The Impact of Management Practices use on Brazilian Port Authorities' Performance

This study analyses the relation between management practices and the performance of Brazilian port authorities. In order to do so, a survey-based evaluation tool of the quality of management practices was developed. In addition, a set of operational and financial performance indicators of such port authorities and their ports was calculated. The differences in operational and financial performance between port authorities with a high and a low quality of management practices were analysed by Student t-tests and the relation between management practices and port performance was accessed through linear regression analysis. The results indicated that the better managerial practices have a positive impact on port authorities' financial performance but have no significant impact on ports' operational performance. The study also found that port authorities controlled by States and Municipalities have better financial and operational results and use more management practices than those managed by the Brazilian Federal Government.