Diffusion of Innovation Assessment of Adoption of the Dry Port Concept

Abstract

Dry ports, when implemented effectively, reduce seaport congestion, improve seaport throughput and, due to the movement of containers from road to rail, reduce harmful emissions. This study investigates the implementation of dry ports at five U.S. seaports, which is then analysed considering the diffusion of innovation attributes. Data for the study was collected through face-to-face interviews at US East Coast seaports of Miami, Everglades, Jacksonville, Savannah and Charleston. To ensure validity, the triangulation of data sources was performed; i.e. a number of secondary sources were used, such as reports, internal and external documents, as well as site visits to the facilities. Three components have been recognized as key to the successful dry port concept: on/near-dock rail, reliable inland rail connection and a functional inland intermodal facility. These three components have a diverse group of stakeholders, many of whom are unknown to one another; however, when coordinated, they create the innovation of the dry port concept. If the attributes of successful innovations are understood, with respect to their influence specifically on dry ports, then they can be managed to contribute to the successful implementation of dry ports. The novelty of the research lies in its approach of using the diffusion of innovation attributes that have been historically proven to impact the adoption rates of innovations to provide insight into the adoption of the dry port concept.