Analysis of container throughput: Demand forecast and seaport competitiveness assessment

Seaports play a crucial role in the container industry, where they act as important nodes in the transport chain to facilitate international trade. In a competitive market, port capacity plays a significant role in defining its competitive position to attract demand and avoid congestion. Failing to provide suitable capacity results in the loss of market share. Therefore, port decision-makers face the challenge of maintaining and developing suitable port facilities to provide efficient services to port users. One of the aspects that decision-makers consider in the planning and development process is analyzing container demand. The analysis of container demand can be challenging due to the dynamic changes in international trade, port location and accessibility, competition from other ports in the same geographic region, and port selection behavior of shippers and liner companies. This dissertation focuses on analyzing container demand; specifically, it has two main objectives: Forecasting short-term container demand and assessing the competitiveness position of the port. To forecast demand, the univariate time series stochastic approach is applied based on the methodology of Box-Jenkin, and because it only requires the historical container throughput. The developed model is used to forecast container demand of Jeddah port. The proposed model provides accurate forecasts with a confidence interval of 93 Percent. The systematic forecasting approach provides the ability to update and apply the methodology continuously in the future. To assess port competitiveness, spatial interaction models (SIM) are applied to estimate the impact of port performance, hinterland accessibility, and geographic location on the container flow. Both temporal and spatial data are collected for the four major ports in Saudi Arabia, which are analyzed in the case studies and SIM calibrations. The analyses performed in this study revealed that port users, as the results of modernization and privatization of the transport sector of the country, are provided with feasible port alternatives to efficiently transport freight, leading to fierce inter-port competition. The analysis also reveals that maritime connectivity of ports located in the Red Sea have a competitive advantage that allow them to attract more container flow and reach further hinterland regions when freight rates increase. This is due to their strategic location in the major maritime shipping routes. However, the availability of railway connectivity provides cheaper inland alternative that restricts the importance of maritime accessibility. This dissertation should be of interest to policy and port-decision makers. The applied forecast model is important in the planning phase of resource allocation and facility improvements because it provides a reliable instrument to obtain insight into the future demand. The assessment of port competition helps decision-makers in evaluating the impact of port strategies by understanding the competitive position of the ports. Recognizing the scarcity of systematic research on Saudi Arabian seaports suggests that these forms of forecast analysis and competitive assessment will benefit the port sector in the country

The impact of social and temporal job demands and resources on emotional exhaustion and turnover intention among flight attendants

Based on a survey among flight attendants from a DACH-country-based airline, this study examines the effects and relative importance of social and temporal determinants of emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. Results suggest that scheduling satisfaction is the most influential predictor of both emotional exhaustion and turnover intention, followed by time pressure and surface acting for emotional Exhaustion and surface acting and organizational support for turnover intention. From a practical standpoint, these results thus suggest that the most important predictors of emotional exhaustion and turnover intention can be shaped and influenced quite well by management

An empirical investigation on EDI determinants and outcomes in Malaysian industry

Government involvement is the main cause for the EDI acceptance in Southeast Asian countries (United Nation of Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific - UNESCAP, 1996). This is significantly different from the EDI developments in the western countries in which private sector involvement in EDI is substantial (UNESCAP, 1996). As an initial step to spur EDI implementation in private sector, the Malaysian Government has imposed all companies that engage in international trade to implement EDI by doing electronic customs declarations through CIS (Customs Information System) DagangNet. For this, the Government also spent over RM 300 million to fully implement EDI nationwide (Star, 2003 December 3). Nevertheless, such implementation is not successful and it has been claimed that “EDI is not yet fully implemented even though it had been initiated since late 1990s, besides electronic data is also still not recognized for legal customs declaration purposes even if it was meant for paperless and electronic customs declarations” (Star, 2003 December 3). To date, there are dual customs declarations, both electronic and manual, in practices where the sole typical electronic transaction is registration of the customs form (Jimmy, 2005; Star, 2005 July 11). This is in contrast with electronic customs declarations by other countries such as Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore where there is a full electronic declaration including electronic payment for declarations charges (Jimmy, 2005; Star, 2005 July 11; Chau, 2001)

