Objectives Recently, literature is considering ports as complex networks which ask for a better integration between all actors involved as well as property rights, payments and information in the global supply chain (Bagchi and Paik, 2001; Baron and Mathieu, 2013). More specifically, the coordination between local partners of a port community system plays a crucial role in supporting the competitiveness and efficiency of the port itself (and vice versa), by a reduction in both cost and time needed to pass through the port. The aim of the paper is to investigate this new competitive paradigm focusing on efficiency and coordination; from a theoretical viewpoint, moving from the definition of the role of each partner within the system, we adopt the evolutionary economic approach (Nelson and Winter, 1982), particularly useful in this context as it provides a focus on organizational routines and their institutionalization, making it possible the comprehension of management accounting changes (Burns and Scapens, 2000). From this angle, a routine is a “pattern of behaviour that is followed repeatedly but it is subject to change if condition changes”. Data and Methods From a methodological point of view we adopt a qualitative approach, founding our research on a case-study. More specifically, we investigate the small port of Salerno, situated in the south of Italy, whose volume of traffic is growing in the recent years. Through semi-structured interviews with local partners of the port community of Salerno, combined with both the analysis of time and cost needed to pass through the port and the ICT systems/methods of communication implemented, we investigate the coordination among local partners and the efficiency of the port. In order to better specify the complexity of port community system and their business processes, we will adopt graphical representations through BPMN (Business Process Modelling Notation) tools. Results and Conclusions Our paper will try to add fresh knowledge on the topic by developing a theory inductively, through the recognition of patterns of relationships among partners and their underlying logical arguments (Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007). By this way, tools and criteria of reducing both time and cost will emerge.
Competitiveness and efficiency of port community system: a case-study approach
BISOGNO, Marco;NOTA, Giancarlo;SACCOMANNO, Antonello;TOMMASETTI, Aurelio
2014-01-01
Abstract
Objectives Recently, literature is considering ports as complex networks which ask for a better integration between all actors involved as well as property rights, payments and information in the global supply chain (Bagchi and Paik, 2001; Baron and Mathieu, 2013). More specifically, the coordination between local partners of a port community system plays a crucial role in supporting the competitiveness and efficiency of the port itself (and vice versa), by a reduction in both cost and time needed to pass through the port. The aim of the paper is to investigate this new competitive paradigm focusing on efficiency and coordination; from a theoretical viewpoint, moving from the definition of the role of each partner within the system, we adopt the evolutionary economic approach (Nelson and Winter, 1982), particularly useful in this context as it provides a focus on organizational routines and their institutionalization, making it possible the comprehension of management accounting changes (Burns and Scapens, 2000). From this angle, a routine is a “pattern of behaviour that is followed repeatedly but it is subject to change if condition changes”. Data and Methods From a methodological point of view we adopt a qualitative approach, founding our research on a case-study. More specifically, we investigate the small port of Salerno, situated in the south of Italy, whose volume of traffic is growing in the recent years. Through semi-structured interviews with local partners of the port community of Salerno, combined with both the analysis of time and cost needed to pass through the port and the ICT systems/methods of communication implemented, we investigate the coordination among local partners and the efficiency of the port. In order to better specify the complexity of port community system and their business processes, we will adopt graphical representations through BPMN (Business Process Modelling Notation) tools. Results and Conclusions Our paper will try to add fresh knowledge on the topic by developing a theory inductively, through the recognition of patterns of relationships among partners and their underlying logical arguments (Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007). By this way, tools and criteria of reducing both time and cost will emerge.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
