“…For instance, Bichou and Gray (2005) propose that the performance of ports could be measured according to its contribution to overall added value of the channel. While some studies (i.e: Marlow and Paixao, 2003;Paixao and Marlow, 2003) offer logistics concepts such as leanness and agility for investigating port performance, other follow an empirical approach and suggest several constructs such as value-added services (i.e: Tongzon et al 2009) and information and communication systems (i.e: Panayides and Song, 2009). For instance, Carbone and De Martino (2003) investigate the contribution of a port to value creation through a case analysis, whereas Song and Panayides (2008) use 'use of information and communication technology', 'relationship with shipping line', 'value added service', 'integration of transport modes', and 'relationship with inland transport operators' as measures of port supply chain integration through a questionnaire survey.…”