Assunta Di Vaio

Monetary and non-monetary value creation in cruise port destinations: an empirical assessment

The cruise tourism industry has been the fastest growing segment of the global travel sector over the last decades. Due to its dramatic expansion, this sector has recently attracted an increasing interest from researchers and practitioners. Despite this attention, however, some literature gaps still persist. Indeed, extant contributions facing the cruise tourism (positive) impact on the local community neglect to investigate the potential overall value disruption caused by cruise traffic diversion towards other destinations. Therefore, this paper measures the overall value potentially generated for the territory by a cruise company, which is not a shareholder of the facility in a port of call. The monetary and non-monetary value is estimated using empirical data collected from 208 cruise passengers and 64 crewmembers. The results show the total amount of passenger, crew and cruise-line expenditures (i.e., monetary impact), as well as the non-monetary effect triggered by word-of-mouth behaviour. The main findings yield several implications for academics, managers and policymakers.

AIS and MCS for Port Community Systems: An Empirical Analysis from Italy

This study investigates the role of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and Management Control Systems (MCS) in the information management within seaports when an information technology platform has been adopted, such as the Port Community Systems (PCSs). We conducted a literature review on PCSs and on how AIS and MCS could contribute to the platform in order to support the decision-making processes of port players, like forwarder and shipping agents. Starting from previous studies focused on Italian seaports, by using the case study methodology, we collected data through semi-structured interviews to managers of the selected seaport. Indeed, we have outlined the usefulness in adopting AIS and MCS for PCSs in the forwarder and shipping agents perspective.

AIS and Reporting in the Port Community Systems: An Italian Case Study in the Landlord Port Model

The aim of this chapter is to analyze the role of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) in the information management when in the relationships system, characterizing the port communities (PCs), an information technology platform has been adopted, such as the Port Community System (PCS). More specifically, drawing upon the existing literature on the architecture of PCS for the information flows management among the port users, this chapter aims to investigate the nature and role of reporting to support the decision-making of Port Authorities (PAs) in the landlord port model.

Monitoring and Measuring Event Decision-Making Process Using Key Performance Indicators: Evidence From Italian Cruise Terminals

This paper investigates the control systems and coordination mechanisms applied in the relationships between cruise line companies and terminal concessionaires in the cruise events management when the ships are stopping on the quay. Using a case study methodology and focusing on the Italian context, this exploratory study, through a qualitative approach, interviewed two main cruise terminal concessionaires and indirectly observed events planned by cruise companies in sea ports selected for outlining the role of control systems, coordination, and knowledge sharing between the players in cruise events decision-making processes. The first results show that the cruise event management processes on ship berthing and on terminal are separated. The cruise companies don’t involve terminal concessionaires in the event organization considering them only service suppliers. Also, the concessionaires conceive the events planned in the cruise infrastructures as a business unit to optimize the space use, without any forms of coordination or control with cruise companies. Knowledge sharing, coordination, and control among the two players could support the planning, and management of “new cruise events” in which the visitors may be led from the infrastructure to the ships stopped on the quay. This study offers a set of key performance indicators to support the management, control, and coordination of each inter-organizational relationship identified. Managerial implications and suggestions for improving cruise events management have been provided.

Measurement and Control Challenges in the Human Capital Management for Mentoring Relationships System

The aim of this paper is to identify and describe possible measurement indicators for monitoring the performance within a mentoring relationships system. We propose to investigate which factors can provide an adequate assessment of mentoring recognized as one innovative and specific technique to support the human resources management policies within any organizations. We analyze mentoring programs applied in different organizational settings evidencing their main functions and application areas and trying to evidence if and how some specific factors can affect their effectiveness. Starting from these dimensions, we develop and analyze key performance indicators which can support the mentoring evaluation process. This is a theoretical study that, through a review of the literature on mentoring topic, allows us to identify and evidence a set of effective and successful key performance indicators. This study outlines some relevant key factors for generating and developing effective mentoring programs by systematizing and clarifying the main contributions on this topic and identifying new research perspectives.

Management Control Systems for the Water Concessionaires Governance: A Multiple Cases Study in the Italian Seaports

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the information and knowledge management regarding the carried out processes into the seaport relationships system in the Italian market. We focus on the relationships established between the water concessionaires and Port Authorities (PAs), in order to examine the main tools developed and adopted for facilitating their information and knowledge sharing, recognizing their role in the performing of tasks assigned to the PAs by the Law 84/1994. In the last decades, some reforms have significantly changed the port facilities management because of the need to reduce costs and guarantee high quality services. According to the main frameworks on the topic, we investigate how management control, information systems and reporting tools can facilitate the coordination and integration between water concessionaires and PAs in order to support the long-term decision in the seaport, following a systemic viewpoint. This qualitative work, adopting a multiple cases study methodology, compare four different ports in the Italian seaport system (Civitavecchia, Naples, Trieste, and Venice). Despite the crucial role played by the tools investigated in the information sharing and coordination process, we observe still the lack of an integrative information system—in terms of a shared digital platform—and, also, the presence of strong resistances by both the players to deeply communicate and effectively and efficiently interact to provide the water facility.

Information management and control systems in the port community: insights and challenges from regulations

This paper aims at investigating the role of information management and control systems in the inter-organisational relationships between the Port Authority (PA) and port users, adopting an information technology platform, as the Port Community Systems (PCSs). We focus on the effects of the PCSs implementation on the information management, and control systems used to support the decision making of the Port Authorities (PAs). We conduct a literature review on regulations and digitalisation of operating processes in the seaports, and the related information management. Through the case study methodology, we used semi-structured interviews to port users and PA in an Italian seaport. Drawing from perspectives of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC), we identify some key performance indicators (KPIs) addressed to measure and control the information and data flows concerning the processes within the inter-organisational relationships in the port community. The study provides interesting theoretical and managerial implications, especially highlighting the positive effects of PCSs.