Title: Competencies required by port personnel in the new era: conceptual framework and case study

Authors: Vinh V. Thai

Addresses: Division of Infrastructure Systems and Maritime Studies, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, N1-01c-81, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore

Abstract: Nowadays, ports have transformed from a purely ship-shore interface into logistical platforms where logistics-related activities occur, and are also important clusters of economic activities. The role of seaports is therefore essential since these transport nodes are important and indispensable for the effective and efficient management of flows of products and information in the supply chain. With this new role, it is critical that port personnel possess necessary competencies to contribute to port efficiency and turn the port into an effective supply chain partner. This research issue is explored through a conceptual model of competencies constructed based on thorough literature review and in-depth interviews and validated by a survey with port personnel both in Singapore and Vietnam. As a result, important managerial insights are drawn to the design and implementation of human resource development policy for ports.

Keywords: competency requirements; seaports; human resource development; HRD; Singapore; Vietnam; port personnel; port efficiency; shipping logistics; supply chain management; SCM; flow management; competencies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2012.044135

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2012 Vol.4 No.1, pp.49 - 77

Published online: 14 Aug 2014 *

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