The purpose of this study is to identify the parameters of Port supply chain integration (PSCI), develop measures for assessing the extent of seaport integration in supply chains, and to investigate the relationship between Port supply chain integration (PSCI) and Port Performance (PP). A conceptual model and its dimensions were developed based on a comprehensive literature review and refinement of practitioners and academic experts and applied to a study of supply chain integration in the Vietnamese port perspective. The data sample of the study was collected from a online survey of managers and staffs representative for different actors in port supply chains in Vietnam. The research used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to validate the constructs and strictly test the relationships among them and research hypotheses.
The research results indicated that PCSI comprises 6 influential components, namely Information system and communication (ICS), Value-added service (VAS), Multimodal systems and operations (MSO), Supply chain integration practices (SCIP), Organizational relationship (ORR) and Institutional support (IS). In addition, Port performance is explained by Service price (SP), Responsiveness (RES) and Reliability (REL). These nine constructs met all validity and reliability requirements. In addition, the empirical research showed that most of components of PSCI has positive impact on Port performance. As a part of the research, 16 of 18 research hypotheses were supported.
In conclusion, several implications and recommendations for port management and port operators were discussed. This thesis suggests that the Vietnamese ports need to forge strong links with government and financial institutions in order to obtain necessary support. Furthermore, port operators also need to focus on improving organizational relationship accompanied by making more effective use of information and communication system as well as providing more value-added service. The author expects that the result of this thesis might be helpful for not only Vietnamese seaport industry but also other developing countries sharing the similar economy background.