A conceptual model of smart port performance and smart port indicators in Thailand

Abstract

Autonomous ports and digital ports are a modern trend of global commercial ports that are established to develop toward smart ports in many ports. Smart port indicators (SPIs) are used as important tools for measuring, encouraging, and indicating smart port performance. These are the main indicators to operate smart port management as the practical direction and port development planning are enclosed. This research aims to identify the SPIs and to develop a conceptual model of smart port performance in a case study of The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Thailand. Triangulation data are used in the data collection with three sources: the reviewed literature of five international databases in 2016–2021, participant observations, and in-depth interviews. Content analysis is utilized to analyze these data to develop a conceptual model approach. The findings of this research are shown in three main domains classified as smart port operation, smart port environment/energy, and smart port safety/security. These indicators represent 29 SPIs for developing smart port performance, which can be explained with a conceptual model. This information will exist as the foundation framework guiding Thai smart ports towards international standards of smart port efficiency.