Benefit segmentation of the container shipping market in Turkey. Issue 6 (17th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balci, Gökcay; Cetin, Ismail Bilge
• Is Part Of: Maritime policy & management. Volume 47:Issue 6(2020)
• Page Start: 797
• Page End: 814
• Publication Date: 2020-08-17
• Subjects: Segmentation -- b2b marketing -- container shipping -- benefit segments -- factor analysis -- cluster analysis; Marine resources -- Periodicals; Shipping -- Management -- Periodicals; Policy sciences -- Periodicals; 333.9164
• DOI: 10.1080/03088839.2020.1729436
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8839

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Marketing policies have gained more importance in container shipping as the industry experiences challenges arising from commoditization. Market segmentation is fundamental to marketing policies, yet it needs a detailed analysis in container shipping. Accordingly, this paper aims to explore homogenous customer groups in container shipping by conducting a segmentation analysis, which can help container lines apply more efficient marketing policies. A survey study is conducted on 356 shippers in Turkey. The study develops five reliable and valid selection criteria factors and applies cluster analysis based on the selection criteria factors. The cluster analysis produces a total of six benefit segments which are differentiable. The segments are significantly identified by the demographic characteristics of shippers. The paper suggests several implications for the marketing policies of container lines.