Determinants of Malaysian port competitiveness: An application of resource-base view

The ultimate goal of strategic management research is to search for the explanation of
why some firms are more successful than their competitors. This study applies the
Resource-based View Theory to get a full understanding of how ports capitalize the
resources and competency to compete and improve port performance. This study identifies factors that can increase the port's performance by analyzing the relationship between port tangible and intangible resources and port performance. Port tangibles resources include financial assets, physical assets and technology assets, whereas port intangible assets include intellectual property assets, organizational assets and port capabilities. A total of 123 respondents from major ports in Malaysia were involved in this survey. This study found out that one dimension of port intangible resources which is port capabilities do have a significant influence on port performance. However, two other dimensions of intangible assets which are intellectual property assets and organizational assets have no significant influence on port performance. In term of tangible resources, this study found out that all assets such as financial assets, physical assets and technology assets do not have any significant influence on port performance. The findings of this study are expected to have implications for the port industry on the importance of port capabilities in improving port performance and competitiveness. This study provides recommendations to industry, discusses the limitations of the study and provides suggestions for future research.