David Warnock-Smith

Liberalization and Strategic Change in Air Transport: An Examination of Current and Future Variations in Tourist Traffic to and from Egypt Resulting from Policy Changes at EgyptAir

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of changes in EgyptAirs corporate strategy on its role and significance in relation to the Egyptian tourism sector. In-depth open interviews with top-level personnel were combined with a before–after time-series analysis of key market data in order to identify any early effects of EgyptAirs strategic changes on important international markets for inbound and outbound tourism. The studys major finding is that EgyptAir has taken some significant steps to target higher-yielding tourist passengers travelling from Egypt to Europe, Asia and North America and vice versa by fortifying its position at Cairo, improving its overall service offering and joining the worlds largest strategic airline alliance (Star Alliance). Some early gains have been noted in these markets for EgyptAir, while at the same time an avoidance strategy has been noted in relation to lower-yield package holiday-makers who, despite forming a growing share of total demand, are already served by a highly competitive mix of foreign charter and scheduled airlines. Tourist numbers were found to increase after the strategic changes at EgyptAir. This increase was either facilitated directly by EgyptAir or indirectly as other carriers took advantage of the additional opportunities to serve markets that were dominated or neglected by EgyptAir prior to its air policy induced change of strategic direction. The general push towards liberalization in the wider Middle East region also partly led to these strategic changes.

Productivity change in Nigerian seaports after reform: a Malmquist productivity index decomposition approach

ABSTRACT During the 1990s, Nigerian seaports were considered inefficient, unsafe due to massive cargo theft (wharf rat phenomenon) and one of the most expensive port systems in the world. This resulted in long turnaround times for ships and increased container dwell times. As a result, port operations were transferred to the private sector through concession contracts. This paper employs a Malmquist productivity index (MPI) technique to benchmark pre-and post-reform total factor productivity growth of the six major Nigeria seaports (Apapa, Calabar, Onne, Port Harcourt, TinCan Island and Warri) for the period 2000–2011 which represents six years before (2000–2005) and six years after (2006–2011) the reform. The results indicate progress in technical efficiency of the ports after reform but deterioration in technological progress. Overall productivity growth was higher in the pre-concession period compared to the post-concession period. The source of pre-concession period productivity growth was technological progress while the change in productivity of the post-concession period is generated by an increase in scale efficiency. This suggests that concessionaires have not brought in the much anticipated investment in modern technology to drive port efficiency. The ports of Calabar and Apapa experienced the highest productivity growth while lowest result was Onne.

Strategy and competitive rivalry in the original equipment manufacturer single aisle market

The development of new jet aircraft has become the focal point of competition within the commercial aviation industry, pushing product development and positioning strategies to the core of the competitive game. This paper explores the competitive forces of the single aisle aircraft manufacturing market and how the rivalry between competitors affects their respective strategies. A survey was distributed to industry executives, along with interviews with key senior managers, to uncover and critique strategies the respective airframe original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) adopted. It was found that movements in the engine OEM industry were a key determinant in the competitive positioning of airframe OEMs during the period of this study ranging from 2004-2013. The focus OEMs established different strategies, considering the competitive actions of their rivals, to succeed in the single-aisle segment. Bombardier followed a niche strategy, differentiating itself in that niche by developing a clean sheet design aircraft. Airbus and Boeing use their competencies to create a broad cost and differentiation strategy, respectively. Embraer competes with its counterparts by adopting a niche strategy coupled with cost leadership in that niche.