and public green consumption needs to pay costs (logistics enterprises choose green development) and (logistics enterprises choose non-green development). The public enjoys the logistics services brought by logistics companies, increasing the extra utility, and the utility increase is .
3.3. Income Matrix of Tripartite Game
3.4. Construction of Replication Dynamic Equation
which can be known by the income matrix.
When the government implements a non-subside and regulation strategy, its expected return is:
When the public chooses non-green consumption, its expected return is:
The dynamic equation of expectations for the public with green consumption is:
Formulas (4), (8) and (12) constitute a dynamic replication system.
4. Equilibrium of Evolutionary Game and Its Asymptotic Stability Analysis
4.1. Asymptotic Stability Analysis
To solve the evolutionary game equation, let Equations (4), (8) and (12) be equal to zero. Eight special equilibrium points can be gained: there are P1 (0,0,0), P2 (1,0,0), P3 (0,1,0), P4 (0,0,1), P5 (1,1,0), P6 (1,0,1), P7 (0,1,1), and P8 (1,1,1). The stability of the above eight special equilibrium points is analyzed.
Points P3 (0,1,0), P4 (0,0,1), P5 (1,1,0), P7 (0,1,1), and P8 (1,1,1) all have at least one positive eigenvalue and are unstable points.
For point P1 (0,0,0), two eigenvalues are negative and one is “0”. P1 (0,0,0) is asymptotically critical stable.
For point P2 (1,0,0), the eigenvalues are negative or “0”, and P2 (1,0,0) is a conditional critical equilibrium point if is satisfied.
For the point P6 (1,0,1), the corresponding eigenvalues are all negative if it satisfies , and then P6 (1,0,1) is a conditional stable point.
4.2. Stability Analysis of Enterprises
represents the dividing line of the steady state. According to Equation (4), when , i.e., , then , and it can reach a steady state. That is to say, when the probability y of the government choosing regulation and subsidies and the probability z of the public choosing green logistics products meet the condition , the choice of logistics enterprises is stable. The proportion of logistics enterprises choosing whether to develop green logistics or not has no great impact on their income.
If , when , and , = 1 is a steady state for the system of tripartite relations. That is to say, when logistics enterprises choose to develop green logistics, the system can reach a stable state.
If , when , and , = 0 is a steady state for the system of tripartite relations. That is to say, when logistics enterprises do not choose to develop green logistics, the system can reach a stable state.
4.3. Stability Analysis of Government
represents the dividing line of the steady state. According to the Formula (8), When , i.e., , then , and it can reach a steady state. That is to say, the probability z of the public choosing green logistics products and the probability x of logistics enterprises to develop green logistics meet this condition: . The proportion of the government to choose whether regulation and subsidies or not has no great impact on their income.
When , if , then 0, 1, which are a pair of stable points, are obtained.
If , when , and , = 1 is a steady state for the system of tripartite relations. That is to say, regulation and subsidies are better options for governments to develop green logistics.
If , when , and , = 0 is a steady state for the system of tripartite relations. That is to say, a lack of regulation and subsidies is a better option for governments.
4.4. Stability Strategy of the Public
According to Formula (12), if , i.e., , then , it can reach a steady state. That is to say, when the probability x of logistics enterprises to develop green logistics and the probability y of the government choosing regulation and subsidies meet this condition, then . The proportion of the public choosing green logistics products or not has no great impact on their income.
When , if , then 0, 1, which are a pair of stable points, are obtained.
If , when , and , = 1 is a steady state for the system of tripartite relations. That is to say, choosing green logistics products is a better option for the public.
If , when , and , = 0 is a steady state for the system of tripartite relations. That is to say, not choosing green products is a good decision for the public.
Through stability analysis, we found that there is a close relationship between the development status of logistics enterprises, the government’s regulation and subsidies intensity and the public’s green logistics preference intensity ; different national policies also bring different green development levels of logistics corporations and green consumption levels of the public; meanwhile, the public’s green consumption is also affected by the level of green logistics and the intensity of government regulations and subsidies. By adjusting various parameters, we can achieve the best balance of the tripartite behavior and thus achieve the best game result.
5. Development Strategy Based on Equilibrium Analysis
Through the basic theory and method of an evolutionary game model, this paper analyzes how logistics corporations choose green development in a tripartite relationship. The following results are obtained: (1) Whether logistics companies choose green development is affected by public behavior, state support, and supervision. The more the public has a concept of green consumption, the greater the government’s supervision and support for green logistics enterprises, and the more it can encourage logistics companies to develop green logistics. In order to implement green logistics, enterprises should not only consider the market, but also rely on the support of the government. Only by effectively guiding enterprises to participate in green logistics can the government better provide incentives for green logistics. Consumers’ concepts of green consumption can impulse the technological innovation of logistics companies in green development. (2) Government supervision is mainly affected by profits and supervision costs. When the total benefit exceeds the cost of government regulation, the government will intervene in logistics enterprises to regulate. National supervision is the “thruster” of logistics enterprises’ green development. The government plays a crucial role in oversight. The green development of logistics enterprises is affected by the intensity of government supervision, environmental protection publicity, and innovation incentives of the government, as well as pollution fines and taxes on logistics enterprises. (3) The lower the cost of green development, the more logistics enterprises tend to pursue green development. Therefore, as there are more green subsidies to these enterprises, along with subsidies to the public and more government investment in the implementation of green logistics enterprises, the green development of enterprises and the formation of a public green consumption concept will be promoted. The more we promote the formation of green concept, the more we can promote the development of green logistics enterprises.
