Yu, Hang (2024) Building sustaining port competitiveness constructs: a case study of ports in China. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis, 230pp.
Abstract
Background: Ports play a pivotal role in global logistics and the supply chain by handling a significant volume of cargo transported worldwide. The continual investment and expansion of ports necessitate new requirements for their sustainable management. With the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, there has been a profound impact on global economic and trade development, leading to surge shipping prices have surged, and regional policies have also affected port production activities. Global port congestion, labour shortages at ports, and other challenges underscore the critical role of ports in the maritime supply chain. Similarly, trade conflicts between China and the United States have disrupted the normal operations of the port industry, underscoring the significance of ports in the maritime network. Port competitiveness is an increasingly pertinent subject due to the value that ports bring to enterprises in the maritime supply chain, and more broadly, to the economic, social, and environmental development of the regions in which they are located.
Purpose: With the constantly changing port market environment, shipping backgrounds, and local policies, the factors affecting port competitiveness need to be reconsidered and updated. Some factors may have become less influential on port competition than before, while others, previously overlooked or lacking in-depth research, may potentially improve port competitiveness. To address this gap, this research aims to explore issues important for port competitiveness in Chinese ports and how can port competitiveness be improved through sustainable competitiveness strategies. Insights are drawn from cutting-edge topics of research in port management, including port supply chain integration, port collaboration and port sustainability, for the investigation of the port competitiveness and competition.
Approach: First, a systematic literature review was conducted, comprehensively gathering and reviewing 81 journal papers on port competitiveness published in the past two decades. Research trends, gaps, and opportunities in the field were discussed based on a critical analysis of the port competitiveness mechanism. Then, a grounded theory approach was utilized to systematically construct the theory of sustaining port competitiveness grounded in the data. This research utilized a theoretical sampling approach to investigate how port operators and stakeholders understand sustaining port competitiveness. The data were primarily collected through 35 semi-structured interviews with representatives of experts, Chinese port companies, and stakeholders, including shipping lines, cargo forwarders, and port service providers. After data collection, the strategy of coding and comparative analysis was adopted to categorize issues and construct the prototype of the theory. By summarizing findings and comparing them with the literature, several dimensional frameworks and the model of sustaining port competitiveness were constructed.
Findings: The study's findings suggest that China’s port competition and competitiveness are influenced by several cutting-edge trends in the shipping and supply chain industry, such as port supply chain integration, port cooperation, and port sustainability. The results of the data analysis show that the sustainable competitiveness of the port can be classified into four dimensions: resource-based advantages, platform advantages, network advantages, and sustainable advantages. A theoretical framework was accordingly developed to deeply understand the relationships of these four dimensions to a port’s sustainable competitiveness. Resource-based advantages represent the traditional strengths that ports possess, typically not easily altered. Achieving sustainable competitiveness requires two major strategic advantages: platform and network advantages, which can be enhanced by establishing appropriate strategies. To maintain a high level of competitiveness in the long term, ports need to consider the potential elements of sustainable advantages.
Moreover, this research discussed seven sustainable port competitiveness strategies, which are: 1) Attracting investment and construction; 2) Establishing port alliance; 3) Attracting shipping companies; 4) Attracting cargo from the hinterland; 5) Optimizing logistics service; 6) Developing innovative technology; 7) Capitalizing on the policy and national strategies.
Contributions: This research significantly advances the theoretical landscape of port and shipping studies. It enhances understanding by conducting a comprehensive literature review, introducing the concept of sustainable port competitiveness, and proposing conceptual frameworks. The study offers fresh perspectives on port competitiveness from port resources, port supply chain, cooperation, and sustainability angles, paving the way for diversified approaches in future research. Additionally, it provides practical implications for both port operators and policy makers, guiding operators to enhance their competitive edge, attract investors, and optimize strategies for long-term competitiveness. Policy makers can leverage insights to design policies that encourage sustainable development, eco-friendly practices, trade facilitation, investment, and skill development, fostering a collaborative approach that contributes to the industry's resilience and positive socio-economic and environmental impact.
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