helen mba _2 - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

TEU's handled at the Port of Port Elizabeth300000250000200000volume 150000100000500000TEU's199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002yearSource: Gajjar (2003)South Africa has experienced an unexpected increase in the volume of imports andexports handled since 1994. South African ports are under increased pressure tofacilitate this increase in port activity. Currently port congestion is a problem forefficient operational functioning (Gajjar, New business development manager, SouthAfrican Port Operations, Port Elizabeth, 30 January 2003, Personal Communication).3.7 THE EASTERN CAPE INTERMODAL INDUSTRY AND PORTER’SDIAMONDPorter argued that a country should be viewed as a platform for a company’s globalstrategy (Monitor Company, 1995:32). He identified four broad attributes of a nation,presented in Porter’s diamond.These attributes shape the environment in which local firms compete and promote orimpede the creation of competitive advantage:• Factor conditions, such as labour, land, natural resources, infrastructure andcapital;92