[DSRP Evidence](https://dsrpevidence.org/)

# Optimal coalition structures in supply chains: a cooperative game approach to economic lot-sizing in emerging markets

Razghandi et al., 2026, Operations Management Research — Operations Research

Patterns: [Systems](https://dsrpevidence.org/pattern/systems)

## In short

Independent parts (autonomous retailers) combine into a whole (a stable coalition) whose emergent social-welfare outcome exceeds what any part achieves alone.

## What they found (results)

A mixed-integer least-core cooperative-game model, tested on Iran's rebar retail industry and validated with Design of Experiments, found optimal stable coalition formation and the greatest social-welfare improvement occurred when demand was high across periods and joint ordering secured the lowest supplier price.

These researchers were not testing DSRP. The finding is theirs; the correspondence to DSRP is drawn by this site.

[Source](https://doi.org/10.1007/s12063-026-00616-w)