Abstract
The demand for progressive leadership at sea plays a critical role in determining the performance of most of the employees in the sector. There are different approaches that leaders across the industry can use to provide counseling and upright decisions that affect organizational performance positively. This research used questionnaires to collect data from people and analyze the nature and outlook of leadership at sea. Most of the respondents were naval and merchant seafarers. It was easy to obtain truthful information and the sample was eliminated. The report concludes by accepting the alternative hypothesis that states that naval and merchant seafarers do not share the same quality of leadership. The research contributes to the field of administration by empowering readers with information regarding the sea industry and approaches to leadership.
Background
Numerous attempts have been made to understand the type and quality of leadership different seafarers experience when in marine operations. Leadership is critical due to the management’s ability to provide directives for the subordinates to adhere to when conducting specific activities in their line of duty. Seafarers are employed to perform frequent servicing of the ship to eliminate chances of encountering hazardous activities while in travels. These people require management and leaders to provide orders on areas that need servicing hence the need for senior staff to display authority and provide direction for the different seafarers, such as the naval and merchant, to care for the ships. The merchant is the seafarer who travels with the boat as it conducts its travels. On the other hand, the naval is responsible for most of the smooth operations and significant occurrences above the deck. The following research evaluates how leadership occurs in marine and related fields.
The literature review focuses on other research that people have conducted before on the leadership of seafarers and provides an analysis of comparison and contrast between their findings. The empirical study of other researchers’ content examines the geographical, conceptual, and contextual gaps in further research. Conversely, the theoretical approach identifies the theories involved in this research and provides an array of connections between this research and the related ideas. Therefore, the literature review is critical for the primary research as it addresses the foundation for connecting it to other essential approaches identified by others. In addition, this section addresses the methodology used in making findings and analyses the methods used to make findings. The procedure elaborates on the aims and objectives of the research and provides the variables identified when completing the study.
Lastly, the final section is the project plan that identifies the critical details of the restudy, the report’s title, the hypotheses, observation techniques used to make and measure the observation resources required to complete the study literature review, methodology, and the project plan are the main issues addressed in this report.
Instructions for the report
- The researcher must find the best sources for your particular information needs.
- The analysis must identify information sources efficiently.
- Analyse information sources critically in light of a particular information demand.
- Additionally, the study will analyze and elaborate on the social and ethical ramifications of the production and use of information.
Literature Review
The literature review is a critical section of a report that addresses the areas where the information used to make drawings regarding the topic under research is accessible. The team examines the empirical and theoretical reviews of the research study review identifies similar content, and evaluates them to identify the similarities in the findings and other activities that are essential in a report. On the other hand, the theoretical review identifies the leadership theories necessary to conclude the research topic, leadership at sea. Seafarers are, among other things, those whom a shipowner has hired to provide service on board a ship at sea or work done by people who take part in the operation and maintenance of the boat and the boarding of passengers.
Additionally, individuals working on ships’ repairs and maintenance, special ship workers hired to work at sea on board a boat, and cleaning and catering staff can all be seafarers. When they don’t carry out the tasks above, certain groups of people working on boats who also have land jobs are not regarded as seafarers. For instance, offshore professionals, journalists, researchers, cooperating shipping businesses, cooperating craftspeople, and service technicians are not considered seafarers. The people are entitled to minimal protection, which includes the right to rest and care and, in some circumstances, the right to quit and get compensation for lost property. Sometimes basic training and health certificates are prerequisites.
Empirical Review
The working conditions for seafarers are unpredictable due to little room for interaction, and the crew is cut off from society. They spend extra time apart from their loved ones. Therefore, leadership at sea is essential since it significantly impacts the efficiency, security, and working conditions on board (Nilsson & Saetre, 2021). The research identified how future marine engineers and seasoned experts view maritime leadership. The findings demonstrated via subjective quasi-interviews with participants from both groups that seasoned professionals and aspiring marine engineers have the same opinions on what constitutes good leadership at sea. Both parties agree that a good leader should resemble a transformative leader in many ways. The findings of this study highlight the significance of effective leadership at sea, not only in terms of issues relating to workplace safety and conditions but also in terms of long-term interests in maritime technology learning.
