Conceptualization of Smart Ports

Purpose: The main purpose of the article is to analyze how smart seaports are presented in the literature and source materials, as well as the existing discrepancy in the interpretation of this concept in terms of imprecision, arbitrariness in assigning characteristics to them, and the lack of a conceptual framework for this definition. Design/Methodology/Approach: A literature review was used to generate a representative pool of definitions of the Smart port concept from among searches in electronic scientific databases. In addition, a content analysis of the definitions was conducted to identify activities, tools, technologies and key attributes associated with smart ports. Findings: The presented review of literature and source materials confirmed the lack of a standard and documented definition of smart ports, which at the same time makes it impossible to establish indicators for assessing the degree of implementation of the smart port concept in seaports and their evaluation to date is subjective. Practical Implications: The literature review showed how important it is to systematize knowledge and definitions of smart ports in order to be able to create a common tool for assessing the level of maturity of smart seaports. Originality/Value: To date, there is no extensive research on the conceptualization of smart ports, and case studies of ports implementing the smart port concept in their assessment appear in the literature.