Electronic markets business models to integrate ports in supply chains

Abstract

The paper explores rationales and determinants of embracing specific e-Governance models as a mean to improve port governance and enhance ports integration in contemporary supply chains. In recent times the port sector has experienced a variety of organisational and policy reforms, aiming at adjusting to major external changes. Grounding on the structures of the emerging multi-faced and multi-actors port sector, the paper establishes both the significance and the applicability of advanced port e-Governance models, based in particular on e-markets typologies. The observations and the devised theoretical framework suggest that within the evolving variation of port structures, e-Governance public-private interorganisational network models and the e-market one-stop government model provide a great opportunity towards the most wanted `smart networking' of the plurality of port actors. Acting as cluster managers, port authorities have an array of incentives to invest in action frameworks like the enactment of `port authority centred e-markets', in order to enhance the performance of ports as parts of regionalised supply chains networks. By examining this perspective, the paper suggests the core features that may govern the implementation of this paradigm and enabling conditions wherein an electronic port e-Governance agenda can promote the interests of stakeholders.