Similarly, another research examines the threat of leadership, strategic policies, and Indonesian foreign policy in South China. The study by Sulaiman (2019) examined why there is no counterbalance to what many observers perceive to be a Chinese menace, particularly in the case of Indonesia and Southeast Asia (Sulaiman, 2019). The researcher notices that Indonesia is not developing an alliance to counter China’s expanding dominance in the South China Sea or improving its power projection capabilities, notwithstanding all the worries about the area’s security (Sulaiman, 2019). The grand strategy that affects Indonesia’s military and foreign policy thinking on threat perceptions and economic considerations results in under-balancing conduct, which restricts Indonesia’s alternatives to China (Sebastian and Chen, 2021). Therefore, China as a state is not regarded as posing a significant, direct, or immediate threat that would require a prompt response and could damage Indonesia’s more extensive interests. Instead, the administration’s attention and emphasis continue to be on internal politics and security, particularly how the public perceives how the government’s alliance with China may help or hinder the government.
The research identifies with the topic under investigation despite the differences in the geographical setting (Sebastian and Chen, 2021). Both researchers agree that leadership is vital in delivering good ship transport services. Another challenge between the two pieces of research is that. The report states that leaders are constrained in their policy options due to the desire to preserve their political legitimacy because they will attempt to cooperate with and please those they see as crucial to sustaining their winning coalition (Sebastian and Chen, 2021).
Additionally, group leadership played a critical role in determining how active the employees were. Creating methods for psychological safety and wellness that are on par with the practices and standards now attained regarding physical health may take time, given the diversity of the current literature (Bell et al., 2020). No consistent frameworks can bring together the work already done in the field or establish a proper standard to judge it. Additionally, sufficient data from many intervention strategies have been gathered to pinpoint the essential elements that improve mariners’ psychological well-being (Brown, 2019). Meanwhile, those mariners have distinct preferences regarding therapies, usually ones with a physical focus or more intense leisure activities. This shows that a clear focus on employee voice is necessary to manage different expectations among stakeholders. Finally, the available evidence base’s diversity may be a strength rather than a weakness. It may be possible to create techniques and interventions by enhancing communality and long-lasting interests by generating new methods of analyzing current information.
Limited research directly links leadership at sea with the seafarers; hence, the study relied majorly on observation and surveys we conducted on the actual trips. The literature content available differed from the expectation such that it each addressed a single section of the research. For instance, politics impact the leadership formats and strategies at sea in a significant manner (Sulaiman, 2019). It directly addressed leadership at sea and focused on how leadership decisions impact the working environment and long-term interest in maritime technology. However, the researchers needed to identify how each category of seafarers, such as the naval and merchants, are affected by leadership and management at sea. These were the main challenges the research faced, limiting its effectiveness in conducting accurate study and calling for further examinations by people interested in understanding the scope of leadership at sea.
Theoretical Review
Leadership is defined using specific theories such as trait, transactional, transformation, and contingency theories, among others. These theories are critical for the study since they represent common leadership aspects applicable to most organizations. Thomas Carlyle coined the trait theory in the 1800s, which dictates that leaders are born with specific characteristics that influence their performance and behavior. According to the trait theory of leadership, leaders are defined by a set of innate or inborn traits. These characteristics could be psychological, physiological, intellectual, or other traits. Essentially, the leader and the attributes of the leader are what make an organization successful, according to trait theory. It is assumed that finding individuals with the correct qualities would improve organizational performance. The follower is entirely ignored by trait theory, which only considers the leader.
Max Weber created the transactional theory of transactional leadership. The theory suggests that some leaders are more interested in motivating their subordinates to efficiently attain organizational goals (Alrowwad and Abualoush, 2020). An individual who appreciates structure and order is a transactional leader. This form of administration commands military operations to accomplish goals on schedule, transport personnel, and supplies orderly, and oversee significant enterprises or international initiatives. Transactional leaders need to work better in environments that promote innovation and creativity. Self-motivated individuals who perform well in a structured, guided environment are necessary for transactional leadership. In contrast, transformational leadership aims to inspire and motivate employees. It favors the influence above direction. This theory applies in the sea industry to encourage seafarers to interact and function as a team to meet objectives.
A leadership style known as transformational leadership affects both social systems and individual behavior. In its optimal state, it brings about significant and constructive change in the followers with the ultimate objective of transforming followers into leaders. James MacGregor Burns invented the theory in 1978 to indicate how leadership can socially upgrade society (Robinson and Gray 2019). Transformational leadership improves followers’ motivation, morale, and output via several processes when practiced in its purest form. Connecting the followers’ sense of identity and self to the organization’s mission and collective identity is another.