To sum up, logistics companies that want to achieve green development can:
- (1)
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Establish a green information disclosure system. In accordance with the requirements of environmental audit, they can regularly issue sustainable development reports and corporate social responsibility reports and encourage enterprises to strengthen their environmental responsibility.
- (2)
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Strengthen the research, development, and application of green technology innovation. If we want to protect the environment more effectively, we need to take measures to make technology more environmentally friendly. First of all, we need to strengthen the management of renewable packaging, formulate relevant environmental protection policies, and promote environmentally friendly packaging. Secondly, we also need to take measures to save resources, such as using clean fuel, controlling energy consumption, and reducing environmental pollution. Finally, we also need to carry out scientific warehouse management in order to improve environmental protection. In a word, we need to take measures to promote environmental protection and social progress. The use of big data, IoT, artificial intelligence, and accurate orientation technology greatly enhance the efficiency of logistics, thus greatly promoting logistics corporations to a higher level of progress.
- (3)
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Encourage cooperation and exchanges and promote the transformation of the industry. Encourage industry, university, and research to jointly build an innovation platform, encourage mutual cooperation among enterprises, establish a green postal and express service alliance, promote the green development experience of the industry in multiple levels and multiple channels, and promote the promotion of the concept of green logistics.
Companies can improve resource deployment and reduce the burden of transportation. They can accomplish this by vigorously pushing forward the development of “end-to-end” and “door-to-door” logistics models; vigorously developing third-party suppliers; promoting the simplification of logistics distribution; promoting the utilization of renewable resources; reasonably configuring and planning transport routes and transport channels; reducing vehicle congestion; actively promoting the construction of logistics supply chain information platforms; and further strengthening the overall operation of logistics components.
6. Conclusions
From the findings of this paper, we can obtain some enlightenment regarding the green development of logistics enterprises: (1) Although logistics enterprises have carried out a series of green development initiatives, they still need the government to adopt different ways and methods to promote this modernization process. The government should support the green innovation of logistics companies, strengthen regulatory measures, and reduce regulatory expenditure so as to avoid wastes of resources caused by wasteful expenditure. (2) The impact of mass consumption on green logistics cannot be ignored. If the public does not have green consumption, the government should increase public subsidies and increase public demand for green consumption, which will further stimulate logistics companies to invest in green development. (3) Logistics companies need to be environmentally conscious so that they can invest more money in innovation research for green development, reduce pollution, and reduce resource consumption. The public must understand the concept of green consumption, which can consume green products and promote the demand for and development of logistics companies.
Green logistics will bring about the coordinated development of economic benefits, environmental benefits, and social benefits. Based on this characteristic, logistics enterprises should actively invest in cooperation with the government and gradually promote the improvement of the standardized service system of green logistics through the co-construction of government and enterprises, which can not only effectively enhance the entry threshold of the green logistics industry, but also help to eliminate backward production capacity and solve the restrictive impact of traditional logistics on the development of green. It reflects the advantages of the development of green logistics enterprises.
At present, with the in-depth application of green business models, not only will logistics enterprises achieve their own sustainable and high-quality development, but the green development of the industry will also be accelerated. To this end, logistics enterprises should continue trying to achieve comprehensive coverage of green logistics. In order to realize the modern management and development of green logistics, we must strengthen the green logistics awareness of enterprises, managers, employees, and consumers, and establish a comprehensive management and supervision mechanism through publicity activities using various channels. In order to obtain the double return of economy and society, and to encourage all parties to participate in it, enterprises should make full use of their influence to provide positive examples for employees, customers, and suppliers to accelerate the greenization of logistic., This will create a win–win situation for the economy, society, and environment, and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.
Enterprises should actively promote the concept of green logistics so as to realize the long-term development of enterprises and society, and advocate for a team spirit of unity, cooperation, and environmental friendliness. Saving manpower, reducing waste, and preventing pollution are the long-term strategic goals of enterprise development. The government should issue policies and regulations to push forward green logistics, speed up the construction of green logistics infrastructure, and enhance the support of basic economic education facilities so as to push forward the sustainable development of green companies. The government should take some measures, such as encouraging the application of innovation and technology, strengthening the transformation of existing infrastructure, expanding its scale, optimizing its layout, realizing the integration of science and culture, improving the management efficiency of facilities, and maximizing its comprehensive economic benefits.