Improving the seaport service quality by implementing digital technologies

The process of digitalization i.e. implementation of digital technologies is widely present in the seaports. Digitalization encourages seaports to adjust and implement digital technologies in providing their services, while constantly striving to stay efficient, profitable and competitive. The implementation of digital technologies results in altered perspective of seaport service quality. Since seaport service quality is not prescribed and strictly defined, the importance of digitalization should be taken into consideration, which includes redefining the seaport service quality factors. Worlds’ leading seaports, especially leading European seaports, recognized the possibilities of digital technologies in providing quality seaport services and are investing in their implementation. In this paper, seaport service quality is analysed in the context of digitalization i.e. the implementation of digital technologies. The purpose of this paper is to define the quality factors and opportunities for improving seaport service quality based on the analysis of digital technologies implemented in seaports

SMALL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA FROM 2003 TO 2009 WITH AN OVERVIEW OF MARITIME ACTIVITY

Ovaj je rad pregled kretanja malog poduzetništva u Republici Hrvatskoj za razdoblje od 2003. do 2009. godine. Prikazani su pojedini pravni oblici malih poduzeća s naglaskom na obrte te kretanje zaposlenosti. Utvrđeni su uvjeti djelovanja malog poduzetništva, doprinos Europske unije razvoju malog poduzetništva kao i djelatnosti u kojima djeluje najveći broj malih poduzeća u Republici Hrvatskoj. Analizirana je uloga malog poduzetništva u zapošljavanju, te je kretanje broja malih poduzeća u Republici Hrvatskoj uspoređeno s kretanjem broja malih poduzeća u Republici Sloveniji. Istraživanjem se došlo do spoznaje da mala poduzeća u Republici Hrvatskoj i Republici Sloveniji imaju sličnu tendenciju kretanja. Na kraju je dan osvrt na pomorstvo kao stratešku djelatnost koja pruža respektabilne mogućnosti za daljni razvoj malog poduzetništva.This paper reviews the development of small entrepreneurship in the Republic of Croatia from 2003 to 2009. Legal forms of small enterprises with an accent on crafts and movement of employment are shown. Conditions of the functioning of small entrepreneurship, the role of the European Union in small entrepreneurship development and activities in which the largest number of small enterprises operate in the Republic of Croatia are determined. The role of small entrepreneurship in employment is analysed too. The movement of small enterprises in the Republic of Croatia is compared with the movement of small enterprises in the Republic of Slovenia. The research carried out has indicated that small enterprises in the Republic of Croatia and in the Republic of Slovenia have a similar tendency of movement. At the end, an overview of the maritime activity, as a strategic activity which provides great perspectives for small entrepreneurship, is given

ICT EVOLUTION IN CONTAINER TERMINALS

Informacijske i komunikacijske tehnologije (ICT) osnova su za implementaciju suvremenih logističkih procesa na kontejnerskim terminalima. ICT-e posjeduju veliki potencijal za korištenje u različitim aktivnostima kontejnerskih terminala. Jedna od najvažnijih uloga informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija je mogućnost povezivanja kontejnerskih terminala s drugim subjektima u lučkoj zajednici, stvarajući na taj način elektroničku zajednicu lučkog sustava (Port Community System). Različiti aspekti informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija na kontejnerskim terminalima čine ih jednim od ključnih resursa i poželjnom investicijom, bez kojih je gotovo nemoguće postići napredak i cilj u pružanjui pravovremene i kvalitetne usluge te zadovoljiti potrebe korisnika. U radu se istražuje uloga informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija na kontejnerskim terminalima kao i vrste informacijsko-komunikacijskih sustava s naglaskom na sustave za planiranje prekrcajnih aktivnosti, te se daje osvrt na virtualnu logistiku kao poseban spoj logistike i informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija na kontejnerskim terminalima.Information and communication technologies (ICT) are the basis for the implementation of modern logistics processes in container terminals. ICT possess a large potential for the use in various activities on container terminals. One of the most important roles of ICT is the ability to connect container terminals with other subjects in the port community, creating the Port Community System. Many different aspects of ICT application on container terminals makes ICT one of the key resources and a desirable investment, without which it is virtually impossible to progress and achieve the goal to provide timely and quality services and to satisfy the customer’s needs. This paper aims at researching the role of ICT in container terminals and the types of ICT systems with the emphasis on the planning system for transhipment activities, as well as at giving an overview of virtual logistics as a special blend of logistics and ICT on container terminals

