Investigating the Structural Dynamics of Terminal Operating System Selection: A Holistic Framework from Automation to Intelligence in Container Terminals

In the face of mounting complexity in container terminal operations, the selection of an effective information system is paramount. The TOS (Terminal Operating System) is the most significant of all the information systems in existence for terminals. The objective of this study is to establish a set of criteria for selecting container TOS, determine the priority weights of these criteria and investigate their interactions. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to address this topic in such a detailed context. The hybrid FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) and F-DEMATEL (Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) methodology was employed for the 18 criteria that were identified through the academic literature and expert views. The findings demonstrated that container terminal operators have expressed an expectation for a TOS structure that integrates complex business processes, provides effective decision support, increases traceability, works in harmony with advanced technologies, supports smart port transformation processes, enhances digital maturity and enables rapid intervention in bottlenecks. Furthermore, the fact that TOSs should support integration with external stakeholders is also critical in terms of collaboration and transparency, which are of great importance in supply chain management. It is hoped that the present study will contribute to the relevant literature and also provide a structural framework for terminal operators to select the most suitable TOS and for providers to design the most effective product.