Abstract
Critics of governmental operations usually tend to blame slow bureaucratic processes for the lack of effectiveness in government (Galambos, 2021). Such processes are most evident in seaports across the United States, which have been slow to implement cost saving solutions at the expense of taxpayers (National Defense Transportation Association). Moreover, an increased focus on commercial interests and the inclusion of market-driven considerations has promoted public and private operated ports. Consequently, traditional public operated ports have switched from public sector management to various forms of cross-sector collaboration. With the emphasis on attracting more customers and profit growth, it is imperative to reiterate the values and elements of public administrations in these environments. This is not only an issue in the US, as operational efficiency at seaports throughout the world has been increasingly under scrutiny and made evident by the need for reform in port governance (Woo et. al, 2011). Using the Port of Los Angeles’ operations as a case study, the authors of this paper will identify the factors that could help mitigate the stresses on port operations and analyze the benefit of adopting collaborative governance initiatives to improve port capacity and operational efficiency. As many other seaports, the Port of Los Angeles is looking for potential solutions to improve logistical challenges, while maintaining customer satisfaction and overall efficiency of the supply chain in America and the rest of the world. Using a comparative approach, the authors will also analyze how the Port of Rotterdam has been able to implement a successful type of collaborative governance to intelligently integrate sustainable management methods, without sacrificing quality or effectiveness. The incorporation of automated technology and cross-sector interagency relations, among other elements, has helped improve operational productivity.