Title: Determinants of strategic collaborations in container terminal operations

Authors: Rong Her Chiu; Christina W.Y. Wong; Taih Cherng Lirn; Kuo Chung Shang

Addresses: Department of Shipping and Transportation Management, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2, Beining Road, Keelung City, 20224, Taiwan ' Business Division, Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 11 Yuk Choi Road, Hung Hom, Hong Kong ' Department of Shipping and Transportation Management, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2, Beining Road, Keelung City, 20224, Taiwan ' Department of Transportation Science, National Taiwan Ocean University, 2, Beining Road, Keelung City, 20224, Taiwan

Abstract: This study examines the determinants of selecting strategic collaboration alternatives in container terminal operations, specifically in the port of Kaohsiung. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) approach was used to examine the critical factors affecting strategic collaborations in the container terminal context. Results reveal that cost is the most important factor, followed by efficiency, service, risk, and compatibility factors. The findings suggest that joint venture is the best strategic collaborations pattern in container terminal operations. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings for container terminal operators are also discussed.

Keywords: strategic collaboration; container terminals; terminal operations; analytical hierarchy process; AHP; container ports; Taiwan; Kaohsiung; cost; efficiency; service; risk; compatibility; joint ventures.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTL.2015.067849

International Journal of Shipping and Transport Logistics, 2015 Vol.7 No.2, pp.156 - 173

Received: 14 Nov 2012
Accepted: 12 Nov 2013

Published online: 06 Mar 2015 *

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