Resumen de Are there significant differences in port innovation after decentralisation?: WATERSHED ANALYSIS.

Lidia Sánchez Ruiz, Beatriz Blanco Rojo, Juan Ramón Oreja Rodríguez, Carlos A. Pérez Labajos, Ernesto Madariaga Domínguez

• In the nineties, a change in the Spanish Port Authorities Management model took place. Until then, Port deficits were financed by the State. The new regulations imposed the self-financing, among other changes. As a result, Port Authorities were immersed in an extremely competitive environment where self-financing and financial sufficiency became the main objectives. Based on this situation, the aim of this study is to analyse whether, after 15 years of self-management, there exist significant differences among the three watersheds where the Spanish Port Authorities are located (Mediterranean, Atlantic and Cantabrian). So, we want to know whether decision taking decentralization has caused any imbalance among the different watersheds.