In the past three decades China’s rapid transition from a closed economy to become the factory of the world has astonished economists all over the world. Surveys among sourcing practitioners show that China is the most interesting market for sourcing and research points to lower costs as the main reason.This dissertation is an exploratory study of the role of the intermediary for Swedish small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that source from China. Three questions are discussed. The first question concerns why Swedish SMEs choose to source from China. Although costs are a major factor for the companies, it is usually other triggers that cause the change in strategy, such as management interest or pressure from a large customer. The second research question concerns how Swedish SMEs choose to source from China and how the role of the intermediary is related to this process. The study shows that finding a good supplier is not difficult. The companies use informal channels, references and sometimes unorthodox methods such as following the supplier of the raw material to find suppliers that deliver high quality goods. The problem is however to maintain a steady quality and on time delivery which is why intermediaries are introduced late in the relationship. The cases in this study show example of five different intermediated strategies; Direct, Service,Traditional, RepO and FICE/WFOE. The traditional intermediated strategy is the only strategy where there is little or no relation between buyer and supplier, whereas the other four strategies involve different degrees of interaction between all three actors in the dyad; the buyer, the supplier and the intermediary.The third research question concerned the role of the intermediary. The study shows that the respondents are influenced by their structural view on what role the different forms of intermediaries may take. Although the respondents discuss the importance of having a long-term view on the relationship with the supplier they continuously allow intermediaries to enter the relationship on a short-term basis for quality control. These quality control centers (QC) commonly work on a fixed commission based on services that has to be specified. When the buyers are trying to change their strategy to look for an intermediary with higher involvement they usually turn to internal intermediaries (i.e. subsidiaries). When deciding on a long term intermediary the buyer usually looks for competences that supplement their own knowledge – that is Chinese language, good knowledge of the Chinese market but also technological competence. What the western owned intermediaries in China stresses however is the need to find intermediaries to supplement the suppliers’ competences, so that they are able to translate the needs of the buyer’s customer and becomes a physical reminder that they are sent from the buyer. The case of QC, shows that if a company let the relationship with the intermediary develop through interaction they can become just as involved.The study is based on interviews with key informants at Swedish SMEs andat different types of intermediaries in China. The empirical data are presented infive themes developed through an iterative process of theoretical studies anddata collection. The first two themes are directly related to the first tworesearch questions. The third theme focuses on the sourcing process andactivities of four small Swedish design companies. The fourth theme displayshow the intermediaries in China discuss their role. Finally, the fifth theme pictures the supply chain of one focal company at five points in time when they are in the process of changing their supply chain to increase transparency. / Disputationen sker fredagen den 30 mars kl. 13.00 i sal B1014 på Internationella Handelshögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping

The vast majority of earned agricultural dollars in Vermont come from the dairy industry, but with volatility in the market in recent years, including rising costs of feed and the fluctuating price of milk, state officials have begun to recommend diversification of farm activities to instill resiliency into the system. The research presented in this thesis explores two avenues for diversification, farm-to-consumer sales of raw milk and local beef production. The second chapter utilizes diffusion theory to understand the prevalence of raw milk consumption in Vermont, develop a profile of the raw milk consumer, document the motivations of raw milk consumers, and identify sources and channels of information for raw milk consumers. The results of a general population telephone survey indicate that 11.6% of those surveyed reported consuming raw milk and are on average educated, middle-aged, and middle-income earners in small households. Compared to US Census data, there are no demographic differences between raw milk consumers and the average Vermonter. Motivations for consumption include preference for raw milk's flavor, believed health benefits, and knowing or being a farmer. The primary sources of information are dairy farmers, friends, family, and co-workers. The primary channel through which information is obtained is person-to-person discussions. We conclude by discussing the implication of our findings on food protection trends and future research The third chapter investigates beef processing in the state and through the Agriculture of the Middle paradigm develops a firmographic profile of processors, identifies the frequency of use of a set of industry best practices and articulates the current opportunities and barriers to beef processing. The results of the firmographic profile show that most processors utilize both fee-for-service processing and buy-in processing and that each model is an equal percentage of revenue for business. Most processors indicated clearly demarcated busy and slow seasons with no change in the number of employees during these times and little change in operation capacity. Most processors are involved with some industry best practices and most had at least one anchor client to stabilize their operations. There are opportunities in marketing and opening up new markets but the seasonality, infrastructure and consistency of supply are and may remain a hindrance to this advancement. We conclude that there is little difference between models and that most farmers and processors are already in the stages of developing positive and equitable business relationships and that the future of beef production in Vermont is strong.

