Economic Geography Research

Economic Geography Research

Analyzing the Resilience of Marine Infrastructure in Southern Iranian Ports with an Emphasis on the Adoption of Emerging Technologies and Smart Infrastructure

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
1 Department of Management, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
2 Department of Management,, Imam Reza International University,Mashad, Iran
10.30470/jegr.2026.2082644.1363
Abstract
In the contemporary global economy, maritime infrastructures function as strategic corridors of international trade and essential enablers of sustainable economic growth. However, these infrastructures are increasingly exposed to systemic risks, including supply chain disruptions, sophisticated cyber intrusions, and climate-related stresses, all of which challenge their operational continuity and long-term resilience. Although emerging technologies offer considerable potential for strengthening infrastructure resilience, their strategic adoption and implementation in developing economies necessitate rigorous empirical investigation. This study examines the impact of emerging technology adoption on maritime infrastructure resilience, emphasizing the mediating roles of smart infrastructure deployment, organizational agility, and strategic collaboration within the broader context of economic development. The research is applied in purpose and employs a descriptive–correlational design with a causal modeling approach. The target population included senior and middle managers, infrastructure professionals, and experts in smart technologies and resilience across five major southern ports of Iran—Shahid Rajaee, Shahid Bahonar, Imam Khomeini, Bushehr, and Khorramshahr—comprising approximately 1,350 individuals. Using the Krejcie and Morgan sampling framework, a sample of 250 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a validated and reliable structured questionnaire, and the hypotheses were tested via Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The empirical findings indicate that the strategic adoption of emerging technologies exerts a positive and significant effect on smart infrastructure deployment (β=0.429, t=3.572, p=0.003), organizational agility (β=0.354, t=3.737, p=0.002), and strategic collaboration for economic development (β=0.346, t=3.346, p=0.004). Moreover, the direct relationship between strategic technology adoption and maritime infrastructure resilience is strongly supported (β=0.740, t=20.072, p<0.001). Overall, the results suggest that the integration of emerging technologies with intelligent infrastructure systems, agile organizational capabilities, and collaborative strategic mechanisms constitutes a robust pathway for enhancing maritime infrastructure resilience in developing economies.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 03 June 2026

  • Receive Date 02 January 2026
  • Revise Date 06 May 2026
  • Accept Date 13 May 2026