The Performance of Seaport Clusters - RePub - Erasmus Universiteit ...

11 GOVERNANCE AND PERFORMANCE IN
SEAPORT CLUSTERS; RESULTS OF THE CASE
STUDIES
In this chapter the results of the case studies with regard to the relation between cluster
governance and cluster performance are discussed. As in the preceding chapter, the survey
results are given in a series of tables, and two calculations to analyze the statistical
significance are used: the significance of majority opinions and the significance of the
differences of results between the cases. The second test only yields relevant results when
it can be assumed that the experts in the three cases have the same reference point. For
some questions on the ‘score’ of a port cluster this assumption is questionable. Thus, the
comparison of the outcomes of these questions is done with some precaution.
In the next four paragraphs the four variables (trust, intermediaries, leader firms and
collective action regimes) are discussed. First, the relevance of the concept of cluster
governance is demonstrated with the results of two propositions (see Table 47).
Table 47: Survey results on the relevance of cluster governance
Total LMPC Rotterdam Durban
Proposition A D NO A D A D A D
Differences in the governance of a cluster influence
the performance of that cluster.
The development of port clusters is the result of the
interplay of market forces and (inter)national policies.
The quality of local governance does not have a
substantial affect on the performance of a cluster.
A = agree, D = disagree, NO = no opinion
** Significant majority of experts from across the cases
104** 0 1 28* 0 43* 0 33* 0
10 95** 1 4 25* 3 40* 3 30*
All experts in the three cases recognize the role of governance in a port cluster. All but one
of the experts indicate that differences in governance influence cluster performance. As a