Vermont is widely-regarded as a hub for artisan cheese production, with more cheesemakers per capita than any other US state. Despite significant local and statewide support, out-of-state markets are essential to the long-term success of these small-scale producers. In spatially extended supply chains, retailers occupy a pivotal position. This thesis aims to examine the intermediary role of retailers in building social networks between producers and consumers. Consumers appreciate Vermont artisan cheese, in part, because it is embedded in a complex network of social values and relations related to where and how it is produced. Guided by social theories of consumption, sensory experience, and exchange, a transdisciplinary, mixed-methods study was conducted in order to better understand cheese retailers' role in this network. First, participant observation and ethnographic interviews at a specialty cheese shop demonstrated how highly specialized cheese retail professionals (known as a cheesemongers) communicate social information about Vermont artisan cheese to consumers in practice. Specialized narratives are transmitted to consumers through in-store signage and social interactions. These stories also involve the cheesemonger as traveler, developing specialized knowledge of Vermont artisan cheese by traveling to the place of production. A second site of participant observation at a national conference for artisan cheese professionals added breadth to the study. While cheesemongers appear to agree that a certain level of intrinsic quality is necessary for consumer acceptance and preference, many also see the importance of, and derive pleasure from, knowing and conveying the social story, and perceive this to be an important part of their professional role and identity. Second, social network analysis provided a broader examination of relationships between Vermont artisan cheesemakers and retailers in the region. In order to collect data on these relationships, an online survey was distributed to Vermont artisan cheesemakers and follow-up phone calls were conducted. A combination of statistical and network analyses was used to visualize the social structure of the network, identify key actors, and examine qualities of the relationships. The findings suggest that the social network for Vermont artisan cheese is a multiplex system, in which a cheesemaker's relative position in the network is the result of a complex balance--and sometimes compromise--between a cheesemaker's needs, goals, and desires and their various retailers' needs, goals, and desires. Moreover, geographic proximity, time, experience, convenience, cost, history, loyalty, and regard all appear to be important factors in the type of relationship cheesemakers have with retailers, and whether a relationship is established at all.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent Amanor-Boadu / The purpose of this thesis was to estimate the value accruing to Zambian bean supply chain participants with the view to showing that value at the different stages is a function of the value addition and risk incurred at those stages. The data used in the study came from two different surveys done under the Pulse Value Chain Initiative – Zambia focusing on producers and bean traders. The surveys used structured questionnaires for both producers and traders. The producers were sampled from three principal bean producing provinces in Zambia: Lundazi, Mbala and Kalomo. The traders were sampled from the largest consumer region in the country – Lusaka – and focused on traders operating in the three principal markets in the city: Soweto; Chilenje; and Mtendere. The analyses were conducted using STATA®, employing both statistical and econometric methods. Value was defined as a function of transaction costs and value addition as well as the risks borne. In the Zambian mixed bean trade environment, where traders travel to remote locations where producers live and produce, they are seen to incur higher levels of risk and undertake higher levels of value addition – assembling the grain, bagging them and moving them from the rural areas where production occurs to the cities where customers reside. As such, it is expected that value creation and distribution would increase away from the farm. The results confirmed this expectation. The total average value created at the farm level was ZMK3,391.06/kg. However, the average value accruing to traders who only undertook wholesaling was ZMK7,405.75/kg while that accruing to traders going further down the chain to retail was ZMK9,663.56/kg. Traders who engaged in institutional trade produced an average value of ZMK8,750.75/kg. The share of total value produced accruing to producers in the producer-wholesaler-retailer chain was about 16.6 percent because of the higher value addition and risk that occur further downstream in the chain. The share of total value produced accruing to producers in the producer-wholesaler-institutional buyer chain was about 17.3 percent. The study showed that female producers’ share was not different, statistically speaking, from male producers’ value. It also showed that the average value created in thin (smaller) markets was higher than the value created in larger markets, probably because of the level of competition that occurs in the latter markets. Interestingly, the results showed that the larger the land holdings of producers, the lower the value created. This is in line with the foregoing results of size, competition and value. The study suggests that producers’ share of total value created may be enhanced by helping producers undertake specific activities that increased the value they added and reduce the risks that traders bear in their search for grain. One of such activities could be the formation of horizontal strategic alliances among producers that allowed producers to aggregate grain at particular locations in significant lots and bag them. This service would allow them to extract higher value from the exchange with traders. Any attempt to address the perceived “unfair” distribution of value along the supply chain by administrative fiat could result in higher costs to the whole supply chain and crate adverse unintended consequences for producers and the treasury.

