Analysis of liner operators' competitiveness: Methodological issues and framework

Despite the fact that the liner shipping sector has been facing an increasing concentration level, competition remains high and shipping lines have to constantly strive for their competitiveness. The main focus of this study is on the methodological issues in analysis of shipping lines’ competitiveness especially from the freight forwarders’ perspective. A system review of the literature is conducted in three stages to identify the key factors influential to the competitiveness of liner shipping companies. Initial search has found 897 studies, which were then reduced to 39 after further scanning and review. The systematic review has identified fifteen key factors influential to liner shipping competitiveness. For example, among the most frequently cited factors are the freight rate, service quality, scheduling, handling equipment and information technology. Based on the findings from the systematic literature review, a conceptual framework to identify the main determinants of liner operators is developed, and implications for future research are also discussed.