The integration in supply chains: an empirical study on container terminals

This work is focused on the integration of container terminals in supply chains. A container terminal is a facility designed to handle containers located within the port area. The research design is based on the case research. This methodology is suited considering the research purpose and the stage of ports research field. In order to have a well defined focus of research, a research framework has been defined using both literature review and in-depth single case. The use of multiple case studies has increased the quality of the research design. The empirical findings have been synthesized in the form of theoretical propositions. The results of our analysis suggest that the context influences the degree of integration of container terminals in supply chains. However, a favourable context is necessary but not sufficient to reach a high degree of integration because there are the two key dimensions which the terminals have to manage, that’s to say the integration driven investment and the degree of openness. Moreover, our study provides evidence on the relationship between integration and performance. In particular our findings suggest that the integration of container terminals in supply chains has a positive impact on the performance of the terminals, measured by the average variation of volumes and sales in the short time.