Use of Digital-Physical Security System in a Developing Country’s Port: A Case Study of Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand how the use of digital-physical security (DPS) improves port security by enabling or constraining stakeholders’ goals in a developing country. Information Systems (IS) research on digital-physical security has focused more on power networks, automotive, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. Digital-physical security (DPS) research on ports in developing countries remains limited. Therefore, port security systems as a significant IS research is yet to receive the necessary attention. To address this gap, this study employed affordance theory as the analytical lens and qualitative interpretive case study as the methodology to investigate use of digital-physical security for a port in Ghana. The research findings show that developing countries can use digital-physical security systems to improve port security. The findings have implication for research, practice, and policy. The originality of the paper lies in its focus on how a developing country can use digital-physical systems to improve port security as a significant IS research phenomenon.