Outsourcing or Authorizing? Optimal Options for Third-Party Remanufacturing Modes with Green Consumerism
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors• Proofreading the writing of the manuscript is necessary.
• The article is very similar to that of Tan et al. (2021) “Channel structure choice for remanufacturing under green consumerism”, on the differences between remanufacturing by OEM or TPR, including the proposal to analyze two separate models. This work was not even cited in the manuscript, let alone discussed appropriately, indicating the significant differences and the relevant original contribution.
• The research questions do not deal with green consumerism, which seems to be the article's difference compared to others that deal with consumers' tendency to purchase remanufactured products, such as Li et al. (2024), which could be discussed in the Introduction.
LI, Bangyi et al. Remanufacturing mode selection considering uncertain EOL products’ quality and differential consumers’ WTP. Kybernetes v. 53, no. 1, p. 358–383, 2 Jan. 2024. Available at: <https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/K-03-2022-0428/full/html>.
• Some more methodological details could be added to the abstract. When citing the development of theoretical models, it is not clear how this modeling was done. Only by reading the full text will it be possible to understand.
Minor issues
• Insert "and" in “the green consumerism and the third-party remanufacturing modes, such as, outsourcing, and authorization”.
• The sentence “However, OEM concentrates on the manufacturing and marketing of new 139 products while (Model A)” seems incomplete.
• In “Then, it is suggests that the increase in the segment of green consumers would generate even a more competitive relationship in Model O than in Model” would it be Model A in the end?
• Line 261, correct “Proposition 2”
Comments on the Quality of English LanguageCheck all text. There are small errors and formatting issues.
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Author Response
- Proofreading the writing of the manuscript is necessary.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following your suggestions, the revised version has been edited by MDPI.
- The article is very similar to that of Tan et al. (2021) “Channel structure choice for remanufacturing under green consumerism”, on the differences between remanufacturing by OEM or TPR, including the proposal to analyze two separate models. This work was not even cited in the manuscript, let alone discussed appropriately, indicating the significant differences and the relevant original contribution.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following your suggestions, we have made an explicit discussion by indicating the significant differences (see, Lines 143-149).
- The research questions do not deal with green consumerism, which seems to be the article's difference compared to others that deal with consumers' tendency to purchase remanufactured products, such as Li et al. (2024), which could be discussed in the Introduction.
LI, Bangyi et al. Remanufacturing mode selection considering uncertain EOL products’ quality and differential consumers’ WTP. Kybernetes v. 53, no. 1, p. 358–383, 2 Jan. 2024. Available at: <https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/K-03-2022-0428/full/html>.
Response: Thanks for the constructive suggestion. Following your suggestions, we have added the reference and make an explicit discussion in literature review (see, Lines 176-179). Furthermore, to highlight the contribution, we have added the green consumerism in the research questions (see, Lines 79-88).
- Some more methodological details could be added to the abstract. When citing the development of theoretical models, it is not clear how this modeling was done. Only by reading the full text will it be possible to understand.
Response: Thanks for the constructive suggestion. Following your suggestions, we have revised the abstract by adding more methodological details in it (see, Lines 15-20).
Minor issues
- Insert "and" in “the green consumerism and the third-party remanufacturing modes, such as, outsourcing, and authorization”.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. This mistake is corrected.
- The sentence “However, OEM concentrates on the manufacturing and marketing of new 139 products while (Model A)” seems incomplete.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. This mistake is corrected.
- In “Then, it is suggests that the increase in the segment of green consumers would generate even a more competitive relationship in Model O than in Model” would it be Model A in the end?
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. This mistake is corrected.
- Line 261, correct “Proposition 2”
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. This mistake is corrected.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe Authors undertook a vital problem of remanufacturing in the context of green consumerism. The paper is carefully prepared, well-structured, and the results are clearly demonstrated.
However, the scientific soundness would be higher if the Authors clearly presented the research questions and/or hypotheses. The specific objectives are also missing.
