ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
This study aims to explore operational and contextual factors that influence supply chain integration (SCI) within Port Sudan and how environmental uncertainty acts as a moderating influence. Four determinants i.e. port infrastructure efficiency (PIE), digitalization and technology adoption (DTA), stakeholder coordination (STC) and customs clearance efficiency (CCE) were studied in a cross-sectional survey of 118 maritime and logistics professionals. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was performed using SmartPLS 4 and 10,000 bootstrap subsamples to analyze the data. The reflective measurement model consisted of 30 indicators which met the usual criteria for reliability and convergent validity, while the discriminant validity was qualified. The structural model explained 50.6% of the variance in SCI (adjusted R² = .465; Q²predict = .189). While none of the hypothesized pathways was statistically significant at .05, stakeholder coordination proved to be the greatest predictor (? = .318, p = .058). The main effect of environmental uncertainty on SCI was significant and positive (? = .532, p < .001). The four interaction effects, though, were not significant. Analysis conditioned on the uncertainty showed that coordination among stakeholders was significant in the high uncertainty (? =.569, p =.026) but not in moderate and low uncertainty. Environmental uncertainty was positively associated with SCI, while the four operational associations were not statistically supported in the model tested. This study is unique in providing quantitative data for the supply chain from a Red Sea gateway port that has not received sufficient attention in the global supply chain literature. This translates into some practical implications such as the emphasis on shared shipment information, coordinated cargo-release processes, and infrastructure continuity to strengthen the integration process in uncertain environments.
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