Analysis of ship masters' individual decision making process for the management of ship operations and application of an integrated model

ABSTRACTPhD ThesisAnalysis of Ship Masters? Individual Decision Making Process for theManagement of Ship Operations and Application of an Integrated ModelSelçuk NASDokuz Eylul UniversityInstitute of Social ScienceDepartment of Maritime Business AdministrationShip masters, who have a significant role in the internationally dynamicstructure of the shipping industry, are in such a powerful position that anydecisions they make with respect to their profession are able to directly affectnot only the shipping companies they work for but also the whole shippingindustry to a considerable extent. Such a powerful effect arises from the factthat ship masters are held fully responsible not only for the command of theirships but also for all other issues related with their operational tasks.Considering the importance of their positions, almost all actions to be carriedout by masters have been standardized through international regulations andcodes such as the ISM Code. Nevertheless, however, since the decisionsmade by masters are to certain extents based on individual choices, they areaffected by a great variety of factors. The aim of this study is to determinethose factors likely to affect the decision making processes exercised by shipmasters. In order to develop these determinants, a focus group has beenformed from those representing the maritime related environments as well asthe organizational environments ship masters are involved in. The study hasalso determined the variables likely to affect the individual decisions made bymasters during ship operations. The variables determined have then beenreviewed and worked on in an integrated model based on the literature relatedto both decision making processes as well as maritime related issues and ISMpractices. It is aimed to collect the evaluations of ship masters on thesevariables. The second stage of the study comprises a survey making use of aquestionnaire for data collection. The survey has been conducted with theship masters passing through the Turkish straits and calling the Turkishports. Throughout the study, as an international sample, 358 ship mastershave been reached, and the data received have been exposed to comparativeanalyses. The results of the study cover the factors likely to affect theindividual decision making process of ship masters and the findings relatedwith the comparative analyses.Key Words : 1) Maritime, 2) Ship Master, 3) Decision Making, 4) ShipOperations, 5) Shipboard Management