Moreover, the literature review could be presented in a more extensive way, including sustainable consumption and changes in consumer behaviours.
The discussion is also presented very briefly and definitely requires further elaboration.
The limitations of the study and recommendations for further research are also missing.
Author Response
The Authors undertook a vital problem of remanufacturing in the context of green consumerism. The paper is carefully prepared, well-structured, and the results are clearly demonstrated.
- However, the scientific soundness would be higher if the Authors clearly presented the research questions and/or hypotheses. The specific objectives are also missing.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have revised section of introduction and made a detailed discussion on the purpose of this paper. (see lines 61-70)
- Moreover, the literature review could be presented in a more extensive way, including sustainable consumption and changes in consumer behaviors.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have added the literature involved sustainable consumption and changes in consumer behaviors. (see lines 111-125)
- The discussion is also presented very briefly and definitely requires further elaboration.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have elaborated the section of conclusion by adding the research purpose (see, Lines 443-453), making the detailed discussion on results (see, Lines 454-477).
- The limitations of the study and recommendations for further research are also missing.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have revised the section of conclusion and make a more explicit discussion on the limitations of the study and recommendations for further research (see, Lines 478-502).
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe research focuses on how the green consumerism affects the decision-making process of original equipment manufacturers in choosing between outsourcing and authorizing remanufacturing operations to third-party remanufacturers. The authors have developed theoretical models to assist manufacturers in making this decision. The suggested models have the potential to assist manufacturers in making strategic decisions. However, there are a few points to consider. Firstly, the introduction and conclusions should not contain repetitive information. The purpose of the study should be clearly stated in the introduction, while the conclusions should provide a summary of the study’s findings. summarised in the conclusion. Secondly, it is advisable to provide a more detailed explanation of the methodology. Depending on a single source may not be enough justification, and it is important to address the potential impact of the model’s limitations on the final results.
Author Response
The research focuses on how the green consumerism affects the decision-making process of original equipment manufacturers in choosing between outsourcing and authorizing remanufacturing operations to third-party remanufacturers. The authors have developed theoretical models to assist manufacturers in making this decision. The suggested models have the potential to assist manufacturers in making strategic decisions. However, there are a few points to consider.
- Firstly, the introduction and conclusions should not contain repetitive information. The purpose of the study should be clearly stated in the introduction,
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have revised the sections of introduction and conclusion by making an explicit discussion on the purpose of this paper (see, Lines 61-70,443-453).
- While the conclusions should provide a summary of the study’s findings summarised in the conclusion.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have revised the section of conclusion by providing a more detailed discussion on the findings of this paper (see, Lines 454-477).
- Secondly, it is advisable to provide a more detailed explanation of the methodology. Depending on a single source may not be enough justification, and it is important to address the potential impact of the model’s limitations on the final results.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we provide a more detailed explanation of the methodology (see, Lines 227-233;246-253). In addition, in this revision, we have revised the section of conclusion and made a more explicit discussion on the limitations of the study and recommendations for further research (see, Lines 478-502).
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear Authors, Thank your for the opportunity to review your paper. You can find my comments in the pdf attached.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
English level is low in many sections of the paper which made the paper hard to read at some points.
Author Response
- I'm missing more papers on the effect of green consumerism and the choice of remanufacture products.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have added the literature involved the effect of green consumerism and the choice of remanufacture products. (see lines 111-124)
- Please put a note under the figures saying what are the variables.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have added the variables under all the figures (see, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4)
- Please include a discussions section, theoretical and practical implications
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have added theoretical and practical implications in the section of conclusion (see, Lines 464-477).
- Conclusions shouldn't include references.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following the suggestion, we have dropped the references(see, Lines 479).
- Please improve the level of English.
Response: Thanks for pointing it out. Following your suggestions, in this revision, we have carefully checked the manuscript and the revised version has been edited by MDPI.
Round 2
Reviewer 4 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsDear authors, thank you very much for the improvements.
