ABSTRACT

The structure of competitiveness between hub ports in the multipolar Northeast Asian system will determine which ports achieve regional gateway status. A survey instrument to assess 21 measurement items generated 203 responses from Shanghai, Hong Kong and Busan. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a valid and reliable competitiveness construct underpinning 19 measurement scales and a four-factor model incorporating availability, operational efficiency, port costs and service quality. Differences in factor importance revealed that success as a regional gateway port depends on a port area developing strategically into a multi-functional business centre. The model offers a management tool to guide future port improvement.

Keywords

Port Competitiveness; Regional Gateway port; Hub-and-Spoke Networks; Multipolar Port System; Factor Analysis; Northeast Asia

1. Introduction

Intense regional port competition in Northeast Asia (NEA) has focused interest on the concept of port competitiveness (Yeo et al., 2008) and the determinants of competitiveness (Yeo et al., 2011; Tongzon, 2009; Yeo et al., 2008; Yeo and Song, 2006). This interest arises because shipping lines’ perceptions of the competitiveness and attractiveness of commercial port operations determine the operational sustainability of ports (Yeo et al., 2011; Cheon and Deakin, 2010)).

To guide port operations research on port competitiveness has typically focused on identifying key factors that influence port competitiveness (Yeo et al., 2011, 2008; Tongzon; 2009; de Langen, 2007; Murphy et al., 1992, 1989), strategic development such as supply chain management, intermodal links, and hinterland development (van den Berg and de Langen, 2011; Wiegmans et al., 2008; de Langen, 2007; Haezendonck and Notteboom, 2002) and regional container port competition (Yeo et al. 2011; Wang and Cheng, 2010; Yap et al., 2006; Hsu and Hsieh 2005).

To date, prior work on port competitiveness has not identified which factors influence the competitive position of ports striving for regional gateway status amongst hub ports. Research in NEA has highlighted issues which influence either port competitiveness or regional gateway status but not both, overlooking differences in the structure of competition, reference points and meaning. This study proposes research to link these issues in NEA’s multipolar port system (Figure 1), which investigates the structure of port competitiveness between hub ports vying for regional gateway status in NEA using an empirically-based instrument. After introducing the research background Section 2 reviews the competition structure in NEA, the determinants of general port competitiveness and regional gateway status. Section 3 presents the research design and data collection processes where targeting of the contenders for regional gateway port status enhanced the external validity of findings. The data analysis and results are presented in section 4 before considering their implications, both conceptual and substantive, with suggestions for future research.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Competition between Hub Ports Seeking Regional Gateway Status in Northeast Asia

The major container ports in NEA have experienced an unprecedented boom in container shipping along with ever-intensified port competition (Yeo et al., 2008; Wang and Cheng, 2010; Yap et al., 2006). As a consequence of deployment of mega container ships, regional gateway port status comprises a significant component of the local economy and economic cooperation with its surrounding areas (Imai et al., 2013; Gelareh et al., 2010; Low et al., 2009), which integrates the overall production and distribution systems (Yeo et al., 2011; Hall, 2007). The major ports in NEA, therefore, aspire to achieve regional gateway status, to broaden their sphere of influence from that of a sea-shore interface to a comprehensive port which boosts global or major regional trade and the local economy (Wang and Cheng, 2010; Low et al., 2009).