A dynamic capabilities perspective on first mover advantages of Norway in the Northern Sea Route

Norway could use its location as a source of competitive advantage and provide port services to liner shipping companies using the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Norway has to rapidly access an unstable environment which is affected by factors such as weather, political risk amongst others, in order to provide cost efficient services; as shipping (especially liner shipping) is a cost driven industry. In order to do that it needs to create First Mover Advantages (FMA) within a framework of dynamic capabilities. Our research is focused on how Norway can enter, increase and sustain its market share within the NSR through the combination of FMA and Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT). Purposive sampling was used for the identification of the experts participated in the research. Data were extracted from 25 face-to-face interviews with experts related to the topic. Data collected were transcribed and analysed with template analysis. In a follow up session, the experts unanimously conceded with the outcomes of the study.