Information management in seaport clusters

U radu se istražuju važnost i primjena upravljanja informacijama u lučkim klasterima. Determinirana su obilježja lučkih klastera i njihova ekonomska važnost. Definirane su skupine dionika u lučkom klasteru te su identificirani dokumenti u lučkom poslovanju. Nadalje, opisana je evolucija sustava za razmjenu informacija u lučkom klasteru kao i procesni pristup razvoju informacijskog sustava. Analizirani su najvažniji sustavi za razmjenu informacija u lučkom klasteru te uloga informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija u primjeni koncepta elektroničkog poslovanja kroz primjer vodećih svjetskih morskih luka. Konačno, ukazano je na važnost i prednosti upravljanja informacijama u lučkom klasteru temeljenom na primjeni informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija.The paper researches the importance and application of information management in seaport clusters. The characteristics of seaport clusters and their economic importance are determined. Groups of stakeholders in seaport clusters are defined and documents in seaport operations are identified. Furthermore, the evolution of information exchange in seaport clusters is described, as well as the process approach for information system development. The most important systems for the exchange of information in seaport clusters and the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the implementation of electronic business concept are analyzed through examples of the world\u27s leading seaports. Finally, the importance and benefits of the ICT based information management in port clusters are pointed out

ICT EVOLUTION IN CONTAINER TERMINALS

Informacijske i komunikacijske tehnologije (ICT) osnova su za implementaciju suvremenih logističkih procesa na kontejnerskim terminalima. ICT-e posjeduju veliki potencijal za korištenje u različitim aktivnostima kontejnerskih terminala. Jedna od najvažnijih uloga informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija je mogućnost povezivanja kontejnerskih terminala s drugim subjektima u lučkoj zajednici, stvarajući na taj način elektroničku zajednicu lučkog sustava (Port Community System). Različiti aspekti informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija na kontejnerskim terminalima čine ih jednim od ključnih resursa i poželjnom investicijom, bez kojih je gotovo nemoguće postići napredak i cilj u pružanjui pravovremene i kvalitetne usluge te zadovoljiti potrebe korisnika. U radu se istražuje uloga informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija na kontejnerskim terminalima kao i vrste informacijsko-komunikacijskih sustava s naglaskom na sustave za planiranje prekrcajnih aktivnosti, te se daje osvrt na virtualnu logistiku kao poseban spoj logistike i informacijsko-komunikacijskih tehnologija na kontejnerskim terminalima.Information and communication technologies (ICT) are the basis for the implementation of modern logistics processes in container terminals. ICT possess a large potential for the use in various activities on container terminals. One of the most important roles of ICT is the ability to connect container terminals with other subjects in the port community, creating the Port Community System. Many different aspects of ICT application on container terminals makes ICT one of the key resources and a desirable investment, without which it is virtually impossible to progress and achieve the goal to provide timely and quality services and to satisfy the customer’s needs. This paper aims at researching the role of ICT in container terminals and the types of ICT systems with the emphasis on the planning system for transhipment activities, as well as at giving an overview of virtual logistics as a special blend of logistics and ICT on container terminals

The One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative and seaport business in Europe – perspective of the Port of Rijeka

The OBOR-One Belt One Road initiative has potential to enable further development of the Port of Rijeka. The European seaports are important for China in the development of the OBOR initiative, especially the ports on the Maritime Silk Road (MSR) corridor of the OBOR. Chinese investors i.e. terminal operators in the past two decades have strategically invested in the European seaports to strengthen their position and obtain the OBOR goals. European seaports got the opportunity to improve their business through Chinese infrastructure investments and through China’s trade dominance which can bring more cargo to the European seaports. Thus, the OBOR i.e. Maritime Silk Road-MSR provide new possibilities for further development of the Port of Rijeka. The Chinese investors expressed their interest to invest in the Port of Rijeka, but concrete investments and collaboration regarding OBOR have not been realized. In this paper, the OBOR goals in Europe and the current status of OBOR in Europe will be identified. Strategic activities of China in the European seaports will be analyzed. The perspective the Port of Rijeka in the OBOR initiative i.e. MSR corridor will be elaborated according to the analyzed Chinese strategic activities in the European seaports and relevant aspects of the Port of Rijeka business: geo-traffic position, position on the OBOR corridors i.e. MSR corridor, membership in the NAPA – North Adriatic Port Association, shipping services and railway services, port infrastructure and investments

