The Relationship between Organizational Characteristics and Performance African Ports: The Moderating Effect of Governance Reforms

Authors

  • Atonga J. O PhD Candidate, Department of Business Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Awino Z. B Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Ogollah K. O Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Odock S. O Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Keywords:

Organizational characteristics, Governance reforms, Partial least squares structural equation modeling, Container handling terminal, Measurement model estimation, Landlord model

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the moderating effect of governance reforms on the relationship between organizational characteristics and the performance of seaports in Anglophone Africa. This study adopted a positivist research philosophy with a descriptive cross-sectional census survey design. Structured questions in the form of questionnaires were employed to collect primary data targeting executive managers of container-handling seaport terminals in Anglophone Africa who are conversant with port operations and management. Some data was also obtained from the websites of the ports. The response rate was 83.6%. Out of these respondents, ports that were found to have adopted the landlord model were 78%, while 22% were still using the public service model of operations. The reliability and validity of the indicator items were ascertained through diagnostic tests. Model fitness was confirmed by the use of SRMR and NFI. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) using Smart PLS 4.0 software was used for data analysis and measurement model estimation to test the hypothesis that there is no significant moderating effect of governance reforms on the relationship between organizational characteristics and the performance of seaports in Anglophone Africa. The findings established a positive and significant moderating effect of governance reforms on the relationship. The study concluded that the landlord model of governance reforms enhances performance thereby creating a competitive advantage for ports in Anglophone Africa. The study also finds that seaports in Africa are now increasingly identifying with the understanding of port governance reform models seen from both theoretical and empirical points of view.The study recognizes that the landlord model of port governance is already predominant amongst African seaports and concludes with the recommendation that all African seaports that are still operating as public service ports should reform and adopt the landlord model to achieve remarkable performance.

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Published

2024-10-16

How to Cite

Atonga J. O, Awino Z. B, Ogollah K. O, & Odock S. O. (2024). The Relationship between Organizational Characteristics and Performance African Ports: The Moderating Effect of Governance Reforms. International Journal of Social Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends, 22(1), 13–38. Retrieved from https://ijsscfrtjournal.isrra.org/index.php/Social_Science_Journal/article/view/1723

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