Evaluation Analysis of the Operational Efficiency and Total Factor Productivity of Container Terminals in China

Zhuyuan Li, Xiaolong Wang, Run Zheng, Sanggyun Na () and Chang Liu ()
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Zhuyuan Li: College of Business Administration, Wonkwang University, No. 460, Iksandae-ro, Iksan 54538, Korea
Xiaolong Wang: College of Business Administration, Wonkwang University, No. 460, Iksandae-ro, Iksan 54538, Korea
Run Zheng: Business School, Jiangsu Open University, Nanjing 210036, China
Sanggyun Na: College of Business Administration, Wonkwang University, No. 460, Iksandae-ro, Iksan 54538, Korea
Chang Liu: College of Business Administration, Wonkwang University, No. 460, Iksandae-ro, Iksan 54538, Korea

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 20, 1-12

Abstract: As crucial international trade and global logistics players, container terminals worldwide handle more than 80% of the global merchandise trade. After analyzing and summarizing the previous studies, we use container terminal companies as the research object to fill the gap left by previous studies. Based on the above research status, this study analyzes the operational efficiency and total factor productivity of 32 container terminal companies in China using the super -efficiency DEA–SBM model and the Malmquist index method. The results show that (1) the operational efficiency level of 32 container terminals in China from 2017 to 2020 has a huge gap, and 15 container terminal companies have operational efficiency below 0.6, which indicates that most container terminals have excess inputs and a waste of resources. (2) The container terminals in the Bohai Rim, Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta regions have higher operational efficiency. This shows that the development of container terminals cannot be separated from the economic hinterland of the cities where the ports are located. (3) The Malmquist index analysis shows a 2.8% decrease in total factor productivity, a 3.2% increase in the composite technical efficiency index and a 5.8% decrease in the technological progress index, which indicates that most container terminal companies have imperfect management practices and decision making. Based on the study’s results, this research provides relevant and feasible recommendations for policymakers who formulate policies for the development of the shipping industry to promote high quality and sustainable development of the shipping industry and the economy.

Keywords: container terminal; operational efficiency; super-efficiency DEA–SBM model; Malmquist total factor productivity index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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