Seaport Decision Making and Policy Design in Terminal Expansions and Capital Infrastructure Developments: Case Studies on Collaboration, Governance, and Civic Engagement at the Port of Los Angeles, CA (USA)

Purpose. This study explores seaport decision making, policy design, and lessons learned from 3 terminal expansions and capital infrastructure development investments. Cases explored collaboration, governance, and civic engagement, and concepts of port competition, knowledge, motivation, and organization.;Theoretical Framework. This research draws from theories of collaborative planning and collaborative governance, after-action-review (AAR) frameworks, and the Wilder Collaboration Factors Inventory tool. The closing chapter is interwoven by the knowledge, motivation, and organization framework and citizen engagement principles.;Methodology. This mixed-methods research incorporated primary and secondary data, 2 participant surveys, 1 focus group session, and semistructured interviews. Descriptive statistics, comparison means test, and Pearson chi-square correlation were used to analyze data. In total, 85 individuals participated in this study. Examination of cases spanned across 20 years.;Findings. Examination of the data suggest in Case 1 that 3 consensus-building processes had a higher degree of perception in the governance setting, 4 processes had varied influences on governance, and 7 characteristics had a positive influence on governance. In Case 2, 4 major root causes created the problem examined and identified sustainable and nonsustainable practices along with lessons learned to improve decision making. In Case 3, 5 areas could be improved, yet leadership and collaboration were strengths, and 7 factors had an influence on collaboration and governance. The final chapter suggests 8 important factors in decision making and competition and identifies more than 500 stakeholders in the public deliberation process from 8 cross-sector scales and a moderate strength in civic engagement.;Conclusions and Recommendations. The study data support that the Port of Los Angeles, CA (USA) is transcending/transforming in a more joined-up, complex collaborative governance network environment involving multiple sectors and new public governance schemes; AARs improve organizational effectiveness; public deliberation supports civic engagement; port competition and its tripartite dilemma is reshaping local geographies, economies, and societies; and collaboration and governance inform decision making and policy design. Study recommendations include but are not limited to conducting research on collaborative and governance outcomes; improving organizational effectiveness through consensus building, collaboration, and governance; conducting local community and economic impacts from waterfront development ports; and encouraging ports to build partnerships with local universities and colleges.