ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses whether the strategic management systems of the ports of Gdynia and Gdansk relate to the degree of environmental turbulence; and inter-port variations can be observed although both ports have been and are subject to almost identical environmental influences. In Conceptual model the rectangles represent two ports. The circle in between is to symbolise that both ports share almost the same location. Environmental forces represented by arrows shape and deform the environment as indicated by the ellipses. The chapter outlines the conceptual models and continues to provide detailed information and analysis regarding the methodology of the study. It addresses the issue of sampling and explains and justifies the characteristics of the data collection methods that were chosen to ensure validity, generalisability and objectivity of the study. The chapter shows how a series of design issues were tackled in order to maximise data quality output and thus improve and sustain the quality and reliability of the results.
