Abstract
This article presents a literature review on labour dynamics in European ports. The aim is to provide a detailed and critical appraisal of the recent academic literature on port labour studies, in order to develop a comprehensive mapping of the variety of port labour regimes and conflicts in Europe with the ultimate aim of revealing the changing profile of labour requirements as a consequence of the structural transformations in the overall logistics chain. The review mainly considers the literature published during the period 2000-2017. Since ports have been explored by means of different theoretical approaches, paradigms and perspectives, the study aimed to foster a multidisciplinary approach between some streams and to consolidate them wherever possible. In the first part of the article, the main definitions, ideas and concepts developed in the literature by scholars on seaport research and port studies are reviewed and analysed. The second part discusses the literature on port geography and the third part addresses port labour dynamics in particular. The conclusions draw from the perspective of the maritime-logistics chain to analyse the variety of port labour systems and summarise the literature reviewed, stressing the need for further studies.
Highlights
In recent decades, European ports have experienced a paradigm shift, transforming themselves into nodes within broader supply chains and global production networks (Robinson, 2002)
Ports have played a crucial role in this process, alongside the revolution in the logistics chain embodied by the development of the container and of intermodal transport
Ports stand at the junction of global value chains and global production networks; they represent pivotal links within maritime supply chains and global production networks, while being embedded within specific, path-dependent, spatial and institutional frameworks
Summary
European ports have experienced a paradigm shift, transforming themselves into nodes within broader supply chains and global production networks (Robinson, 2002). The lack of a homogeneous framework for analysing labour issues in European ports necessitated a preliminary literature review characterised by a ‘bird’s-eye view’ In this stage, the aim was to analyse the main ideas and concepts developed in the recent economic literature by scholars of seaport research and port studies. In order to achieve this goal, a structured review of the existing academic literature on ports, labour dynamics and the container industry was carried out, taking into account the main paradigms and definitions, central areas of debate and key points raised in the most important theoretical approaches in the economic literature on ports The purpose at this stage was to set the parameters and identify the background, main features and key issues affecting ports in general through a coherent overview of the field of port studies research. Since ports have been explored from a range of different perspectives, there was an ongoing effort to foster a multidisciplinary approach between some consolidated streams
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
