Measuring port effectiveness: Does supply chain partner performance measurement matter?

Port managers need to be able to identify and prioritize port investments to take advantage of opportunities for growth. Those who serve the needs of beneficial cargo owners and shipping lines must know how to evaluate their customer service delivery efforts. Although this area has received research attention, this paper adds to the understanding by focusing on performance evaluations of ports by supply chain partners, key actors in the effectiveness of a port's service delivery. The current literature relevant to the assessment of port performance and the perspectives of this user group is reviewed. The range of port-related roles performed by supply chain partners is then examined to create context for the results. Four measures that provide general (as opposed to port-specific) indications of the relative need for attention to each criterion are identified and discussed. Finally, the statements are used to create a formative supply chain partner port assessment construct used to measure relevant criteria. Port managers can use these criteria when formulating high-quality service to their supply chain partners, which in turn will support port efforts to improve performance for cargo owners and shipping lines.