The frequently studied conventional distribution channel has largely overlooked the role of the retail buyer who is employed by the retailer to procure products from the manufacturer. In many economies and industries, the presence of the buyer opens the door for the manufacturer to distort...

In many markets, a handset vendor and a service provider may enter into a tie-up for a handset to be available exclusively through the service provider. We examine when and why a service provider and a handset vendor may find this arrangement mutually profitable. We find that an exclusive tie-up...

In many markets, a handset vendor and a service provider may enter into a tie-in for a handset to be available exclusively through the service provider. We examine when and why a service provider and a handset vendor may find this arrangement mutually profitable. We find that an exclusive...

Many firms today quantify the value of individual customers and serve them differentially; providing better service, prices and other inducements to high value customers. We refer to this practice as Customer Value-based Management (CVM). While previous research and popular press has strongly...