TRANSFERRING PORT MULTIMODAL COORDINATION CAPABILITIES ACROSS INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXTS: LOCALIZATION MECHANISMS IN THE CHINA–UZBEKISTAN LOGISTICS CORRIDOR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19277753Keywords:
Multimodal Transport Coordination; Governance Capability Transfer; Double Landlocked Country; Belt and Road Initiative; Port RegionalizationAbstract
The paper investigates the migration of port multimodal coordination capacity to different institutional settings,
specifically localization processes within the China–Uzbekistan logistics corridor. The study is longitudinal and is based
on an embedded case study design, which incorporates semi-structured interviews with 47 stakeholders, longitudinal
operational data, and analysis of 127 official documents. The results show that there has been a high level of improvement
in the performance of the corridor logistics, such as a tremendous decrease in transit time and costs of logistics, as
well as a fast increase in the throughput of multimodal transport. The research suggests a four-dimensional capability
decomposition framework and a three-stage localization model, which adds to the port regionalization theory and policy
mobility literature. The study offers practical knowledge to Chinese port operators, governments of double landlocked
countries, and multilateral development organizations engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative
References
1. Argote, L., & Ingram, P. (2000). Knowledge transfer: A basis for competitive advantage in firms. Organizational Behavior
and Human Decision Processes, 82(1), 150–169. https://doi.org/10.1006/obhd.2000.2893
2. Aydogdu, Y. V. (2015). Quantifying the benefits of port community systems. Maritime Policy & Management, 42(5),
401–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2013.825053
3. Balci, G., Cen, C., Leung, X. Y., & Peng, W. (2021). Blockchain adoption in the maritime supply chain: Examining
barriers and salient stakeholders. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 156, 102539.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tre.2021.102539
4. Bontekoning, Y. M., Macharis, C., & Trip, J. J. (2004). Is a new applied transportation research field emerging?—A
review of intermodal rail–truck freight transport literature. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 38(1),
1–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2003.06.001
5. Caris, A., Macharis, C., & Janssens, G. K. (2008). Planning problems in intermodal freight transport: Accomplishments
and prospects. Transportation Planning and Technology, 31(3), 277–302. https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060802086397
6. Chen, H., Li, Y., & Liu, Y. (2021). Belt and Road Initiative and logistics performance in host countries: Evidence from
Central Asia. Journal of International Development, 33(7), 1283–1305. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3617
7. Dolowitz, D. P., & Marsh, D. (2000). Learning from abroad: The role of policy transfer in contemporary policy-making.
Governance, 13(1), 5–24. https://doi.org/10.1111/0952-1895.00121
8. Eisenhardt, K. M., & Martin, J. A. (2000). Dynamic capabilities: What are they? Strategic Management Journal, 21(10–
11), 1105–1121. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-0266(200010/11)21:10/11%3C1105::AID-SMJ133%3E3.0.CO;2-E
9. Faye, M. L., McArthur, J. W., Sachs, J. D., & Snow, T. (2004). The challenges facing landlocked developing countries.
Journal of Human Development, 5(1), 31–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649880310001660201
10. Heeks, R. (2018). Information and communication technology for development (ICT4D). Technological Forecasting
and Social Change, 146, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2018.01.007
11. Kostova, T. (1999). Transnational transfer of strategic organizational practices: A contextual perspective. Academy of
Management Review, 24(2), 308–324. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1999.1893938
12. Kostova, T., & Roth, K. (2002). Adoption of an organizational practice by subsidiaries of multinational corporations:
Institutional and relational effects. Academy of Management Journal, 45(1), 215–233. https://doi.org/10.2307/3069283
13. Lemoine, F. (2020). Journal of Development Studies, 56(7), 1333–1354. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220388.2020.171
5949
14. Monios, J., & Wilmsmeier, G. (2012). Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 46(10), 1551–1561. https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2012.07.007
15. Notteboom, T. E., & Rodrigue, J.-P. (2005). Port regionalization: Towards a new phase in port development. Maritime
Policy & Management, 32(3), 297–313. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088830500139885
16. Peck, J. (2011). Geographies of policy: From transfer-diffusion to mobility-mutation. Progress in Human Geography,
35(6), 773–797. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132510394010
17. Roso, V., Woxenius, J., & Lumsden, K. (2009). The dry port concept: Connecting container seaports with the hinterland.
Journal of Transport Geography, 17(5), 338–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2008.10.008
18. SteadieSeifi, M., Dellaert, N. P., Nuijten, W., Van Woensel, T., & Raoufi, R. (2014). Multimodal freight transportation
planning: A literature review. European Journal of Operational Research, 233(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
ejor.2013.06.055
19. Szulanski, G. (1996). Exploring internal stickiness: Impediments to the transfer of best practice within the firm. Strategic
Management Journal, 17(S2), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250171105
20. Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and microfoundations of (sustainable) enterprise
performance. Strategic Management Journal, 28(13), 1319–1350. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.640
21. Wilmsmeier, G., Monios, J., & Lambert, B. (2011). The directional development of intermodal freight corridors in relation
to inland terminals. Journal of Transport Geography, 19(6), 1379–1386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.07.010
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 GREEN ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.