Fatores que afetam a adoção de análises de Big Data em empresas

With the total quantity of data doubling every two years, the low price of computing and data storage, make Big Data analytics (BDA) adoption desirable for companies, as a tool to get competitive advantage. Given the availability of free software, why have some companies failed to adopt these techniques? To answer this question, we extend the unified theory of technology adoption and use of technology model (UTAUT) adapted for the BDA context, adding two variables: resistance to use and perceived risk. We used the level of implementation of these techniques to divide companies into users and non-users of BDA. The structural models were evaluated by partial least squares (PLS). The results show the importance of good infrastructure exceeds the difficulties companies face in implementing it. While companies planning to use Big Data expect strong results, current users are more skeptical about its performance.Con la cantidad total de datos duplicándose cada dos años, el bajo precio de la informática y del almacenamiento de datos, la adopción del análisis Big Data (BDA) es altamente deseable para las empresas, como un instrumento para conseguir una ventaja competitiva. Dada la disponibilidad de software libre, ¿por qué algunas empresas no han adoptado estas técnicas? Para responder a esta pregunta, ampliamos la teoría unificada de la adopción y uso de tecnología (UTAUT) adaptado para el contexto BDA, agregando dos variables: resistencia al uso y riesgo percibido. Utilizamos el grado de implantación de estas técnicas para dividir las empresas entre: usuarias y no usuarias de BDA. Los modelos estructurales fueron evaluados con partial least squres (PLS). Los resultados muestran que la importancia de una buena infraestructura excede las dificultades que enfrentan las empresas para implementarla. Mientras que las compañías que planean usar BDA esperan muy buenos resultados, las usuarias actuales son más escépticos sobre su rendimiento.Com a quantidade total de dados duplicando a cada dois anos, o baixo preço da computação e do armazenamento de dados tornam a adoção de análises de Big Data (BDA) desejável para as empresas, como aquelas que obterão uma vantagem competitiva. Dada a disponibilidade de software livre, por que algumas empresas não adotaram essas técnicas? Para responder a essa pergunta, estendemos a teoria unificada de adoção e uso de tecnologia (UTAUT) adaptado para o contexto do BDA, adicionando duas variáveis: resistência ao uso e risco percebido. Usamos a nível da implementação da tecnologia para dividir as empresas em usuários e não usuários de técnicas de BDA. Os modelos estruturais foram avaliados por partial least squares (PLS). Os resultados mostram que a importância de uma boa infraestrutura excede as dificuldades que as empresas enfrentam para implementá-la. Enquanto as empresas que planejam usar Big Data esperam resultados fortes, os usuários atuais são mais céticos em relação ao seu desempenho

Essential Micro-foundations for Contemporary Business Operations: Top Management Tangible Competencies, Relationship-based Business Networks and Environmental Sustainability

Although various studies have emphasized linkages between firm competencies, networks and sustainability at organizational level, the links between top management tangible competencies (e.g., contemporary relevant quantitative-focused education such as big data analytics and data-driven applications linked with the internet of things, relevant experience and analytical business applications), relationship-based business networks (RBNs) and environmental sustainability have not been well established at micro-level, and there is a literature gap in terms of investigating these relationships. This study examines these links based on the unique data collected from 175 top management representatives (chief executive officers and managing directors) working in food import and export firms headquartered in the UK and New Zealand. Our results from structural equation modelling indicate that top management tangible competencies (TMTCs) are the key determinants for building RBNs, mediating the correlation between TMTCs and environmental sustainability. Directly, the competencies also play a vital role towards environmental practices. The findings further depict that relationship-oriented firms perform better compared to those which focus less on such networks. Consequently, our findings provide a deeper understanding of the micro-foundations of environmental sustainability based on TMTCs rooted in the resource-based view and RBNs entrenched in the social network theory. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings, and we provide suggestions for future research

Temporal and spatial constructs in service firms' internationalization patterns: The determinants of the accelerated growth of Emerging MNEs

AbstractThe recent years have witnessed an unprecedented surge of Emerging Multinational Enterprises (EMNEs), i.e. firms from the emerging economies that have started internationalization very late and have expanded abroad in a rather accelerated fashion.In particular, pace and international diversification emerge as distinctive features of service EMNEs' successful internationalization patterns, inducing scholars to question the applicability of traditional internationalization theories to EMNEs. The Linkage–Leverage–Learning (LLL) Model and the springboard perspective identified some of the critical EMNEs uniqueness and investigated potential antecedents of their abnormal patterns. Nevertheless, previous contributions neglected to provide a solid empirical base for measuring spatio-temporal dimensions of EMNEs' internationalization.This paper aims to empirically investigate the dimensions affecting the pace at which EMNEs enlarge their geographic scope, by performing OLS regression analysis.The main outcomes demonstrate the crucial role of cumulative benefits from inward internationalization and inter-regional diversification strategies in boosting EMNEs' overseas expansion, in opposition to traditional MNEs (TMNEs). The results corroborate some assumptions of emerging theories on EMNEs, and provide insight for extending traditional MNEs theories by rethinking concepts, relations and causalities

Information System Success in Tanzania Customs Operations: Taxpayers’ Optimism Bias and Perceived Ease of Use

