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A Logistics and Supply Chain Approach to Seaport Efficiency — An Inquiry Based on Action Research Methodology

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Research Methodologies in Supply Chain Management

Summary

Most practical and theoretical approaches to port performance measurement are reducible to three broad categories: physical indicators, factor productivity indicators, and economic and financial indicators. However, an integrative supply chain approach is seldom adopted, although a change process towards supply chain integration is taking place in practice and new appropriate performance measurements are required. Action research enables researchers to participate in this change process, although it requires a close relationship and collaboration between practitioners and researchers. The technique used in the approach described in this paper was to present port managers and other experts with a model of port performance appropriate to the role of ports in a logistics and supply chain context.

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Bichou, K., Gray, R. (2005). A Logistics and Supply Chain Approach to Seaport Efficiency — An Inquiry Based on Action Research Methodology. In: Kotzab, H., Seuring, S., Müller, M., Reiner, G. (eds) Research Methodologies in Supply Chain Management. Physica-Verlag HD. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-7908-1636-1_27

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