Beyond the landlord: worldwide empirical analysis of port authority strategies

Research applying a strategic management perspective to port authorities is limited and mostly consists of specific case studies or comparative analyses of port authorities in a specific geographical area. In response, this paper offers a worldwide survey of 94 port authorities, the results of which address their strategic scope, i.e., the set of activities they undertake. While many port authorities are described as 'landlords', they often provide services that are not generally associated with this landlord role. A factor analysis of the survey results shows consistent and recurring patterns of strategic activities. Statistical analysis, aimed at exploring the relationship between port authorities' institutional position and strategic scope, indicates that PAs with more autonomy and a more business‐like structure have a wider strategic scope and more business‐like goals. At the same time, this might imply a shift in focus from goals at the macro level to goals at the firm level, as well as PAs moving from a more facilitating role towards a more entrepreneurial role.