| Cloud computing provides all resources via the Internet as services to users. Depending on the resource type and service level, the involved services concept enables providers that can be divided into three scenarios:SaaS, PaaS, IaaS. Based on this background, we develop a providers-oriented cloud computing services supply chain. In this paper, we design a coordination strategy, which is an effective and be willingly accepted by each member to decline the risk of uncertain demand and increase the performance of cloud computing services supply chain.The main research as follows:(l)The two-stage cloud computing services supply chain consists of one AIP and one ASP. The AIP supplies the computer capacity to the ASP that in turn sells the values-added application services to the market. The decision strategy of AIP and ASP follows the LF theory (Leader-follower Game). Comparing the overall supply chain performance among the centralized strategy, the decentralized strategy and the quantity flexibility contract, we found that the decentralized strategy and the quantity flexibility contract cannot coordinate the services supply chain. Therefore, a combined contract is designed, which is a quantity flexibility combined incentives and penalties. The combined contract is not only coordinating the services supply chain perfectly, but also allocating coordination profit arbitrarily.(2) A two-stage cloud computing services supply chain network is comprised of one AIP, one potential AIP and N types of ASP. The AIP is used to compete with potential AIP to provide the lease services to the ASP. And different ASP sells the special SaaS service, and the service demand is independent of each other. In asymmetric information, the ASP has private information, the market demand and its minimum expected leasing service amount. Therefore, the AIP offers a menu of quantity discount contract to the ASP. Basing on its private information, it is possible that the high-indexed ASP type would take the lower-indexed option causing double marginalization. However, the profits of the AIP and ASP are higher than them under the decentralized strategy. The involved contract improves the performance of the cloud computing services supply chain.(3)A three-stage cloud computing services supply chain consist of one AIP, one APP and N types of ASP. In asymmetric information, the AIP and APP are hard to ensure the ASP’s private information about its type and minimum expected leasing service amount. In quantity discount contract, the APP takes the risk of uncertain market demand with a fixed service quantity provided by the AIP and then APP’s idle service will reduce the performance of overall services supply chain. Consequently, we provide a revenue sharing contract to balance the risk and profit of the AIP and APP, and the APP offers a menu of quantity discount contract to the ASP. Then, the performance of whole cloud computing services supply chain is improved effectively. |
