The impact of port community systems (PCS) characteristics on performance

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of the port community system (PCS) and its influence on port performance. The techniques of principal component analysis and structural equation modelling are applied to 153 valid responses from a sample, obtained from Portuguese port community experts. The results identify and measure the factors that characterize the PCS and affects port performance. PCS characteristic, including service level, partner network, ship services, cargo services, logistics services and advanced services, affect port performance, defined as operational performance, effectiveness and efficiency. The primary contribution of this study is to show the mechanisms that allow ports to adjust and evolve the PCS characteristics and develop new features that affect port performance.