An investigation of factors that promote supply chain integration at the sea-land interface

This study investigates factors that promote integration of port oriented supply chains. More specifically, the study examines the factors that foster integration of intermodal supply chain at the sea-land interface and their relative importance. This was investigated by first seeking expert's inputs through an informal survey, and secondly using those inputs from experts in combination with relevant literature review on the topic to formulate a formal internet survey that was used to collect data in order to answer the research question. Based on the investigation, the study had revealed factors that promote supply chain integration at the sea-land interface in their order of relative importance. The study found that communication across supply chain was the first relative important factor followed by supply chain performance, third was organizational trust, interface integration was fourth, and supply chain security was voted fifth from the list of ten supply chain factors that were investigated. The study also found that, with respect to interface dimensions, organizational aspect was voted the first relative important factor, followed by physical aspect and business operating environment was third in promoting supply chain integration at the sea-land interface of a port oriented intermodal supply chain.