Photis M. Panayides

Global supply chain and port/terminal: integration and competitiveness

Much has been said of the importance of port and terminal integration in the supply chain. Authors have stressed the importance of agility to the port environment, which involves being proactive along supply chains, facilitation of intermodal integration, as well as organizational integration and partnership between ports and users. Despite the well articulated importance of the issues, little has been offered in terms of conceptualizations and empirical evidence of what really is meant by port/terminal integration in the supply chain, how such integration can be measured and quantified as well as the extent to which different ports/terminals in the world are integrated in the supply chain and competitive performance implications arising thereof. This paper aims to make a contribution in this respect by (i) reviewing the relevant literature on supply chain integration and port integration in the supply chain, (ii) conceptualizing measures for port/terminal integration in the supply chain, (iii) empirically testing the influence of port/terminal integration in the supply chain on port competitiveness and (iv) outlining the significance and value of the study for port operators, shipping lines, transport providers and for further research.

Enhancing innovation capability through relationship management and implications for performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine empirically the antecedents and consequences of innovativeness or innovation capability of logistics service providers (LSPs). In particular relationship orientation is examined as an antecedent to innovativeness that will in turn lead to higher levels of logistics service quality and firm performance. The outcomes aim at contributing towards understanding the main drivers of innovativeness and the outcomes of developing the capability to innovate.Design/methodology/approach – Data to empirically analyze the four research hypotheses on the relationships between relationship orientation, innovativeness, logistics service quality and firm performance are collected via a survey of a random sample of LSPs in Hong Kong and analyzed using structural equation modelling via LISREL 8.52. The LISREL diagnostics indicated good fit of the measurement and structural models, providing supporting evidence to the hypothesized causal relationships.Findings – The empirical ...

A conceptual application of cooperative game theory to liner shipping strategic alliances

Since its advent, the liner shipping industry has been characterized by fierce competition and cooperation amongst the member carriers. In recent years, almost all the liners have sought extensive cooperation with others, as reflected mainly by the formation of strategic shipping alliances. Despite this, there are still some liners who prefer the ‘go-it-alone’ policy and have achieved relative success. It seems that cooperation is not always necessary for a liner companys success. It follows that a study that aims to find the rationale behind liner cooperation (or non-cooperation) is of great significance. Over many years of development, game theory has proved to be a useful tool in the study of economics. It is analytically applicable in this market. With these arguments in mind, this paper aims to apply cooperative game theory to analyse co-operation among members of liner shipping strategic alliances. This will involve: (i) presenting a detailed and systematic analysis of liner shipping strategic alliances: (ii) a concise overview of the development of game theory with specific focus on cooperative game theory, and (iii) deducing a conceptual framework through the application of cooperative game theory to liner shipping strategic alliances. The accomplishment of the aforementioned objectives will enhance understanding of inter-organizational relationships and decision-making behaviour in the liner shipping sector.

A Critical Analysis of DEA Applications to Seaport Economic Efficiency Measurement

Abstract The significant increase in the adoption of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for seaport efficiency measurement renders a literature synthesis and critical analysis of the application of the technique relevant and worthwhile. This paper provides a thorough review and critical analysis of the major studies undertaken to date, and highlights some problems and limitations in the application of the technique in the seaport context particularly in the specification of parameters, the sampling domain and the type of DEA to be applied. The paper informs the decision process as to the merits and limitations of DEA approaches for seaport efficiency measurement and makes a contribution towards methodological improvement by considering variations not yet applied to the port sector.

Evaluating the integration of seaport container terminals in supply chains

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to define and empirically develop measures to evaluate the extent of integration of seaport container terminals in supply chains.Design/methodology/approach – A literature review identified four key variables hypothesized to be part of the higher‐order construct of “terminal supply chain integration (TESCI)”. The hypotheses were theoretically justified a priori and data for operationalizing the conceptualized variables obtained via a large‐scale survey of container terminal operators. A model was developed and validated using confirmatory factor analysis.Findings – The validated variables of the higher‐order construct of TESCI included “information and communication systems”, “value‐added services”, “multimodal systems and operations” and “supply chain integration practices”.Research limitations/implications – The study develops measures from the standpoint of the container terminal (the centric supply chain actor). Supply chains involve a network of companies and it...

