Title: Factors that affect conflict in a cultural diversified workforce in the shipping industry: The case of the shipping company Seascope Level: Master thesis in Business Administration Author: Ioannis Siarapis Supervisor: Maria Fregidou-Malama Examiner: Akmal Hyder Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate factors that affect conflict in a workforce characterized by cultural diversification in the shipping industry. Methodology: A qualitative approach was used. The primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten employees who were interviewed both on the yacht and in the on-shore office of the company. In order to generalize the results from the case study, the inductive approach was used. Thematic analysis was also my approach for finding different patterns in the empirical findings Findings: There are different factors that affect conflict either by enhancing it or by eliminating it. These are the differences in cultural values, differences in communication, continues feedback to the employees, establishment of a “family” climate and the general management of cultural diversity. In addition, when the employees in high positions are from the same background with the owners, this reduces the possibility of conflict. Limitations: The research was based on a Greek company with approximately 10 employees working on the yacht. Therefore, the current limitation is the relatively small number of employees comparing to big ship companies. Contribution: The managers of shipping companies should consider these factors and act accordingly for the benefit of the company. There are significant differences in the employees’ behavior when they are coming from a different cultural background. Moreover, there are differences in the way they communicate. Key words:  intercultural communication, yacht, conflict, cultural diversity management, shipping industry.

Considered the most cost and energy-efficient mode of transportation, the shipping industry is responsible for 90% of trade and is predicted to grow. Although it has been central for the development of nations, this activity is not exempt of negative externalities, largely contributing for unsustainability. A sustainable transition is, thus, required to address the overall supper wicked problem of the sustainability challenge. This thesis employed qualitative research composed of two main research phases. The first one assesses the alignment of IMO´s legislation with a sustainable transition for the shipping industry. A document analysis of this regulation was done by applying a methodology based on sustainability principles from the FSSD. Our findings point to multiple misalignments with both social and ecological principles, as well as a lack of a systems perspective of the industry. The second phase of the research explores what different practitioners perceive is needed for the sustainability transition. For this, nine semi-structured interviews were conducted. An inductive data analysis resulted in 15 main findings, addressing different topics perceived as relevant for this transition. This included the need for a just and equitable transition; enhanced governance and more stringent regulations; as well as fair and unbiased treatment of seafarers.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Since the rise of the modern corporation in the late 19th century, the debate on the relationship between business and society has flourished, and the negative impact of businesses became evident as the number and scale of large corporations increased. As a result of the globalization of trade and economic activity, regulating and auditing multinational companies have become both more important and more problematic. Along with the new challenges to be met by companies operating in foreign countries, these factors have resulted in a greater demand for corporate social responsibility (CSR). Originating as an Anglo-American management idea, CSR has spread and become a well-established tool for businesses worldwide. In today’s global capitalist system, characterized by open markets, it is widely acknowledged that it is the role of the state to establish the preconditions for the proper functioning of markets by defining legal rules, establishing enforcement bodies, and providing public goods. However, many corporations choose to go beyond the required regulatory levels and voluntarily engage in CSR. Studies of CSR have long been dominated by business and economic scholars, usually with the aim to confirming or denying CSR as a tool for profit-maximization, and until the last decade, social and political scientists have shown little interest in CSR. From a political science view, the relation between the state, markets and corporations is of interest, but few studies have investigated how political institutions influence corporate behavior. This study has therefore researched the institutional determinants of CSR by analyzing the efforts and the role of the Norwegian government in promoting CSR in the shipping industry. The White Paper on CSR was used as guide to the government’s approach to CSR, and was analyzed in light of the specific CSR challenges faced in the shipping industry. For this purpose, a qualitative methodology and case study research design was adopted to provide in-depth information. New institutional theory and comparative political economy provided the theoretical framework for the study, and helped in answering the main research question: What is the role of the Norwegian government, as a political institution, in promoting CSR in the Norwegian shipping industry? as well as the sub-questions. The study identified both strengths and weaknesses in the government’s role as CSR promoter, and argued that the predominantly international focus of the White Paper is suitable for globally oriented industries, like shipping, while reducing its relevance for nationally oriented firms. The study further found that the government as institution provides the industry with CSR incentives, other than financial ones, as it sets the standards for what is perceived as modern and just corporate behavior. In addition, CSR in the shipping industry was found to take an explicit form, and to reflect the national institutional environment. The findings stand in contrast to the way in which the above-mentioned theories expect CSR to take shape in coordinated market economies. In broader sense, the findings affect the perception of the relationship between CSR as a management tool and strategy, and CSR as a political and regulatory tool that may be used actively by authorities. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sedert die opkoms van die moderne korporasie in die laat 19de eeu, het die debat oor die verhouding tussen besigheid en samelewing floreer terwyl die negatiewe impak van besighede sigbaar geword het soos die aantal en omvang van groot korporasies toegeneem het. As gevolg van die globalisering van handel en ekonomiese aktiwiteit, het die regulerende en multinasionale ouditeringsmaatskappye beide belangrik en meer problematies geword. Tesame met die nuwe uitdagings wat maatskappye in vreemde lande moet ontmoet, het hierdie faktore aanleiding gegee tot ‘n groter vraag na korporatiewe sosiale verantwoordelikheid (KSV). KSV het sy oorsprong as ‘n Anglo-Amerikaanse bestuursidee gehad en het ‘n goed gevestigde hulpmiddel vir besighede wêreldwyd geword terwyl dit ook versprei het. In vandag se globale kapitalistiese sisteem wat deur oop markte gekenmerk word, word dit wydverspreid erken dat dit die rol van die staat is om voorwaardes vir die behoorlike funksionering van markte te vestig deur regsreëls te definieer, handhawingsliggame te vestig en publieke goedere te verskaf. Baie korporasies verkies egter om verder as die vereiste regulerende vlakke en vrywillige deelname in KSV te gaan. Studies van die KSV is vir lank oorheers deur besigheid- en ekonomiese geleerdes wat gewoonlik die doel gehad het om die KSV te bevestig of te ontken as ‘n hulpmiddel vir wins-maksimalisering, en tot en met die laaste dekade het sosiale en politieke wetenskaplikes min belangstelling in die KSV getoon. Uit die Politieke Wetenskaplike oogpunt is die verhouding tussen die staat, markte en korporasies van belang terwyl min studies al ondersoek het hoe politieke instellings korporatiewe gedrag beïnvloed. Hierdie studie het dus die bepalende faktore van die KSV nagevors deur die pogings en die rol van die Noorweegse regering in die bevordering van KSV in die skeepsvaart te analiseer. Die Witskrif op KSV is gebruik as ‘n gids vir die regering se benadering tot die KSV, en is ontleed in die lig van die spesifieke KSV uitdagings wat in die seevaart industrie in die gesig gestaar word. Vir hierdie doeleinde is ‘n kwalitatiewe metodologie en gevallestudie navorsingsontwerp aangeneem om in-diepte inligting te verskaf. Nuwe institusionele teorie en vergelykende politieke ekonomie het die teoretiese raamwerk vir die studie verskaf en het gehelp in die beantwoording van die hoof navorsingsvraag: Wat is die rol van die Noorweegse regering, as ‘n politieke instelling, in die bevordering van KSV in die Noorweegse seevaart industrie? Sowel as die sub-vrae. Hierdie studie het beide sterkpunte en swakpunte in die regering se role as KSV promotor identifiseer en het geargumenteer dat die oorwegende internasionale fokus van die Wit Skrif geskik is vir globaal georiënteerde industrieë soos seevaart, terwyl die toepaslikheid van nasionaal oriënteerde firmas verminder is. Die studie het verder bevind dat die regering as instelling KSV insentiewe aan die industrie anders as finansiële verskaf het, deur dat dit die standaarde stel vir wat gesien word as moderne en regverdige korporatiewe gedrag. Daar is verder bevind dat die KSV ‘n eksplesiete vorm aangeneem het in die seevaart industrie om die nasionale institusionele omgewing te vertoon. Die bevindings staan egter in teenstelling tot die manier waarop die bogenoemde teorieë van die KSV verwag om vorm aan te neem in gekoördineerde mark ekonomieë. In die breër sin beïnvloed die bevindings die siening van die verhouding tussen KSV as ‘n bestuur hulpmiddel en strategie en KSV as ‘n politieke en regulerende hulpmiddel wat aktief deur owerhede gebruik kan word.