This study aimed at investigating the information systems (IS) success from activities rendered by different actors in customs clearance operations in Tanzania. Specifically, the study intended to assess users’ optimism bias perception and perceived ease of use due to challenges encountered in clearance of cargo. To attain the study objectives, primary data was collected from 223 tax practitioners and taxpayers from Customs and Excise Department of the Tanzania Revenue Authority.  Descriptive analysis was used to summarize the data. Besides, principal component analysis assisted in determining the constructs of the study. Subsequently, confirmatory factor analysis was run for data validity; whereas, structural equation modeling tested the developed hypotheses. The study found that optimism bias and perceived ease of use were both positively and significantly associated with IS success in customs clearance operations. The study recommends provision of user friendly systems and reliable website applications for taxpayers continual usage of the developed systems for IS success. Furthermore, the study provides useful inputs relevant to different stakeholders such as researchers useful for future research as well as practitioners, especially tax administrators. Keywords: IS success, optimism bias, perceived ease of use DOI: 10.7176/IKM/9-3-02 Publication date:March 31st 201

A Computer-Based Simulation Investigation of Environment-Strategy Fit for Risk Management in Global Supply Chains

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the phenomenon of risk management in global supply chains. Drawing from logistics, supply chain management, operations management, economics, international business, and strategy literatures and a qualitative study, a comprehensive conceptual model of environment-strategy fit for risk management in global supply chains was developed. External environmental conditions comprising of supply and demand risks, four risk management strategies, namely hedging, assuming, postponement, and speculation, and a moderator in the form of a port disruption were chosen for further investigation. The model was quantitatively tested using a simulation. The findings from this dissertation study reflect mixed results. Findings that conform to existing research, primarily related to hedging and speculation strategies, provide empirical support for extant knowledge that is primarily conceptual or experience-based. On the other hand, findings that are contrary to existing knowledge or are supported under very select conditions, primarily related to assuming and postponement strategies, provide interesting new insights into the phenomenon. The findings add to both theoretical and practical understanding of the phenomenon. This research opens up several new research directions that indicate that continued research is needed to facilitate both theoretical and empirical progress in better understanding of risk management in global supply chains

Development of business strategies based on logistics performance of the Republic of Croatia

Croatia, as a moderately new member of the EU, has recognized the prospects offered by the membership. The participation of Croatian enterprises in European supply chains is an important opportunity for the country’s economic growth. The analysis of its logistics performance, based on the World Bank data, suggest a positive change in recent years. That proves a beneficial evolution of the business environment in Croatia. The primary research presented in the paper considers the improved logistics infrastructure and other subfactors included in the analysis, the support offered to business activities and the increased readiness of the country for a potential upturn of logistics services. Using logistical advantages of Croatia as a location or improved infrastructure may be a stimulus for creating relationships with business partners in the EU. A country that applies the adaptable concept of a logistics platform is in a good position to use new possibilities on the EU market, especially the growing e-commerce sector. Free flow of information on the Internet and unrestricted access to customers in the single market, guaranteed by EU law, opens new possibilities for trade development and finding one’s niche. Recently the European Parliament adopted the regulation forbidding geo-blocking and thus created potential for e-commerce growth in Europe. Croatia may benefit from its location and rise in logistics performance. In this relatively new sector, the ability to use all logistical advantages has become an asset. Employing advanced analytical techniques of simulation and visualization for logistics applications has become a prerequisite for growing e-commerce on the EU market. The questions arising from such a perspective concern the abilities of the Croatian business to exploit the described potential. How should managers of business entities adjust their strategies to logistics standards? How strongly is business intelligence correlated with supply chain management? The purpose of this paper is to formulate a protocol for creating a logistics strategy for Croatian enterprises. Preliminary research for this article included logistics performance index (LPI) analysis, literature, and data mining. Variables examined in the primary research of Croatian companies’ practice were categorized as business intelligence, supply chain management, information visibility and integration of logistics function. Factor analysis was used to connect these variables, i.e. to reduce the number of variables. The authors have tested the correlation between variables. There was a significant statistical correlation between business intelligence, supply chain management, information visibility and integration as prerequisites for a competitive logistics strategy of the company

IOIS ADOPTION AND DIFFUSION A REVIEW OF PORT AND CARGO COMMUNITY SYSTEM LITERATURE

We investigate how Port and Cargo Community System (CS) adoption research has been operationalized with a Structured Literature Review approach to test whether CS adoption research has a different thematical and methodological focus than overall IS, specifically Inter-organizational Information System (IOIS) research. Despite drastic contextual changes, the dominant research paradigm and subsequently models used to investigate IS innovations\u27 adoption and diffusion mechanisms originated in the early times of computers and the internet. CS research’s different focus allows us to uncover that three underlying assumptions of the dominant paradigm should be challenged in increasingly complex environments, viz. the deterministic view on dependent variables, the independence of explanatory variables, and the independence of innovations from previous, related innovations. Our novel framework, which integrates these insights, can be used in future research and by practitioners to account for the increasing complexity of IS adoption and diffusion processes