Linking ocean container carrier capabilities to shipper–carrier relationships: a case study

As outsourcing and offshoring continue to expand, the ocean container industry serves a critical and still increasing role in supporting global trade. Yet, perceived commoditization and intense price competition among ocean container carriers limit opportunities for competitive advantage and formation of long-term shipper–carrier relationships. This environment ultimately yields an unhealthy industry that threatens the stability of global supply chains. Extant literature provides limited insight into how carriers can build strong relationships with shippers to overcome the short-term, transactional-orientation of the industry. Examining a case study of a major ocean container carrier, the authors apply structural equation modeling to shipper survey data to explore how carrier operational, service, and pricing capabilities influence the strength of the long-term shipper–carrier relationship. Furthermore, the authors identify unique clusters of shipper needs, helping the carrier understand when and how to promote a particular portfolio of capabilities to customers.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2016.1173736
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2899960
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Maloni, Michael J
  • Gligor, David M
  • Lagoudis, Ioannis N
• Publication Date: 2016-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 959-975
• Serial:
  • Maritime Policy & Management
  • Volume: 43
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0308-8839
  • EISSN: 1464-5254
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tmpm20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carriers; Case studies; Competition; Containerships; Pricing; Ship lines; Structural equation modeling; Surveys
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01616870
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 21 2016 1:26PM