Does more competition result in better port performance?

Abstract

This study examines the impact of competitive pressure on port performance. We merge the competitive rivalry literature with the port management literature to explain the inverted U-shaped relationship between competitive pressure and port performance within the increasingly competitive realm of world ports. A newly designed index measures competitive pressure that organizations face based on market commonality and domain overlap. Using data for global hubs and national gateway ports, we find potential diseconomies of excessive competitive pressure on port performance.