M. Tech. (Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology) Vaal University of Technology| / Implementing either periodic or continuous inventory review model within most manufacturing-companies-supply chains, as a management tool, incurs higher costs. These high costs affect the system flexibility which in turn affects the level of service required to satisfy customers. However, these effects are not clearly understood. This may be due to the fact that lead time and demand which are important input parameters of the manufacturing supply chain are not designed to be fully utilized under different and uncertain conditions such as seasonality, poor manufacturing, poor supplies and delivery performance, etc. Coming up with a hybrid inventory model which may combine, in some sense a continuous (r, Q) and a periodic (R, S) inventory review models can be useful in dealing with such problem. Therefore, more attention should be first devoted to formulating accurate models for lead time and demand that incorporate uncertainty. This study presents a simulation based approach that assesses the effect of uncertainty on the cost of implementing a continuous (r, Q), periodic (R, S) and hybrid inventory review models while considering appropriate constraint such as customer service and system flexibility. The stochastic representations of demand and lead time are proposed and used in the simulation models. Results reveal that under a unique situation, implementing a continuous (r, Q) inventory review model may cause manager to under-budget while the use of a periodic (R, S) inventory review models may lead to over budget and vice versa. Further investigation shows that the cost of implementing the hybrid inventory model, although higher at the beginning of operation, seems to be the most cost effective one over time. The result also reveal optimal re-order point path and optimal review interval path which when followed, should lead to optimal inventory cost path as demand and lead time fluctuate. Thus, a management guide is proposed that can be used by managers in making inventory decision.

O agronegócio expressa-se de múltiplas formas e tem repercussões nos sistemas alimentares e no comportamento das populações locais e globais. As estimativas sugerem que o Brasil se tornará o maior produtor mundial de alimentos nas próximas décadas. Assim, cumpre-se examinar as commodities agrícolas brasileiras e analisar as diferentes mudanças temporais e geográficas relacionadas à produção e ao consumo de alimentos no país. Com vistas a apresentar uma investigação científica que contribua para a construção do conhecimento da dinâmica da produção e do consumo de alimentos no Brasil, esta tese inclui pesquisas interdisciplinares que fornecem análises complementares para o tema proposto. O objetivo principal deste estudo é composto por dois aspectos que envolvem os sistemas agroalimentares e as suas dinâmicas. O primeiro refere-se à produção de alimentos no Brasil – especificamente como as diferentes expressões do agronegócio na produção agrícola e pecuária evoluíram – enquanto o segundo aspecto analisa como a população brasileira mudou seus padrões alimentares. Assim, a tese examina a participação da região do Centro-Oeste brasileiro na alteração da distribuição da produção agrícola brasileira. Os movimentos dos pontos médios geográficos dos principais produtos agrícolas brasileiros, ocorridos entre 1990 e 2015, parecem corresponder às mudanças geográficas ocorridas na produção agrícola e no uso da terra desta região durante o período analisado. Esta pesquisa também apresenta as mudanças geográficas relacionadas ao agronegócio brasileiro e discute como elas se refletem nos padrões alimentares de sua população, assim como na heterogeneidade da aquisição de alimentos entre os estados brasileiros. A relação entre o agronegócio e a sustentabilidade é necessária para melhorar a produção e a acessibilidade aos alimentos e preservar os recursos naturais. Nesse sentido, são necessários novos modelos de consumo e cadeias sustentáveis de suprimentos de alimentos para mitigar este problema. A análise fenomenológica realizada neste trabalho pode oferecer uma visão do agronegócio às partes interessadas, no que diz respeito ao panorama dos principais produtos que podem impulsionar o desenvolvimento sustentável da agricultura brasileira.