The Necessity of Port Community System Implementation in the Croatian Seaports

The paper researches the necessity and requirements for Port Community System (PCS) implementation in Croatian seaport clusters. The authors define the Port Community and analyze the basic features of seaport clusters and Port Community Members (PCM). The most important documents in seaport operations are identified and analyzed. The role of Port Authority as the most important factor of PCS implementation in the Croatian seaports is defined. The Seaport Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems are defined and analyzed, and phases of ICT integration in Port Community are determined, along with the current status of the Croatian seaports regarding ICT integration. The potential benefits of PCS implementation in the Croatian seaports are stressed. Finally, a definite need for PCS implementation is determined, in order to achieve and maintain the Croatian seaport competitiveness in global maritime transport industry

THE IMPORTANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN THE CROATIAN ECONOMY AND IN THE EUROPEAN UNION STATES ECONOMIES

U radu se istražuje sektor malog gospodarstva, odnosno malo i srednje poduzetništvo Republike Hrvatske. Poseban osvrt daje se na obilježja malog gospodarstva zemalja s kojima graniči, a koje su već pridružene članice Europske unije te kao takve posluju na jedinstvenom europskom tržištu: Republika Slovenija, Republika Mađarska i Republika Italija. Analizirani su pokazatelji: broj registriranih malih i srednjih poduzeća, broj zaposlenih, prihod poduzeća te ostvarena dodana vrijednost. Komparacijom navedenih podataka uočeno je da Republika Hrvatska znatno zaostaje za navedenim zemljama Europske unije. Istaknute su i sličnosti sektora malog gospodarstva Republike Hrvatske s onim u spomenutim zemljama te nužnost što hitnijeg prilagođavanja naše zemlje zahtjevima Europske unije. Posebno je naglašeno postizanje stupnja konkurentnosti malih poduzeća u Republici Hrvatskoj kako bi bila što spremnija na oštro nadmetanje u okviru jedinstvenog tržišta Europske unije. Jedna od bitnijih stavki zasigurno je svijest kreatora gospodarske politike o važnosti ovog sektora te poticanje razvoja konkretnim mjerama.This paper aims at researching into the small business sector, regarding small and medium-sized entrepreneurship in Croatia. Specially reviewed are the characteristics of small businesses in the Croatian border states, which are already associated members of the European Union and as such operate on the single European Union market: Slovenia, Hungary and Italy. The following indicators – the number of registered small and medium-sized enterprises, the number of employees, the revenue and value added in small and medium-sized enterprises - are analyzed. The comparison of the mentioned data reveals that Croatia is behind these European Union states. Similarities of the small business sector in Croatia with those in the mentioned states are preeminent, as well as the necessity of an urgent adaption of our state to the European Union requirements. Particularly emphasized is the achievement of a better competitivness degree of small enterprises in Croatia to make them more capable for strongly competition on the single European Union market. One of the most important item is surely the awareness of economic policy makers about the importance of this sector, as well as the encouragment of development with concrete measures

Intelligent transportation systems in croatian smart cities

Cities across the world are trying to develop into so called Smart Cities. Generally, one of the main goals of Smart Cities is an efficient and sustainable transportation. Decreasing traffic congestion, improving mobility and environment preservation are some of the biggest transportation challenges. Non- efficient city transportation, especially when significant congestions occur, impacts nearly all aspects of city functions and its development. To overcome these challenges many city planners are looking to smart public transport solutions, including development and introducing of new transport means, combining different existing means of transport or altering the transport organization using the existing means and infrastructure. More than 40 out of a total of 128 cities in Republic of Croatia use smart transportation initiatives to optimize their public transportation routes, create safer roads, reduce infrastructure costs and traffic congestion. This paper presents an analysis of intelligent transport solutions introduced in Smart Cities across the Republic of Croatia. The main goal is to analyze the efficiency of the smart mobility initiatives and to investigate the importance of information and communication technology in supporting smart mobility actions, influencing on the citizens’ quality of life

Maritime National Single Window — A Prerequisite for Sustainable Seaport Business

This paper presents a comprehensive review of National Single Window concept and its impact on sustainability in maritime transport and seaports. The theoretical frameworks of sustainability, maritime transport, seaports, the National Single Window and the Maritime National Single Window is provided. The importance of stakeholder connectivity in maritime transport and seaports in improving sustainability is demonstrated, as well as the advantages of smoother data exchange through global analysis of National Single Window examples, the majority of which present national and regional best practices and initiatives. Empirical data has been provided in order to demonstrate the impact of National Single Windows and Maritime National Single Windows on seaport sustainability (economic, environmental, and social)