Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dk4vv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-18T07:53:30.277Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Exploring into contributing factors to young seafarer turnover: empirical evidence from China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2021

Junzhong Bao ,
Yan Li ,
Guoping Zheng  and
Pengfei Zhang Open the ORCID record for Pengfei Zhang [Opens in a new window]
Junzhong Bao
Affiliation:
Marine College, Dalian Maritime University, No.1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Liaoning116026, China
Yan Li
Affiliation:
Foreign Language College, Dalian Maritime University, No.1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Liaoning116026, China
Guoping Zheng
Affiliation:
Marine College, Dalian Maritime University, No.1 Linghai Road, Dalian, Liaoning116026, China
Pengfei Zhang*
Affiliation:
Navigation College, Jimei University, No.1 Jiageng Road, Jimei District, Xiamen, Fujian361021, China
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Various studies suggest that the maritime industry will continue to face the challenge of seafarer shortages. Young seafarer turnover has become a serious issue that cannot be underestimated. This paper aims to identify the root causes of young seafarer attrition in China and explore relevant solutions. It collects information via semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and least-significant difference are utilised for the variance analysis. The findings of the study show that occupational recognition and family responsibility are the two major factors contributing to young seafarers’ outflow. Chinese seafarers’ health status is another important factor that has received little attention. In addition, young seafarers of 31–35 years old have the most possibility of turnover, due to a number of reasons discussed in this paper. Age 40 or thereabouts is viewed as the watershed moment in a seafarer's career, so efforts should be made to help young seafarers pass through the hard period in their early thirties. This paper suggests that a clear career plan could be a potential solution to retain this backbone group as prospective senior officers.

Keywords

young seafarersturnoverinfluential factorsChina
Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Navigation , Volume 74 , Issue 4 , July 2021 , pp. 914 - 930
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2021