Port integration in global supply chains: measures and implications for maritime logistics

The aim of this article is to define and empirically develop measures of seaport integration in global supply chains and to infer implications for maritime logistics. A literature review identified four key parameters hypothesised to be part of the higher-order construct of ‘terminal supply chain integration’ (TESCI). Data for operationalizing the conceptualised variables were obtained via a large scale survey of container terminal operators. A model was developed and validated using confirmatory factor analysis. The validated parameters of the higher-order construct of ‘TESCI’ included ‘information and communication systems’, ‘value-added services’, ‘multimodal systems and operations’, and ‘supply chain integration practices’. The study provides implications for maritime logistics by focusing on key parameters such as determination of costs, revenues, performance, productivity, and competitive advantage for international supply chains.

AN EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF RELATIONAL COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN PROFESSIONAL SHIP MANAGEMENT

Intense competition in many sectors across the maritime industry and in professional ship management in particular, means that the quest for achieving competitiveness will continue and intensify. A review of the current strategies across many sectors of the industry indicates the importance of forging stable partnerships for the achievement of competitiveness. Considering that the capability to form a relationship is an intangible resource (as depicted in resource-advantage theory), an empirical assessment in the context of ship management was undertaken. The assessment aimed to identify the type of relationships present in ship management, and succeeded in classifying those relationships into four distinct groups. The central thesis of the paper is that maritime organizations in general, and ship management companies in particular, may utilize their intangible relational resources in order to achieve competitive advantage. Based on the classification of ship management relationships, implications for managers are discussed.

International Market Success among Smaller Agri-food Companies: Some Case Study Evidence

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the relevance of key marketing concepts, including market orientation, marketing competencies and resources, and competitive marketing strategies, in explaining international market success among smaller agri‐food companies.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a multi‐case research, involving five small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), from different agri‐food sub‐sectors. The research employed a semi‐structured interview guide, and subjected the generated data to meaning‐oriented content analysis procedure.Findings – Evidence points to the influential impact of adopting a marketing orientation; developing advantage‐generating competencies in the product, channel and relationship management areas; leveraging strategically‐relevant managerial, production and brand/reputational resources; and deploying appropriate competitive marketing strategies.Research limitations/implications – Limitations and implications of the research generally relate to the use of ...

Logistics service providers: An empirical study of marketing strategies and company performance

Recognising the practical and theoretical importance of strategy research in a logistics context, this study investigates the impact of product–market and resource-based competitive strategies on various measures of company performance of logistics service providers. Multivariate techniques are used to test four research hypotheses relating to the impact of cost advantage, differentiation, market segmentation and market orientation on performance. The findings suggest that both product–market and resource-based strategies may account for variation in performance among logistics service providers. Specifically, service differentiation, market segmentation and inter-functional co-ordination have been found to exert a positive impact on various measures of company performance, unlike cost advantage, which does not seem to be a significant predictor of performance in this context. Theoretical, managerial and research implications emanating from the findings are discussed.

The vertical disintegration of ship management: choice criteria for third party selection and evaluation

An assessment of the rationale for the vertical disintegration of ship management suggests that there might be compelling economic benefits for the separation of ownership from management. In this context, as a means for developing effective marketing strategies, it is important for ship managers to know the criteria used by current and prospective clients for ship manager selection and evaluation. The aim of this paper is to empirically identify the dimensions for ship manager selection and performance evaluation and their relative importance and to discuss the implications for marketing emanating from such an assessment. The methodology adopted includes the collection of secondary and primary data, both from ship managers and their clients, using interviews and a mail survey. The results indicate the prevailing importance of certain dimensions in selection (e.g. technical ability, reputation, competency) and evaluation (responsiveness, trustworthiness, technical ability), whereas it also found that price alone is not perceived to be as important in ship manager selection. It is concluded that placing emphasis on such dimensions in the formulation of a marketing strategy will contribute towards the attraction and retention of clients, whereas cost-cutting measures to allow price reduction, as well as advertising, will be ineffective over the long term.