DIGITAL COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE AND FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION IN SEAPORT–DRY PORT MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT SYSTEMS: A PERFORMANCE-BASED FRAMEWORK FOR MARITIME SILK ROAD CORRIDORS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20420916Abstract
Seaport–Dry Port multimodal transport systems have become an important mechanism for
extending maritime logistics systems into inland regions along the Maritime Silk Road. However, the performance
of many cross-border logistics corridors remains constrained due to institutional fragmentation, including
differences in regulatory procedures, administrative systems, and information platforms. These inconsistencies
may increase coordination costs and reduce operational efficiency.
This study proposes an analytical framework for evaluating corridor performance in Seaport–Dry Port
multimodal transport systems from a collaborative governance perspective. Drawing on the literature of
institutional theory and institutional collaborative governance, the research conceptualizes Virtual Port
Coordination (VPC) as a governance mechanism that facilitates functional integration and complementarity
across geographically dispersed logistics nodes. An evaluation system comprising 19 indicators is developed
under four dimensions: service capacity, service quality, operational safety, and social contribution. Indicator
weights are calculated through a combination of expert judgment and data-based weighting, while corridor
performance is assessed using the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making technique.
The framework is applied to the logistics corridor connecting Ningbo–Zhoushan Port and Tashkent Dry
Port. The corridor application indicates that information integration and process coordination are positively
associated with corridor performance, while stronger collaborative governance capacity appears to enhance
coordination effectiveness. The findings offer theoretical implications for understanding governance mechanisms
in multimodal transport systems and practical implications for improving coordination efficiency in cross-border
logistics corridors.
Keywords
Collaborative Governance, Virtual Port Coordination, Seaport–Dry Port Integration, Multimodal Transport, Maritime Silk Road, Logistics Corridor PerformanceReferences
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