With whom should I work? Ratings consideration for partner selection in a P2P supply chain network. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Feng; Du, Timon C.; Wei, Ying
• Is Part Of: Transportation research. Volume 152(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: P2P network -- Supply chain network -- Partner selection -- Reputation system; Logistics -- Periodicals; Transportation -- Periodicals; 388.011
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2021.102386
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-5545

Abstract

Highlights: Partner selection with ratings information in a peer-to-peer network. Data analytics and network topology analysis on the real ratings data. Identifying the key ratings information influencing partner selection decisions. A multi-agent system to simulate the partner selection process. Impact of information revelation and tolerance of deception on reputation system. Abstract: Partner selection is a challenge central to dynamic peer-to-peer (P2P) supply chain networks with decentralized architecture. In this study, we examine how ratings information can be used to select the right trading partners in a P2P network. Using data collected from a bitcoin platform, we first show that the behavior patterns of fraudsters differ from those of other users. We analyze the topology of a P2P network and demonstrate that it is a small-world network and that various internal and external factors can affect the ratings. We find that it is also temporal and that effective rating indices for partner selection are also time-varying. We design a system to simulate the partner selection process and access its impacts on the effectiveness of the ratings information under different information revelation policies—all past information, three-month information, and one-month information—along with different levels of tolerance for deception. Our results provide practical insights into reputation system design in a P2P platform and have implications for partner selection in a P2P supply chain network.