TECHNOLOGY SELECTION FRAMEWORK FOR PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

摘要

This paper introduces a framework for the selection of technology for port development projects in developing countries. The selection of technology in the early project stages has a direct impact on the sustainability of the project in the short and long term. The intended outcome of the research is a framework that will facilitate the selection and adoption of technology for future Port Development Projects to realise sustainable returns on investments made, improved efficiencies, and improved project success in the long term. The research process included an initial literature study to determine the applicability of frameworks and technology selection methodologies. The potential shortcomings in current frameworks were tested through the use of an initial screening survey, which was also used to determine the elements impacting the selection of technology. A later in-depth literature study was used to gain a comprehensive view of the design and application of Technology Selection Frameworks in academia. A technology framework design review survey was undertaken at the completion of the framework design to verify the applicability of the proposed framework design for the container terminal industry. The focus of existing Technology Selection Frameworks in literature is on the manufacturing industries in developed countries and energy and infrastructure projects in developing countries, with little attention on the selection technology for ports in developing countries. Many frameworks focus on the technical process of selecting the technology without taking the overall process view from project inception to handover into account. To encourage a systematic approach for the selection of technology in a staged manner, a process is introduced that begins with the concept phase of a project, moving through the Pre-Feasibility phase and the Feasibility phase where the final selection of technology for the project is concluded. The approach introduces the concept of system boundaries, defined outcomes at each project phase in the selection and the iterative process within each phase that allows controlled changes to assumptions made at any stage in the process.