Actualizing the affordances of seaport smart container terminal system in a developing country

Abstract

Transportation by sea routes and seaport container terminals are critical infrastructure that facilitates global trade. Thus, the emerging information systems research on smart container systems is essential. However, these studies lack empirical insights, and there is little on developing country contexts. To address these knowledge gaps, this study employs qualitative interpretive case study approach and technology affordance and constraint theory to investigate how Ghana’s port authority replaced a predominantly paper-based container handling system with smart systems, as well as the consequences of doing so. The study’s findings show that technology affordances are actualized in a developing country seaport smart container system based on management’s perception of the system and the port’s situational context. The study’s findings show significant improvements over the manual paper processes, along with constraints including stakeholder digital unpreparedness, limited data storage capacity, unreliable internet and power supply disruptions, and equipment breakdowns. The findings have implications for research, practice, and policy.