Submitted by admin tede (tede@pucgoias.edu.br) on 2016-09-13T19:39:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TÉRCIO SATHLER GARCIA.pdf: 3076929 bytes, checksum: 6f00fac125d251710359902581d98128 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T19:39:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TÉRCIO SATHLER GARCIA.pdf: 3076929 bytes, checksum: 6f00fac125d251710359902581d98128 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-17 / This study aimed to present a settlement proposal PLMG (Multimodal Logistics Platform of Goias), considering the State of Goias production chains contribution in the regional economy. There was the use of economic and geographical data of the State, mainly raised in governmental agencies, which were evaluated to identify the relevance of productive chains in GDP in the State of Goias. Through studies and assumptions, we could map the grip and absorption of production chains economic activities in PLMG. In order to propose a demand with potential for absorption of PLMG, each chain was considered according to their economic activities, given the classification of the NCEA. After evaluating economic activities and relate them to the PLMG services, the influences and geographical handicaps were deemed, constituting a new reality in the participation of platform settlement. As a result of this work, a proposal for the PLMG settlement was presented, but not sticking to the platform deployment process in its layout details or storage mode. In conclusion, it was found that the chains that had higher grip with PLMG are the chains of trade, agriculture and processing industry. Individual absorption potential along with representation in Goias GDP was presented, thus justifying the proposed settlement. / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo apresentar uma proposta de povoamento da PLMG (Plataforma Logística Multimodal de Goiás), considerando a contribuição das cadeias produtivas do Estado de Goiás na economia regional. Fez-se a utilização de dados econômicos e geográficos do Estado, levantados principalmente nos órgãos governamentais, os quais foram avaliados para identificar a relevância das cadeias produtivas na formação do PIB no Estado de Goiás. Por meio de estudos e pressupostos, pôde-se mapear a aderência e a absorção das atividades econômicas das cadeias produtivas na PLMG. Visando propor uma demanda com potencial de absorção da PLMG, cada cadeia foi ponderada de acordo com suas atividades econômicas, considerando a classificação do CNAE. Depois de avaliar as atividades econômicas e relacioná-las com os serviços da PLMG, julgou-se as influências e limitações geográficas, constituindo uma nova realidade de participação no povoamento da plataforma. Como resultado do trabalho foi apresentada uma proposta para o povoamento da PLMG, porém não se atendo ao processo de implantação da plataforma no detalhamento de seu layout ou modo de armazenagem. Como conclusões, constatou-se que as cadeias que apresentaram maior aderência com a PLMG são as do comércio, agropecuária e indústria da transformação. Os potenciais individuais de absorção juntamente com a representatividade no PIB Goiano foram apresentados justificando o povoamento proposto.

O presente trabalho trata da relação entre estratégias de diversificação junto a produção rural familiar e os incentivos decorrentes das diferentes estruturas de governança que determinam as relações sistêmicas de troca e divisão do trabalho. A necessidade de manutenção no nível de bem-estar social associado a renda familiar e as contingências do ambiente em que este segmento se insere leva a considerar o processo de inovação como fenômeno transitório onde a firma rural adote diferentes fontes de rendimento, dentro e fora da propriedade. A compreensão de como as variáveis transacionais (incerteza, especificidade dos ativos, frequência e interação entre transações) interferem na decisão de alocação de recursos pode ser útil no delineamento de políticas voltadas ao desenvolvimento local sustentável. Para isso, um modelo heurístico é proposto relacionando duas variáveis: complementariedade estratégica e mobilidade. Quatro comunidades fornecedoras de insumos da sociobiodiversidade brasileira ajudam a ilustrar a proposta analítica, a saber: Salvaterra, Bragança, Breves, no estado do Pará, e Palmeira do Piauí no estado do Piauí. A conclusão é que os atores econômicos agem conforme suas capacidades tecnológicas e gerenciais e combinação de incentivos externos a firma, o que reflete em sua capacidade de manter o nível de renda. / The aim of this work is the relationship between diversification strategies with rural family production and incentives stemming from different governance structures which determine the systemic relationships of trade and division of labor. The need to sustain the social welfare level associated with family income and environmental contingencies should be consider. The innovation process is described as a transitory phenomenon where rural firm adopts a diversification of income-generating activities. The company can be regarded as transactions link. An empirical model was proposed based on two variables: strategic complementarity and mobility. The purpose is to provide parameters to serve as decision subsidies for formulation of public policies and business practices (including technology transfer mechanisms) aimed at reducing poverty in the rural environment. Four communities were studied in relation to the Brazilian socio-biodiversity chain: Salvaterra, Bragança, Breves, at Pará state and Palmeira do Piauí, at Piauí state. This study concludes that economic actors operate according to their technological and managerial capabilities and combination of incentives external from the firm.

