PONE-D-24-14767A Stackelberg-based buyback approach towards rail freight optionPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Guo,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

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We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

Kind regards,

Yongxiang Zhang, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: N/A

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: A repurchase strategy for the rail freight option based on the Stackelberg game is proposed in this paper. It is necessary to present the work as a research paper, with the following considerations in mind:

1.) The work's title lacks specificity and is presented in a generic format. The title ought to be revised in a concise yet impactful manner to convey the primary subject matter.

2.) The abstract should encompass a concise explication of the study's motivation and significance.

3.) In addition to competitive games, the introduction and literature review must cover other game types that are utilised in this domain, including Nash games, differential games, fuzzy games, and others. An analysis of the gaps should be provided.

4.) The primary content of the manuscript ought to advocate for the following: methodology, theoretical outcomes, and game model construction need to be explicitly and carefully described. The present form appears to be unacceptable.

5.) The paper lacks any numerical findings. To ensure that the proposed pricing model is important to real-world scenarios, a case study is suggested here.

6.) A discourse section addressing the model's contributions, limitations, and challenges along with potential solutions is absent. A more comprehensive analysis of the managerial implications and potential avenues for future research was also expected.

Reviewer #2: The data used in the manuscript is rigorous and reliable, which is sufficient to support the existing research conclusions. Moreover, appropriate statistical methods are adopted. From data to methods, they can support the conclusion of the manuscript. In addition, the writing of the manuscript adopts relatively standard English expression

Reviewer #3: The manuscript presents a generally well-structured argument and the overall flow of ideas is commendable. However, there are a few areas that require attention:

Logical Coherence in Sentences: There are instances where the logic within individual sentences appears to be flawed. It would be beneficial to revise these sentences for clarity and precision.

Consistency in Sentence Structure: The manuscript exhibits a mix of long and short sentences, which can disrupt the reading flow. A more balanced approach to sentence construction is recommended to ensure consistency.

Content Distribution: Some sections seem to have an uneven distribution of content, with certain areas lacking the depth required to fully support the arguments being made.

Connectivity Between Formulas: The transitions between mathematical formulas are not as seamless as they could be. It is important to ensure that the relationships between formulas are clearly articulated to maintain the integrity of the technical narrative.

To enhance the manuscript's quality, I suggest a thorough review of the identified areas, focusing on refining sentence logic, maintaining structural consistency, balancing content distribution, and improving the connectivity of mathematical expressions.

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Ali Hamidoğlu

Reviewer #2: No

Reviewer #3: No

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: Recommendation.pdf

PONE-D-24-14767R1A Stackelberg-Based Repurchase Strategy for Rail Freight Options (BRFO)PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Guo,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

Please submit your revised manuscript by Aug 08 2024 11:59PM. If you will need more time than this to complete your revisions, please reply to this message or contact the journal office at plosone@plos.org. When you're ready to submit your revision, log on to https://www.editorialmanager.com/pone/ and select the 'Submissions Needing Revision' folder to locate your manuscript file.

Please include the following items when submitting your revised manuscript:

• A rebuttal letter that responds to each point raised by the academic editor and reviewer(s). You should upload this letter as a separate file labeled 'Response to Reviewers'.
• A marked-up copy of your manuscript that highlights changes made to the original version. You should upload this as a separate file labeled 'Revised Manuscript with Track Changes'.
• An unmarked version of your revised paper without tracked changes. You should upload this as a separate file labeled 'Manuscript'.

If you would like to make changes to your financial disclosure, please include your updated statement in your cover letter. Guidelines for resubmitting your figure files are available below the reviewer comments at the end of this letter.

If applicable, we recommend that you deposit your laboratory protocols in protocols.io to enhance the reproducibility of your results. Protocols.io assigns your protocol its own identifier (DOI) so that it can be cited independently in the future. For instructions see: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/s/submission-guidelines#loc-laboratory-protocols. Additionally, PLOS ONE offers an option for publishing peer-reviewed Lab Protocol articles, which describe protocols hosted on protocols.io. Read more information on sharing protocols at https://plos.org/protocols?utm_medium=editorial-email&utm_source=authorletters&utm_campaign=protocols.

We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

Kind regards,

Yongxiang Zhang, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Journal Requirements:

Please review your reference list to ensure that it is complete and correct. If you have cited papers that have been retracted, please include the rationale for doing so in the manuscript text, or remove these references and replace them with relevant current references. Any changes to the reference list should be mentioned in the rebuttal letter that accompanies your revised manuscript. If you need to cite a retracted article, indicate the article’s retracted status in the References list and also include a citation and full reference for the retraction notice.

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #1: (No Response)

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #3: All comments have been addressed

Reviewer #4: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

Reviewer #4: Yes

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3. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

Reviewer #4: Yes

**********

4. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

The PLOS Data policy requires authors to make all data underlying the findings described in their manuscript fully available without restriction, with rare exception (please refer to the Data Availability Statement in the manuscript PDF file). The data should be provided as part of the manuscript or its supporting information, or deposited to a public repository. For example, in addition to summary statistics, the data points behind means, medians and variance measures should be available. If there are restrictions on publicly sharing data—e.g. participant privacy or use of data from a third party—those must be specified.