The diploma thesis gives an overview of the role of maritime transportation in the international trade. It deals with the history, important documents used in the shipping operations, needed contracts and maritime organizations. Concerning the modern trends in maritime transportation, the containerization is pointed out as well as the actual image of shipping market which was affected by the global financial crisis. The thesis also mentions current trends in shipping industry, its challenges and warnings. A closer look is devoted to the Asian region and especially to China. To conclude, part of the paper focuses on the view to the future and an effort to estimate the development of the shipping industry in the next decade.

Green Shipping Practices (GSPs) are a new and increasing trend in the shipping industry. This appears to be a response of the shipping industry to the increasing demand for sustainability in this industry sector. While these practices are gradually becoming acceptable, it is unclear what motivates shipping firms to engage in these practices. This research explored four theoretical perspectives to identify what theory adequately explains the adoption of GSPs and the impact on organisational performance. Through robust literature review, data collection and analysis the conceptualization and definition of GSPs (Lai et al, 2011) is validated. This research through industry case study fills the existing void in literature by identifying what factors influence the adoption of GSPs and how this affects organizational performance. This research adopted a case study approach to exploring the subject area. This is because the research area is still very new and there is little data and literature in this area. The findings suggest that GSPs adoption is largely driven by coercive influences. The research identified factors that influence GSPs adoption classifying them as drivers and enhancers. The research also identified the impact of GSPs on organisational performance classifying the impact as perceived benefits and constraints. The theoretical contribution of this research amongst others include the identification of Institutional theory as plausible explanation for GSPs adoption. Provides adequate explanation to GSPs adoption. Furthermore, this theory is extended to include the influence of moral conviction/values. The research also makes methodological contribution having made use of a qualitative approach in contrast to the prevailing quantitative approach used in similar studies.