Analisar as dinâmicas que envolvem a combinação de atividades realizadas no contexto rural mostra-se uma tarefa pertinente para a temática do agronegócio. A crescente valorização das culturas e sistemas de produção locais, dos produtos agroalimentares, das paisagens e do meio ambiente, bem como as dinâmicas das relações sociais e econômicas, impulsionam o surgimento de novas oportunidades para geração desenvolvimento econômico e social no meio rural. Nesse sentido, o desenvolvimento da atividade turística no espaço rural, motivado pela diversificação e pela demanda das novas relações com esse ambiente, expõe as possibilidades de exploração de novas oportunidades de mercado. Percebe-se que a valorização do local estimula não apenas a economia rural, mas também a atividade turística e o desenvolvimento de pequenos empreendimentos de uma determinada região. No caso dessa pesquisa, tais fatores são explorados através da identificação e análise das iniciativas de enoturismo e turismo gastronômico na região Sul do Brasil. Buscando discutir esse contexto, realizou-se um levantamento da literatura acerca das abordagens que conduzem a construção analítica do trabalho, posteriormente desenvolveram-se dois estudos, que, para a estrutura teórica, relacionam como fio condutor a temática do turismo no espaço rural, com a abordagem de cadeias curtas. O levantamento realizado serviu para embasar a análise dos dados selecionados para compor o estudo acerca do enoturismo e das entrevistas com atores locais, no caso do estudo referente ao turismo gastronômico, que também contempla outros elementos, como Indicações Geográficas e o movimento Slow Food. Como resultados da análise, pode-se considerar que, ao promover os produtos locais, valorizar o tradicional e as estruturas sociais e econômicas de uma determinada região é possível atingir o desenvolvimento regional e agregar valor para os produtos, valorizar os produtores e aproximá-los do setor varejista e de serviços, e, consumidores finais. / To analyze the dynamics involving the combination of activities in the rural context appears as a relevant task for the subject of agribusiness. The growing appreciation of cultures and local production systems, agri-food products, the landscapes and the environment, as well as the dynamics of social and economic relations, drive the emergence of new opportunities for generating economic and social development in rural areas. In this sense, the development of tourism in rural areas, driven by diversification and demand of new relations with the environment, exposes the possibilities of exploiting new market opportunities. It is noticed that the appreciation of the Local encourages not only the rural economy, but also the tourist activity and the development of small enterprises in a given region. In the case of this research, these factors are explored through the identification and analysis of wine tourism and gastronomic tourism initiatives in southern Brazil. Attempting to discuss this context was held a survey of the literature on approaches that lead to analytical construction of the study, subsequently were developed two studies, which, for the theoretical framework, relate as a guide the theme of tourism in rural areas, with the approach of short chains. The survey served to support the analysis of the data selected to compose the study of the wine tourism and interviews with local actors, in the case of study related to gastronomic tourism, which also includes other elements such as geographical indications and the Slow Food movement. As a result of the analysis, it can be considered that by promoting local products, enhance the traditional social and economic structures of a given region can achieve regional development and add value to the products, value producers and bring them closer of the retail sector and services, and consumers.

Parallèlement au prix, le délai de livraison est un facteur clé de compétitivité pour les entreprises. De plus les entreprises sont plus que jamais obligées de respecter ce délai promis. La combinaison du choix du prix et du délai promis implique de nouveaux compromis et offre de nombreuses perspectives. Un délai plus court peut entraîner une augmentation de la demande, mais augmente également le risque de livraison tardive et donc décourager les clients. A contrario un délai plus long ou un prix plus élevé entraîne généralement une baisse de la demande. Or malgré le rôle stratégique conjoint du prix et des délais et leurs impacts sur la demande, dans la littérature en gestion des opérations on suppose très généralement une demande exogène (fixée a priori) même si la conception de la chaîne impacte fortement les délais (localisation des sites, positionnement des stocks,..) et donc la demande. Nous nous sommes donc intéressés à ces choix de fixation des délais promis et du prix dans un contexte de demande endogène.La littérature traitant du choix du délai et du prix sous demande endogène a principalement considéré un contexte de fabrication à la commande (Make to Order). Un papier fondateur de Palaka et al en 1998 a présenté cette problématique avec une modélisation de l’entreprise par une file d’attente M/M/1 et nos travaux se placent dans la suite de ce travail. Notre revue de la littérature a permis d'identifier de nouvelles perspectives et nous proposons trois extensions dans cette thèse.Dans notre première contribution, en utilisant le cadre de Palaka et al, nous considérons que le coût de production est une fonction décroissante du délai. Dans tous les articles publiés dans ce contexte, le coût de production unitaire a été supposé constant. Pourtant en pratique, le coût de production