Eon-Seong Lee

Coopetitive networks, knowledge acquisition and maritime logistics value

Knowledge acquisition may help maritime operators to maximise maritime logistic value. The operators can acquire knowledge through being embedded in a coopetitive (viz. mixture of cooperation and competition) network. This paper aims to examine how effectively maritime logistics operators coordinate the inter-organisational coopetitive relationships in order to acquire knowledge. The paper also diagnoses the effectiveness of the acquired knowledge on the improvement of maritime logistics value. A theoretical framework is established to show the relationships among factors and is empirically examined through both an explorative interview method and a Delphi survey analysis. The findings show that (i) a high level of cooperation in a coopetitive network facilitates knowledge acquisition, (ii) competition in the network has, to some extent, promoted the positive impact of the cooperation on knowledge acquisition, and (iii) the acquired knowledge has a positive influence on the improvement of maritime logistics value.

Knowledge management for maritime logistics value: discussing conceptual issues

This paper introduces the concept of maritime logistics value as one of the most significant strategic goals that maritime operators want to achieve. The value is reflected in operational efficiency (e.g. reducing lead time and business costs) and service effectiveness (e.g. flexibility, responsiveness and reliability in the service). Drawing from key theories and practices in strategic management such as knowledge-based perspective and social network embeddedness perspective, this paper adopts a knowledge management strategy as a way to create and sustain the maritime logistics value. A conceptual framework is established for the exploration of the way to acquire knowledge and the effectiveness of the acquired knowledge in maximising the maritime logistics value. Following the parameters of this framework, the positive relationship between social networks, knowledge acquisition and maritime logistics value is identified, and its relevant theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Competition and Co-operation in Maritime Logistics Operations

This chapter aims to examine environmental challenges that maritime logistics operators have recently faced with, and to investigate strategic ways that maritime logistics operators can effectively manage competition and co-operation with their rivals for better responding to those challenges and thus achieving their strategic goals, i.e. maximisation of maritime logistics value. In order to address the aforementioned issues, this chapter adopts social network embeddedness and knowledge management perspectives. Based on the literature, a theoretical framework is established to show the positive relationship between co-opetitive networks, knowledge acquisition and maritime logistics value. A comprehensive survey to existing literature reveals that a high level of co-operation in a co-opetitive network (i.e., high numbers of and strong relationships between maritime logistics operators) facilitates knowledge acquisition, and competition promotes the positive impact of co-operation on knowledge acquisition. The acquired knowledge helps to improve maritime logistics value. This outcome will certainly provide maritime operators with a strategic insight into the identification of determinants and/or sources for competitive advantage and greater organisational performance from inter-organisational coordination and knowledge-based perspectives.

The effect of shipping knowledge and absorptive capacity on organizational innovation and logistics value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine what types of shipping knowledge are crucial in order for shipping companies to survive in dynamic business environment, and to investigate how the shipping knowledge affects the company’s performance (i.e. organizational innovation and logistics value). This paper also diagnoses the moderating effect of absorptive capacity on the relationship between the shipping knowledge and its effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the literature, a theoretical framework and relevant hypotheses are established so as to show associated relationships between shipping knowledge, absorptive capacity, and organizational innovation and logistics value. Data are collected for an empirical analysis and a moderated hierarchical regression analysis is conducted to test the hypotheses. Findings – Results show that a high level of shipping knowledge has a positive influence on the organizational innovation and logistics value of shipping companies. The findings als...

Knowledge Resource in Maritime Transport Industry: A Case Analysis

Abstract In recent years, maritime transport operators (i.e. port operators, shipping lines and freight forwarders) have been faced with a rapidly changing business environment. As a result of this, they have been forced to make complex decisions in ways that will allow them to effectively respond to these environmental challenges. This paper attempts to examine which environmental challenges maritime transport operators consider to be most serious, and tries to determine what resource may help the maritime transport operators to successfully cope with these dynamic environmental challenges. Drawing from key theories and practices in strategic management, this paper suggests that knowledge resource would be a key resource that may help maritime transport operators to survive in the dynamic marketplace. A case analysis which targets Korean maritime transport companies is conducted in order to empirically examine the effectiveness of knowledge resource, in both reducing environmental uncertainty and in helping companies to flexibly respond to the environmental challenges with which they are faced. Following this, propositions for maritime operators will be then suggested.

Knowledge Acquisition in the Global Strategic Alliance Network

This paper aims to empirically examine how shipping companies can effectively acquire knowledge from their strategic alliance partners. This paper adopts cooperative network embeddedness mechanism, such as network density and tie closeness, as a channel through which to acquire more knowledge for shipping participants within a strategic alliance network. This study also examines the moderating role of competition between alliance partners in reinforcing the effectiveness of the cooperative relationships on the knowledge acquisition. Based on the literature, hypotheses to predict the aforementioned associations between cooperative network embeddedness and knowledge acquisition and the moderating role of competition in facilitating that association are established. A quantitative research method using survey data conducted in the Korean shipping industry was employed in order to empirically test the presented hypotheses. The results show that if players in a shipping alliance network are embedded in a dense network and have close relationships with their alliance partners, this helps to facilitate a greater degree of knowledge acquisition from the partners; and the impact of network density on the knowledge acquisition would be intensified with the higher level of competition between shipping companies.

Knowledge management systems in maritime logistics

This chapter suggests a knowledge management system as a strategic option for maritime transport (that is, shipping and port) operators to improve maritime logistics value. Maritime logistics value refers to the extent to which maritime transport operators meet logistical demand, for example through the efficient and effective fl ow of physical goods, service and information. If maritime transport operators satisfy customers in logistics and achieve logistical goals, the value of maritime logistics becomes greater. Important requirements for maritime logistics value are operational efficiency (for example, reducing lead time and business costs) and service effectiveness (for example, flexibility and reliability in the service). We hereafter attempt to suggest a new strategic option for maritime transport operators, who also face a volatile business environment, to fulfil the logistical demands and enhance logistics value. Relevant issues are discussed from a strategic management perspective. A knowledge-based approach is well accepted by strategic management scholars when exploring the competitiveness of a firm in a highly uncertain environment, with the knowledge-based benefits recognised as innovation, uniqueness, productivity, service quality and so on. We aim to apply a knowledge management system for maritime logistics value and seek a useful solution for decision makers in maritime business. The next section considers an overview of knowledge management and its importance in maritime logistics value. A conceptual framework is established by embracing associated literature including knowledge management, social network embeddedness, and maritime logistics value. This is followed by an exploratory case study, which leads to three propositions that have strategic implications for maritime transport operators.