The effect of maritime knowledge clusters on maritime firms’ performance: An organizational learning perspective

Yusheng Zhou, Kum Fai Yuen, Beverly Tan, Vinh V. Thai*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Maritime Knowledge Clusters are known to facilitate regional economic growth. Nevertheless, few studies have been conducted to examine their impact on maritime firms’ performance. Drawing on organizational learning theory, this study investigates the effect of maritime knowledge clusters on the constituent maritime firms’ performance. A conceptual model was proposed and examined using survey data collected from shipping professionals in Singapore. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling were employed as the data analysis approach. The results show that the positive relationship between maritime knowledge clusters and maritime firms’ performance is fully mediated by the firms’ social capital and absorptive capacity in a sequential manner. This indicates that maritime firms should focus on strengthening not only their social capital but also absorptive capacity so as to fully enjoy the benefits brought about by maritime knowledge clusters. In addition, regulators should endeavor to develop global linkage, global systemic mechanisms and local knowledge clusters to facilitate organizational learning of the constituent maritime firms.

Original languageEnglish
Article number104472
JournalMarine Policy
Volume128
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Aquatic Science
  • General Environmental Science
  • Economics and Econometrics
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
  • Law

Keywords

  • Absorptive capacity
  • Firm performance
  • Maritime knowledge clusters
  • Organizational learning theory
  • Shipping industry
  • Social capital

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