unitaire dépend du délai promis, l'entreprise pouvant mieux gérer le processus de production et réduire les coûts de production en proposant des délais plus longs aux clients.Dans la deuxième contribution, nous considérons toujours le cadre de Palaka et al, mais modélisons l'entreprise comme une file d'attente M/M/1/K, pour laquelle la demande est donc rejetée s'il y a déjà K clients dans le système. Dans la littérature issue du travail de Palaka seule la file d'attente M/M/1 a été utilisée, ce qui signifie que tous les clients sont acceptés, ce qui peut entraîner de longues durées de séjour dans le système. Notre idée est basée sur le fait que rejeter certains clients, même si cela peut apparaitre dans un premier temps comme une perte de demande, pourrait aider à proposer un délai plus court pour les clients acceptés, et finalement conduire à une demande et donc un profit plus élevé.Dans la troisième contribution nous étudions un nouveau cadre pour le problème du délai et du prix en fonction de la demande endogène, en modélisant une chaîne logistique composée de deux étapes de production, modélisée par un réseau de files d’attente tandem (M/M/1-M/M/1). Dans la littérature avec ce cadre multi-entreprise, tous les articles ont considéré qu'un seul acteur avait des opérations de production, l'autre acteur ayant un délai nul. Nous avons étudié les scénarios centralisés et décentralisés.Pour chacun des nouveaux problèmes nous avons proposé des formulations maximisant le profit composé du revenu diminué des coûts de production, de stockage et pénalité de retard, et fourni des résolutions optimales, analytiques ou numériques. Ces résolutions nous ont amenés à démontrer de nouveaux résultats (retard moyen dans une M/M/1/K ; condition pour que des contraintes de service locales permettent d’assurer une contrainte de service globale dans un système en tandem). Nous avons mené des expériences numériques pour voir l’influence des différents paramètres. / Along with the price, the delivery lead time has become a key factor of competitiveness for companies and an important purchase criterion for many customers. Nowadays, firms are more than ever obliged to meet their quoted lead time, which is the delivery lead time announced to the customers. The combination of pricing and lead time quotation implies new trade-offs and offers opportunities for many insights. For instance, on the one hand, a shorter quoted lead time can lead to an increase in the demand but also increases the risk of late delivery and thus may affect the firm’s reputation and deter future customers. On the other hand, a longer quoted lead time or a higher price generally yields a lower demand. Despite the strategic role of joint pricing and lead time quotation decisions and their impacts on demand, in the operations management literature an exogenous demand (a priory a known demand) is generally used in supply chain models, even if the design of the supply chain has a strong impact on lead times (i.e., sites location, inventory position, etc.) and thus affects the demand. Therefore, we are interested in the lead time quotation and pricing decisions in a context of endogenous demand (i.e., demand sensitive to price and quoted lead time).The literature dealing with pricing and lead time quotation under an endogenous demand mainly considered a make to order (MTO) context. A pioneer paper, Palaka et al. (1998), investigated this issue by modeling the company as an M/M/1 queue, and our work follows their footsteps. Our review of the literature allowed to identify new perspectives for this problem, which led to three main contributions in this thesis.In our first contribution, using Palaka et al.’s framework, we consider the unit production cost to be a decreasing function in quoted lead time. In most published papers, the unit production cost was assumed to be constant. In practice, the unit production cost generally depends on the quoted lead time. Indeed, the firm can manage better the production process and reduce the production cost by quoting longer lead time to the customers.In the second contribution, we still consider Palaka et al.’s framework but model the firm as an M/M/1/K queue, for which demand is rejected if there are already K customers in the system. In the literature on single firm setting following Palaka et al.’s research, only the M/M/1 queue was used, i.e., where all customers are accepted, which might lead to long sojourn times in the system. Our idea is based on the fact that rejecting some customers, might help to quote shorter lead time for the accepted ones, which might finally lead to a higher profitability, even if in the first glance we lose some demand.In the third contribution, we study a new framework for the lead time quotation and pricing problem under endogenous demand as we model the supply chain by two production stages in a tandem queue (M/M/1-M/M/1). In the literature with multi-firm setting, all papers considered that only one actor has production operations and the other actor has zero lead time. We investigated both the centralized and decentralized decision settings.For each problem studied, we formulated a profit-maximization model, where the profit consists of a revenue minus the production, storage and lateness penalty costs, and provides the optimum result (analytically or numerically). These resolutions led us to demonstrate new theoretical results (such as the expected lateness in an M/M/1/K, and the sufficient condition required to satisfy the global service constraint in a tandem queue by only satisfying the local service constraints). We also conducted numerical experiments and derived managerial insights.