The influence of supply chain collaboration on collaborative advantage and port performance in maritime logistics

Although many academics and practitioners in the maritime industry have recognised the importance of supply chain collaboration (SCC) between ports and port users, there is still a lack of empirical work on this issue. This work empirically investigates the association between SCC, collaborative advantage and port performance in a maritime logistics context. Data were collected via a web-based questionnaire survey which engaged 178 responses from maritime logistics firms in South Korea. Hypotheses were tested by using structural equation modelling, following a hierarchical analysis process. The results confirm that SCC has positive impacts on collaborative advantage, which in turn helps to improve port performance. The finding indicates that collaborative advantage has a full mediation effect on the link SCC-port performance. This work invites managers to recognise the positive outcomes of inter-organisational SCC practices in enhancing collaborative advantage and port performance within port supply chain.