This master thesis deals with the very current topic of ballast water management, a very specific field in the maritime shipping industry. The aim of the thesis is to introduce the subject clearly and to sum up the main issues which restrain a smooth implementation of new regulations that emerged from a recently adopted international treaty. This treaty, the so-called Ballast Water Management Convention, will possibly have immediate impact on the seafreight market rates and thus on the entire international trade. So purpose of this thesis is to estimate what the result might be like.

Nowadays, firms are increasingly recognizing the true value of customer satisfaction. In the major market, Mass Customization has emerged trend as firms started to recognize the value of their existing services. The main goal for the company of Mass Customization is to make a balance between matching the customized demands of major customers and acquiring as much benefits. For the sake of survival and growth, the SMEs need to optimize strategy, but it is really difficult to challenge the position of leading firms. Meanwhile, there are potential customers who are large amounts but small size for each individual, most of them have the strong willing to request the customized service because they have specific requirements, which the existing mass customization could not fulfill their needs. Therefore, start or enhance the customized service could be considered as a great way to seize the niche market customers. Purpose of this article is to find out the close contact between customized marketing and customer satisfaction. Depth analysis of a small shipping company is provided in this study. By studying the specific measures of customized marketing in the successful small shipping company, we attempt to find the answer to the following research question: How does customized marketing act on the improvement of customer satisfaction for SMEs? In methodology part we describe our research method: single case but we use mixed method research. Both interview and survey were practiced for data collection. The research results show that customized marketing has the significant positive impact on customer satisfaction, and the different services aspects of customized marketing are varying degrees of effect to customer satisfaction. As a result of studying, some customized marketing measures are indicated which SMEs could implement to effectively improve customer satisfaction.

The term Big Data has been gaining importance both at the academic and at the business level. Information technology plays a critical role in shipping since there is a high demand for fast transfer and communication between the parts of a shipping contract. The development of Automatic Identification System (AIS) is intended to improve maritime safety by tracking the vessels and exchange inter-ship information.  This master’s thesis purpose was to a) investigate in which business decisions the Automatic Identification System helps the shipowners and operators (i.e., users), b) find the benefits and perils arisen from its use, and c) investigate the possible improvements based on the users’ perceptions. This master’s thesis is a qualitative study using the interpretivism paradigm. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. A total of 6 people participated with the following criteria: a) position on technical department or DPA or shipowner, b) participating on business decisions, c) shipping company owns a fleet, and d) deals with AIS data. The Thematic Analysis led to twenty-six codes, twelve categories and five concepts. Empirical findings showed that AIS data mostly contributes to make strategic business decisions. Participants are interested in using AIS data to measure the efficiency of their fleet and ports, to estimate the fuel consumption, to reduce their costs, to protect the environment and people’s health, to analyze the trade market, to predict the time of arrival, the optimal route and speed, to maintain highest security levels and to reduce the inaccuracies due to manual input of some AIS attributes. Finally, participants mentioned some AIS challenges including technological improvement (e.g., transponders, antennas) as well as the operation of autonomous vessels.  Finally, this master’s thesis contributes using the prescriptive and descriptive theories and help stakeholders to find new decisions while researchers and developers to advance their products.

Med en allt hårdare konkurrens om arbetstillfällena för fartygsbefäl krävs det att den arbetssökande att sticker ut ur mängden vid en arbetsansökan. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vad den svenska sjöfartsbranschen värderar av innehållet i ett CV och personligt brev vid anställning av nyutexaminerade svenska fartygsbefäl. Detta har undersökts genom intervjuer med nio rekryterare från olika rederier och managementbolag som anställer svenska juniorbefäl. Genom att söka efter tidigare studier som gjorts angående rekrytering skapades en bredare förståelse av ämnet och dess relevans. Litteratursökningen visade att det finns en kunskapslucka angående hur ett nyutexaminerat svenskt fartygsbefäl bör skriva sitt CV och personliga brev för att vara rekryterare i sjöfartsbranschen till lags. Resultatet av studien visar på vissa mönster i svaren från respondenterna, gemensamt är att det efterfrågas korta CV samt personliga brev med innehåll som är relevant för den sökta tjänsten. Samtidigt visar resultaten att en arbetsansökan tolkas subjektivt och därför i viss mån bör skräddarsys för varje enskild tjänst. / As the competition for employment toughens amongst deck officers high effort is required in order to stand out from the crowd regarding job applications. The purpose of this study has been to investigate what content the Swedish shipping industry values most in CVs and cover letters. This was achieved by interviewing nine recruiters from different shipping companies and management agencies that recruit Swedish junior officers. A literature search regarding previous studies concerning recruitment provided a wider understanding of the subject and its relevance for maritime science graduates. The literature search also revealed a knowledge gap regarding recruiters in the Swedish shipping industry preferences about CVs and cover letters. The results of the study show some patterns and tendencies amongst the respondents, common to all of which is a preference of short and concise CVs and cover letters with content that is relevant for the applied position. The results also show that a job application is interpreted subjectively and therefore to some extent must be tailored to each individual employment opportunity.

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