Abstract
A shipping network is a form of collaboration in the shipping industry where players such as carriers, intermodal service providers, container management service providers, and container terminal operators share resources and assets to develop mutually beneficial strategies and seek operational performance gains. Because of the globalization and the intensified competition in the 21 st century, we suggest that the firms apply the concept of agility responding to change in proper ways and due time as well as exploiting changes and taking advantage of them as opportunities in the dynamic business environment. On the basis, we illustrate the key elements are desirable for the development and operation of horizontal and vertical shipping networks to leverage their inherent resources and enhance their capabilities respectively. Theoretical and practical implications of our research findings on the shipping networks development are also discussed in this study.
Highlights
The shipping industry is confronted with the combination of internal and several external environmental forces create the environmental dynamism in the shipping industry in the 21st century
We apply the concept of agility to open up a new area in the shipping industry
The injection of new idea “agility” suggests the firms respond to the dynamic business environment in proper ways and due time so as to gain competitive advantage and first mover advantage
Summary
The shipping industry is confronted with the combination of internal and several external environmental forces create the environmental dynamism in the shipping industry in the 21st century. The network players develop integrated shipping networks either collaborates with other firms or gain organic growth with merge and acquisition [19] They can enlarge their resources and capabilities in terms of responsiveness, competency, flexibility, and quickness in order to gain the competitive advantage in the macro environment [15]. There have been numerous of studies have established the concept of agility in the supply chain management [19] [12] [15], but there is relatively limited research to devote the concept of agility on the formation and development of shipping networks Following this concept, the firms can offer the customers with greater value and stay competitive advantage of shipping industry [12]. This study prompts shipping industry to advance knowledge and explore the possibility of improvement through the development of shipping networks
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