Exploring knowledge sharing in sea-land logistics networks: Lessons from the port of Genoa

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the impact of information technology (IT) solutions on the knowledge sharing process within the sea-land logistics network. To tackle the research aim, we illustrate the case of the Port of Genoa, the most important in Italy, the first to adopt a port community system to coordinate logistical processes. Our findings indicate how the IT platform, called E-port, improves interconnections within the system by creating a virtual network that facilitates data exchange among actors. Recent studies investigate ports as a simple logistics supply chain and not as a business network. This paper fills this gap by adopting an actor's network perspective interconnected by an IT infrastructure that acts as a knowledge orchestrator in the business network.