Ports' supply chain management (SCM) strategies and their impacts on performance : a partial least squares approach on the users of Busan Port

摘要

Based on the combined view of Resource Based Theory (RBT) and Supply Chain Management Theory (SCMT), this study aims to investigate the impact of Port Authorities' (PAs') SCM strategies on Port focused Supply Chains' (PSCs) SCM strategies, PSCs' resources, and PSCs' Supply Chain Performance (SCP). Considering the different roles of PAs and private players in ports, the concept 'Port focused Supply Chain' (PSC), including container terminals, inland transport companies and depots, is adopted for the current study. After a literature review and exploratory factor analysis, twelve specific variables, i.e. PAs' 'concessions', 'using IT', 'marketing', 'support for hinterland and FTZ', PSCs' 'vertical integration', 'relationship orientation', 'skills', 'physical 'resources', and PSCs' 'reliability', 'flexibility', 'costs', and 'service effectiveness' were chosen for the PLS (Partial Least Squares) analysis. The questionnaire survey was distributed to 1,208 surveyees, i.e. experts in headquarters, branches, agents of the shipping liner companies and freight forwarders using Korean and Chinese ports. From 12th March to 3rd May 2007,124 responses were collected. It is shown that PAs' 'using IT' strategy can positively affect PSCs' SCP through 'PSCs' relationship orientation', and 'skills'. Among the variables of PSCs' SCM, 'relationship orientation' makes a stronger impact on PSCs' resources than 'vertical integration'. 'Skills' is more powerful in determining PSCs' SCP than 'physical resources'. While 'physical resources' has a significant relationship with two variables (cost and service effectiveness), 'Skills' has positive influences on all the four variables of PSCs' SCP. Singapore's SCP exceeded the SCP scores of other rivals, i.e. Hong Kong, Busan, Shanghai, and Gwangyang port. Except Shanghai port, the container cargo volumes of the other four ports were consistent with their SCP. In conclusion, the implication for PAs can be that PSCs' performance can be improved by utilizing coherent SCM strategies. Further research investigating the impacts of PAs' SCM strategies is recommended.