These theories are essential in the report since they portray different forms of leadership in society and their primary objectives. The approaches aid in selecting the research topic, choosing pertinent data, interpreting the facts, and suggesting explanations of the factors that may have contributed to the observed events. By pointing to places that are most likely to be fruitful, that is, locations in which substantial correlations among variables are expected to be identified, theory offers significant directions and paths for research (Zhou, 2021). No matter how precise the subsequent observations and deductions are, the investigation will only be fruitful if the variables are chosen so that no links exist. A theoretical theory constrains the universe of facts that can be explored. Theoretical frameworks give researchers a clear point of view and a path to follow when investigating the connections between particular variables from an almost endless range of variables.
Methodology
Research Aim and Objectives
Every research must have objectives and goals it aims to achieve after evaluating all measures and variables. Research objectives are specific achievements that the report must learn to meet its purpose. Below are the objectives of this research:
The research’s general objective is to evaluate leadership’s effects at sea.
Other specific objectives of the research include the following:
- To identify the meaning of leadership
- To identify how leadership positions are distributed among the employees
- To determine different types of seafarers and their obligations in the organisation
- To examine the roles of leadership at sea
- To examine the application of different theories of leadership in the sea and ship industry
Research aims and objectives are essential since once the researcher begins collecting data for the research, particularly secondary data, they find a wealth of information about the research issue. The researcher usually strays from the primary topic due to being overwhelmed by the vast amount of material available from numerous sources. There is uncertainty regarding which data should be used for the current research and which data should be disregarded due to the amount of data (Johnson et al., 2020). The goals assist the researcher in staying on task and preventing any detours from the subject of the study. The study’s goals provide a distinct direction and the way forward for the research. The scope is established as soon as the researcher selects the objectives. The primary and secondary data collection, analysis, interpretation, and research conclusion are based on the goals (Mohajan, 2018). These research procedures are all carried out by the objectives and depend upon them.
Statement of Methodology
This research employs a qualitative methodological approach using surveys, questionnaires, and quantitative data gathering and analysis. The qualitative approach was selected as the primary strategy because it enables the researcher to comprehend the numerous components of leadership and teamwork on a deeper level. Understanding what leadership and collaboration training means to mariners is also aided by a qualitative approach. The following approach is used to collect information using questionnaires:
- Choose a representative group of mariners: To gather opinions on what makes for practical cooperation and leadership and how these abilities can be taught, the research population was initially aimed at trainee and experienced mariners from various METIs in various regions.
- The creation of questionnaires: 8 Second, questionnaires were created to gather comprehensive information about the research questions.
- Handling the questionnaire distribution: Thirdly, the semi-structured questionnaires were conducted over the phone and, whenever possible, in person.
- Analysis of the questionnaire responses and interview data was the final step. To gather qualitative information for a deeper understanding of training and opinions on teamwork and leadership qualities, the questionnaire also asked the respondents open-ended questions.
Definitions of Variables
Two forms of variables are dependent and independent. The dependent variable, in this case, is the quality of leadership, whereas the independent variable is the type of seafarer. The research utilizes these variables to measure the extent to which the null hypothesis is correct. A variable might cause a change in another variable, or it can be the force that produces the difference (Kaliyadan and Kulkami, 2019). These are referred to as dependent and independent variables, respectively, in experiments.
Statement of Hypotheses
The research topic comprises the null and alternative hypotheses. The null hypothesis agrees with the research topic, whereas the alternative theories provide other ideas about how leadership impacts the operational progress at sea. The invalid and alternative views are critical in research since they provide a formal agreement or disagreement with the report’s findings (Brear, 2019). The pictures are suppositions regarding a statistical examination of the variables that are essential components of inference and are frequently usable in distinguishing between statistical noise and scientific claims when interpreting experimental data in science. The following are the hypotheses for this research:
- Null hypothesis H0: Naval and merchant seafarers experience the same quality of leadership
- The alternative hypothesis H1: Naval and merchant seafarers do not share the same quality of leadership
- Another alternative hypothesis H2: Naval seafarers receive better leadership qualities compared to merchants
Definition of Methodologies
The approaches in this research include the use of questionnaires and surveys. Questionnaires contain both closed-ended and open-ended items or a mix of the two. According to their demands, this enables researchers to gather qualitative and quantitative data. The questionnaire helps any research have more structure than other research methods like the interview, which can help maximize the success of the information the researcher seeks to investigate and answer. But like any strategy, there are benefits and drawbacks to using questionnaires while conducting the research. The online questionnaire is far more cost-effective than a face-to-face questionnaire distributed in person, over the phone, or by mail because there are no labor, paper, printing, phone, or postal costs to consider. You may rapidly connect with the responders and get their opinion by using various distribution methods for the questionnaire, including emailing, texting, posting a link to it on a website, and making it downloadable via a QR code hence quick and effective (Ebert et al., 2018). Giving anonymity with questionnaires is a significant advantage compared to other methods, especially in sensitive issues. When respondents are anonymous, it immediately makes them comfortable and encourages them to answer honestly. Respondents should have flexibility on avenues to respond to the questionnaires.
