Title: Exploring the applicability of electronic markets to port governance

Authors: Maria A. Lambrou, Athanasios A. Pallis, Nikitas V. Nikitakos

Addresses: Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, Business School, University of the Aegean, 2A, Korai, 82100, Chios, Greece. ' Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, Business School, University of the Aegean, 2A, Korai, 82100, Chios, Greece. ' Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, Business School, University of the Aegean, 2A, Korai, 82100, Chios, Greece

Abstract: The paper explores the rationale of embracing e-Governance models as a mean to improve port policy and decision making towards enhanced port performance and competitiveness. The paper establishes both the significance and the applicability of advanced port e-Governance models, based on e-markets typologies. The devised theoretical framework suggests that within the evolving variation of port structures, e-Governance, public-private interorganisational network models and in particular the e-market paradigm provide a great opportunity towards the |smart networking| of the plurality of port actors, including public port authorities, terminal service providers, shipping companies, logistics and transportation companies, customs and other third parties.

Keywords: port policy; port clusters; port devolution; port performance; e-governance; electronic governence; information technology; communications; ICT; electronic markets; public-private networks; interorganisational networks; public port authorities; terminal service providers; shipping companies; logistics firms; transportation companies; customs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOSM.2008.017779

International Journal of Ocean Systems Management, 2008 Vol.1 No.1, pp.14 - 30

Published online: 12 Apr 2008 *