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

Reviewer #4: Yes

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5. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

PLOS ONE does not copyedit accepted manuscripts, so the language in submitted articles must be clear, correct, and unambiguous. Any typographical or grammatical errors should be corrected at revision, so please note any specific errors here.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

Reviewer #3: Yes

Reviewer #4: Yes

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6. Review Comments to the Author

Please use the space provided to explain your answers to the questions above. You may also include additional comments for the author, including concerns about dual publication, research ethics, or publication ethics. (Please upload your review as an attachment if it exceeds 20,000 characters)

Reviewer #1: The authors partially considered my comments and missed some of them:

1.) Provide importance to your work, including its challenges and advantages as well as drawbacks.

2.) Present your work clearly in Section 3; the current version is not acceptable! Present your methodology with a flowchart.

3.) Section 4 should be revised; write each equation in a clear and rigorous manner.

4.) Include a numerical example; a real-world scenario is recommended for your model to test the robustness and effectiveness of your work.

5.) Provide a sensitivity analysis of the parameters of your model in the numerical section.

6.) Include a discussion section for your theoretical and numerical conclusions as well as future research topics.

Reviewer #2: Summary:

I have carefully reviewed the revised manuscript titled "A Stackelberg-Based Repurchase Strategy for Rail Freight Options (BRFO)" and am pleased to report that the authors have effectively addressed all the concerns raised in my initial review. The revisions have significantly enhanced the clarity, methodological rigor, and overall contribution of the study.

Detailed Comments:

Addressing Previous Concerns: The authors have successfully resolved the issues highlighted in the initial review. The integration of traditional buyback theory with a multi-phase trigeminal tree pricing model and parameter identification through a nonparametric Ito stochastic method is now more clearly explained, addressing the concerns of methodological transparency and robustness.

Methodological Clarity: The authors have provided a detailed explanation of their methodology, including the steps taken to mitigate information asymmetry and market uncertainty. This added clarity greatly enhances the reader’s understanding and confidence in the study’s outcomes.

Data and Analysis: The inclusion of additional data and more comprehensive statistical analyses strengthens the manuscript. The dynamic pricing strategies and market adaptation mechanisms are well-supported by the data, making the findings more compelling.

Literature Review and Contextualization: The revised manuscript includes a more thorough literature review, effectively contextualizing the study within the broader field of railway freight pricing and strategic management. This helps to highlight the novelty and significance of the proposed Buyback Rail Freight Option (BRFO).

Presentation and Organization: The overall presentation of the manuscript has improved. The figures and tables are more informative and easier to interpret, and the organization of the manuscript allows for a more logical flow of information. The construction of a Nash equilibrium framework within the railway freight pricing context is particularly well-presented.

Conclusion:

Given the substantial improvements and the thorough manner in which the authors have addressed the concerns raised, I recommend that the manuscript be accepted for publication. The study presents a valuable contribution to the field of rail freight transactions and strategic management, and will be of significant interest to the readership.

Reviewer #3: 1.Please clearly define the contributions of your paper.

2.There are some grammatical errors in this paper; please review and revise the entire text carefully.

Reviewer #4: Given the manuscript's notable strengths and the authors' thorough approach in addressing the research problem, I recommend it for publication. The study presents an innovative Buyback Rail Freight Option (BRFO), leveraging Stackelberg game theory to enhance strategic management in rail freight transactions. By integrating traditional buyback theory with a multi-phase trigeminal tree pricing model and a nonparametric Ito stochastic method, the authors effectively address information asymmetry and market uncertainty. The resulting dynamic pricing strategies and market adaptation mechanisms offer significant strategic benefits for railway enterprises. This research is a valuable addition to the field and will be of great interest to the journal’s readership.

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7. PLOS authors have the option to publish the peer review history of their article (what does this mean?). If published, this will include your full peer review and any attached files.

If you choose “no”, your identity will remain anonymous but your review may still be made public.

Do you want your identity to be public for this peer review? For information about this choice, including consent withdrawal, please see our Privacy Policy.

Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

Reviewer #3: No

Reviewer #4: No

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[NOTE: If reviewer comments were submitted as an attachment file, they will be attached to this email and accessible via the submission site. Please log into your account, locate the manuscript record, and check for the action link "View Attachments". If this link does not appear, there are no attachment files.]

While revising your submission, please upload your figure files to the Preflight Analysis and Conversion Engine (PACE) digital diagnostic tool, https://pacev2.apexcovantage.com/. PACE helps ensure that figures meet PLOS requirements. To use PACE, you must first register as a user. Registration is free. Then, login and navigate to the UPLOAD tab, where you will find detailed instructions on how to use the tool. If you encounter any issues or have any questions when using PACE, please email PLOS at figures@plos.org. Please note that Supporting Information files do not need this step.

A Stackelberg-Based Repurchase Strategy for Rail Freight Options (BRFO)

PONE-D-24-14767R2

Dear Dr. Guo,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Yongxiang Zhang, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Reviewers' comments: