This study aims to propose an assessment tool of port service quality (PSQ) in the context of container transport logistics (CTLs), by taking the perspectives from port users. The CTLs defined in this study are the relevant activities of serving the physical flows of a container box from a point of origin via a container port to a point of destination. To address the ports’ role in collaboration between its channel members in CTLs, the PSQ measures for all port user groups (i.e. common PSQ measures) are selected based on the relevant CTLs activities involved by port, and its users within terminal/port area as well as throughout the CTLs chain. An importance-performance analysis (IPA) is applied as a diagnostic tool to analyse the status quo of Busan Port in CTLs contexts, by comparing the importance and performance (IP) scores against each individual CTLs criterion. The findings from the IPA reveal that port managers and policy makers at the Busan Port should concentrate on six PSQ measures (i.e. SR1, SR4, ITS1, VAS1, VAS4, ICI3) to enhance PSQ in CTLs. However, four measures (i.e. ITS2, ITS3, ITS4, VAS2) are identified as a possible overkill, indicating an area of inefficiency where a remedial action of the cost-cutting decision is necessary. On the other hand, the Busan port shows an outstanding performance on four measures such as SR2, SR3, ICI1 and ICI2. The measures are not only important but also high performance. The study findings provide managerial guidance to port managers in Busan Port, in view of searching for managerial and operational strategies for sustainable port growth.

To achieve a differential advantage over competitors and protect their long-term interest, shipping lines have striven to find ways to maintain an ongoing relationship with shippers which can be achieved by attaining their loyalty. The benefits of loyal shippers are potentially huge in that they generate long-term revenue streams as well as provide cost savings as compared with attracting new shippers. Logistics service provided by shipping lines is identified as one of the effective tools for building customer loyalty. However, in a review of the literature none of the studies examine how logistics service creates customer loyalty, particularly between shipping lines and shippers. Consequently, the overarching purpose of this paper is to extend knowledge on logistics service performance and its relationship with customer loyalty in the unique context of maritime transport by proposing a new conceptual model based on an extensive literature review. The major contribution is to offer a new insight into the complex relationships between those 'soft' concepts in the context of maritime transport.

본 연구의 목적은 국제물류서비스 제공자인 복합운송주선업체와 그 수요자인 화주간의 관계에서 복합운송주선업체의 서비스지향성과 종업원만족, 경영성과간의 구조적인 관계를 검정하고자 하는 것이다. 연구목적을 효과적으로 달성하기 위하여 문헌연구와 함께 복합운송주선업체를 대상으로 한 설문조사를 통한 실증분석을 병행하였다. 연구결과 복합운송주선업체의 서비스지향성은 종업원만족에 긍정적인 영향을 미치며, 종업원만족은 기업의 재무적 성과에 영향을 미치는 것으로 분석되었다.

The purpose of this study is to shed some light on how market orientation, mediators such as employee satisfaction, service quality and commitment, and business performance are related and to offer important managerial implication for managements or marketing practioners in the International logistics service industry.