Examining sustainability performance at ports: port managers’ perspectives on developing sustainable supply chains

ABSTRACT

This research examined the effects of sustainable supply chain management (i.e. internal sustainable development and external sustainable collaboration) on sustainability performance in the port context. Structural equation modeling was employed in this study using survey data collected from 135 respondents holding the position of supervisor or above in three major international port authorities in Taiwan (i.e. Keelung, Taichung, and Kaohsiung). Results indicated that external sustainable collaboration is positively associated with internal sustainable management, and internal sustainable management positively influences sustainability performance. This research also found that internal sustainable management mediates the effects of external sustainable collaboration on sustainability performance. The implication of the findings for port decision-makers, authorities, managers, and sustainable development are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Port
• sustainable supply chain
• sustainability performance
• structural equation modeling

Acknowledgments

The research was partially supported by the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University under the grant number of SB32. An earlier version of this paper entitled ‘Sustainable supply chain and sustainability performance in container terminal operators in the Port of Kaohsiung’, was presented at the conference of International Forum on Shipping, Ports and Airports (IFSPA) in Hong Kong on 3–5 June in 2013.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University [grant number SB32].