Determinants of outsourcing performance in container terminal operations: a moderated mediation model

Abstract

This study empirically examines the determinants of the performance of outsourcing from a container terminal practitioner's perspective. We attempted to examine the effects of container terminal operators' outsourcing management capabilities, outsourcing providers' basic and specific capabilities, communication quality, and partnership quality on outsourcing performance. Data is collected from 145 practitioners in container terminal operators at Port of Kaohsiung in Taiwan. A moderated mediation model was developed for data analysis. The research findings showed that firms' outsourcing management capability positively influenced outsourcing providers' basic and specific outsourcing capability, and that outsourcing providers' basic and specific outsourcing capability positively influenced outsourcing performance. Specifically, the results also indicate that communication quality and partnership quality had moderating effects on the indirect effect of outsourcing management capabilities on outsourcing performance through outsourcing providers' basic and specific outsourcing capability. Theoretical and managerial implications from the research findings on outsourcing management for container terminal operators are discussed.