The overall operational reputation of a port is based on objective
factors, including infrastructure endowments and efficiency in the logistics
chain as well as on perceived subjective factors such as reliability, and level of
corruption. In this work we analyze the concept of port attractiveness, starting
with the hypothesis that subjective port determinants (i.e., user perception) and
objective/endogenous and exogenous factors can be quantified together. We
thus determine the Port Attractiveness Index and test it using 41 container ports
of 23 African countries for the period 2006-2010. We apply a bottom-up approach
to investigate the structural relationships among the three sets of determinants
(endogenous, exogenous and subjective) that impact on port attractiveness.
Our methodological approach employs structural equation modeling.
Results indicate that subjective factors are indeed influential variables for port
attractiveness. Moreover, when examining port attractiveness and investment
strategies, we demonstrate that in many cases in African ports governments
should implement soft infrastructure as a first step rather than investing in hard
infrastructures