Surveys are cheap, particularly for online and mobile ones; the cost per respondent is relatively low. The price per response is frequently far lower than the cost of delivering a paper survey or a phone poll; possible results might reach thousands even if incentives are provided to responders. A considerable population’s characteristics can be described through surveys (Nayak and Narayan, 2019). No other research methodology can offer such a wide range of capabilities, which guarantees efficiency in collecting focused results significant in making judgments. Respondents can provide more honest and accurate replies due to the anonymity of surveys. Respondents must be as candid and transparent as possible to obtain the most accurate data.
Definition of Observations and Measurements
Observations are the statements the research makes based on the findings on seeing, hearing, and noticing. On the other hand, the measurements used in the study are scientifically proven in sizes and amounts. From the observations and measurements, the study concludes that the level of leadership that naval and merchants encounter differs, hence rejecting the null hypothesis and accepting the alternative view.
Resources Required
A skilled workforce is competent, experienced, trained, and effective, and it helps a nation flourish. They are necessary to carry out several development-related tasks. Using their imagination and potential, they can use the available tools and resources. If the nation produces more highly skilled people and resources, the rate of development will accelerate (Misra and Mohapatra, 2019). Another resource for efficient research is the computers and other measurement materials to evaluate the research findings. The researchers need funds to purchase the materials for conducting efficient research. Furthermore, the analysis requires transportation funds to aid the researchers’ movement.
Project Timescale
The research takes place in three months, from 20th November 2022 to 16th May 2023:
Reference List
Alrowwad, A.A. and Abualoush, S.H. (2020) ‘Innovation and intellectual capital as intermediary variables among transformational leadership, transactional leadership, and organizational performance, Journal of Management Development. Web.
Bell, D.J., Self, M.M., Davis III, C., Conway, F., Washburn, J.J. and Crepeau-Hobson, F. (2020) ‘Health service psychology education and training in the time of COVID-19: Challenges and opportunities,’ American Psychologist, 75(7), p.919. Web.
Brear, M. (2019) ‘Process and outcomes of a recursive, dialogic member checking approach: A project ethnography’, Qualitative Health Research, 29(7), pp.944-957. Web.
Brown, S.D., Dahill, D., Baczor, L., King, D., Smith, S. and Mainard-Sardon, J. (2022) Seafarers’ psychological well-being: a rapid evidence assessment. Web.
Ebert, J.F., Huibers, L., Christensen, B. and Christensen, M.B., 2018. Or web-based questionnaire invitations as a method for data collection: a cross-sectional comparative study of differences in response rate, completeness of data, and financial cost. Journal of medical Internet research, 20(1), p.e8353. Web.
Johnson, J.L., Adkins, D. and Chauvin, S. (2020) ‘A review of the quality indicators of rigor in qualitative research, American Journal of pharmaceutical education, 84(1). Web.
Kaliyadan, F. and Kulkarni, V. (2019) ‘Types of variables, descriptive statistics, and sample size’, Indian Dermatology online journal, 10(1), p.82. Web.
Misra, B. B., and Mohapatra, S. (2019) ‘Tools and resources for the metabolomics research community: A 2017–2018 update’, Electrophoresis, 40(2), 227-246. Web.
Mohajan, H.K. (2018) ‘Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects’, Journal of Economic Development, environment and People, 7(1), pp.23-48. Web.
Nayak, M. S. D. P., and Narayan, K. A. (2019) ‘Strengths and weaknesses of online surveys’, technology, 6(7), 0837-2405053138. Web.
Nilsson, R. and Saetre, S. (2021) Leadership at leadership on-board according to experienced professionals and future maritime engineers. Web.
Sebastian, L.C. and Chen, J. (2021) ‘Indonesia’s foreign and maritime policies under Joko Widodo: Domestic and external determinants’, Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, 8(3), pp.287-303. Web.
Sulaiman, Y. (2019) ‘What threat? Leadership, strategic culture, and Indonesian foreign policy in the South China Sea’, Asian Politics and Policy, 11(4), pp.606-622. Web.
Robinson, V. and Gray, E. (2019) ‘What difference does school leadership make to student outcomes?’ Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 49(2), pp.171-187. Web.
Zhou, D. (2021) ‘All at Sea: Confronting exclusion in Ili Bare’s’ The leadership’. Metro Magazine: Media and Education Magazine, (207), pp.40-45. Web.