On March 27, we had the honor of hosting Prof. Martin Dresner from the University of Maryland for a talk with Hiroshima University members titled “Delivering Benefits from Platform Partnerships.”
Prof. Dresner shared insights from his team’s research across four key topics related to supply chain management, with a particular focus on delivery platforms in the US and Korean markets.
In the US, the integration of online retailers and delivery platforms has been shown to generate benefits at various stages of collaboration. Additionally, partnerships with delivery platforms have contributed to increased direct channel sales for restaurant chains, indirectly promoting their own sales channels.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dresner’s research on Korea’s delivery platform market highlights how gig workers adopt batching strategies to maximize earnings, often at the cost of delayed deliveries. The study also reveals that gig workers prioritize flexible work schedules, as evidenced by low turnover rates, even if it means accepting lower overall earnings.
These findings present valuable insights for comparison with the Japanese market. Japan faces challenges such as a limited supply of gig workers for delivery services and a cultural emphasis on strict punctuality. While the factors that drive gig worker participation and retention in the US and Korea may not directly apply to Japan, they offer potential insights and highlight the need for further research and localized strategies that align with Japan’s labor dynamics and cultural expectations.
About TGIF Seminar
The TGIF seminar drives to engage with all participants to understand the challenges and identify new research and business opportunities through collaborations. The outcomes could lead to further research funding or new business opportunities and strengthening cross-sector networks. By working with multidisciplinary academics and industry partners, we aim to contribute to regional and national development as a successful example in Japan, specifically in the area of ‘carbon neutral, smart city and campus SDGs.