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alfonso, S, and Fred, H. (2004). Analyzing Job Mobility with Job Turnover Intentions: An International Comparative Study. Journal of Economic Issues, 38(1), 113–137. doi: 10.1080/00213624.2004.11506667Google Scholar
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and International Maritime Council (ICS). (2015). Manpower 2015 Update: The Worldwide Demand for and Supply of Seafarers. London, UK: BIMCO/ISF.Google Scholar
Beaskoetxea, J. and García, C. (2015). Media image of seafarers in the Spanish printed press. Maritime Policy & Management, 42(2), 97–110.10.1080/03088839.2014.925593CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beatrice, I. J. M., Maria, C. W. P., Pascale, M. L. B. and Breukelen, J. W. M. V. (2018). Job characteristics and experience as predictors of occupational turnover intention and occupational turnover in the European nursing sector. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 108, 108–120.Google Scholar
Bhattacharya, Y. (2015). Measuring safety culture on ships using safety climate: A study among Indian officers. International Journal of E Navigation & Maritime Economy, 3(C), 51–70.10.1016/j.enavi.2015.12.006CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Booth, A. L. and Francesconi, M. (1999). Job mobility in 1990s Britain: Does gender matter? Research in Labor Economics, 19, 173–189.10.1016/S0147-9121(00)19008-9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Caesar, L. D., Cahoon, S. and Fei, J. (2015). Exploring the range of retention issues for seafarers in global shipping: Opportunities for further research. WMU Journal of Maritime Affairs, 14(1), 141–157.10.1007/s13437-015-0078-0CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chinese Ministry of Transport (CMOT). (2016). 2015 China Crew Development Report. Beijing: CMOT.Google Scholar
CMOT. (2017). 2016 China Crew Development Report. Beijing: CMOT.Google Scholar
CMOT. (2018). 2017 China Crew Development Report. Available at: http://www.mot.gov.cn/zhuanti/2018hanghairi_ZT/hanghaibolan_hanghairi/201807/P020180709566829154775.pdf (Accessed on May. 10, 2020).Google Scholar
CMOT. (2019). 2018 China Crew Development Report. Available at: http://www.mot.gov.cn/jiaotongyaowen/201906/t20190626_3217115.html (Accessed on May. 10, 2020).Google Scholar
CMOT. (2020). The Annual Report on Chinese Crew Development Report. Beijing: CMOT.Google Scholar
Drewry Shipping Consultants (Drewry). (2018). Manning Annual review and Forecast 2018/19. London: Drewry. Available at: https://commons.wmu.se/lib_reports/57 (Accessed on May. 10, 2020).Google Scholar
Erikson, E. H. (1959). The healthy personality. Psychological Issues, 1, 50–100.Google Scholar
Exarchopoulos, G., Zhang, P., Pryce-Robertsa, N. and Zhao, M. (2018). Seafarers’ welfare: A critical review of the related legal issues under the maritime labour convention 2006. Marine Policy, 93, 62–70.10.1016/j.marpol.2018.04.005CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fan, L., Fei, J., Schrievera, U. and Fan, S. (2018). An empirical study on the communicative competence of Chinese seafarers. Marine Policy, 87, 65–71.10.1016/j.marpol.2017.10.010CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fenstad, J., Dahl, Ø and Kongsvik, T. (2016). Shipboard safety: Exploring organizational and regulatory factors. Maritime Policy & Management, 43(5), 552–568.10.1080/03088839.2016.1154993CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fu, Q. (2019). Reflections on the management of crew social insurance. COSCO, 2019(06), 56–57.Google Scholar
Huang, Y., Lee, J., Mcfadden, A., Murphy, L., Robertson, M. and Cheung, J. (2016). Beyond safety outcomes: An investigation of the impact of safety climate on job satisfaction, employee engagement and turnover using social exchange theory as the theoretical framework. Applied Ergonomics, 55, 248–257.10.1016/j.apergo.2015.10.007CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jia, X. (2021). Predictors of professional commitment for Chinese new generation cohorts in a sample of seafaring officers. Journal of Navigation, 1–17. doi: 10.1017/S0373463320000739Google Scholar
Jiang, H. and Shen, H. (2018). Supportive organizational environment, work-life enrichment, trust and turnover intention: A national survey of PRSA membership. Public Relations Review, 44(5), 681–689.10.1016/j.pubrev.2018.08.007CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jou, R., Kuo, C. and Tang, M. (2013). A study of job stress and turnover tendency among air traffic controllers: The mediating effects of job satisfaction. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 57, 95–104.10.1016/j.tre.2013.01.009CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kartal, Ş, Uğurlu, Ö, Kaptan, M., Arslanoğlu, Y., Wang, J. and Loughney, S. (2019). An analysis and comparison of multinational officers of the watch in the global maritime labor market. Maritime Policy & Management, 46(6), 757–780.10.1080/03088839.2019.1597290CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kim, Y. (2016). Music therapists’ job demands, job autonomy, social support, and their relationship with burnout and turnover intention. Arts in Psychotherapy, 51, 17–23.10.1016/j.aip.2016.08.001CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Koon, V. and Tee, Y. (2019). When does ostracism lead to turnover intention? The moderated mediation model of job stress and job autonomy. IIMB Management Review, 32(3), 238–248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iimb.2019.10.007Google Scholar
Kwona, Y., Byunb, J. and Park, S. (2020). Exploring the determinants of bus drivers job satisfaction: Evidence from South Korea. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 31, 100436.Google Scholar
Li, N., Zhang, L., Xiao, G., Chen, J. and Lu, Q. (2019). The relationship between workplace violence, job satisfaction and turnover intention in emergency nurses. International Emergency Nursing, 45, 50–55.10.1016/j.ienj.2019.02.001CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Li, F., Chen, C., Xu, G., Chang, D. and Khoo, L. (2020). Causal factors and symptoms of task-related human fatigue in vessel traffic service: A task-driven approach. Journal of Navigation, 73(6), 1340–1357.10.1017/S0373463320000326CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, C., Weng, H., Huang, F., Leung, L. and Wang, W. (2018). Assessing the seafaring intention of maritime students in Hong Kong. Transportation Research, 110, 258–273.Google Scholar
Mobley, W. H. (1977). Intermediate linkages in the relationship between job satisfaction and employee turnover. Journal of Applied Psychology, 62(2), 237–240.10.1037/0021-9010.62.2.237CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pallant, J. (2013). SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS (5th Edition). NSW: Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar
Papachristou, A., Stantchev, D. and Theotokas, I. (2015). The role of communication to the retention of seafarers in the profession. Wmu Journal of Maritime Affairs, 14(1), 159–176.10.1007/s13437-015-0085-1CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Park, Y. (2017). Analysis of on-board job taking and separation of Korean merchant seafarers. International Journal of e-Navigation and Maritime Economy, 7, 63–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enavi.2017.06.007CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Park, T. and Pierce, B. (2019). Impacts of transformational leadership on turnover intention of child welfare workers. Children and Youth Services Review, 108, 104624. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104624CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Robert, T. (2012). The mental health of seafarers. International Maritime Health, 63(2), 78–89.Google Scholar
Royalty, A. (1998). Job to job and job to non-employment turnover by gender and education level. Journal of Labor Economics, 16(2), 392–433.10.1086/209894CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sau, A. and Bhakta, I. (2019). Screening of anxiety and depression among the seafarers using machine learning technology. Informatics in Medicine Unlocked, 16, 100149.10.1016/j.imu.2018.12.004CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shen, J., Wang, Q., Qian, Y. and Zhao, M. (2015). Discussion on factors and suggestions affecting seafarers’ occupational satisfaction. Business, 2015(08), 40–41.Google Scholar
Slišković, A. and Juranko, A. (2019). Dual life of seafarers’ families: descriptive study of perspectives of seafarers’ partners. Community, Work & Family, 22(5), 629–646. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13668803.2019.1579172CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tang, L. and Zhang, P. (2019). Global problems, local solutions: Unfree labour relations and seafarer employment with crewing agencies in China. Industrial Relations Journal, 50(3), 277–291.10.1111/irj.12252CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thai, V., Balasubramanyam, L., Yeoh, K. and Norsofiana, S. (2013). Revisiting the seafarer shortage problem: The case of Singapore. Maritime Policy & Management, 40(1), 80–94.10.1080/03088839.2012.744480CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thomas, M., Sampson, H. and Zhao, M. (2003). Finding a balance: Companies, seafarers and family life. Maritime Policy & Management, 30(1), 59–76.10.1080/0308883032000051630CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tsai, S. (2018). Using the DEMATEL model to explore the job satisfaction of research and development professionals in china's photovoltaic cell industry. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 81, 62–68.10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.014CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turker, F. and Er, I. (2007). Investigation the root causes of seafarers’ turnover and its impact on the safe operation of the ship. TransNav- the International Journal on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation, 1(4), 435–440.Google Scholar
Wang, Y. (2019). Crew insurance status quo and typical case analysis. Shanghai Law Research, 2019(2), 226–233.Google Scholar
Wu, M. (2010). Questionnaire Statistical Analysis Practice - SPSS Operation and Application. 6th Edition. Chongqing, Sichuan: Chongqing Press.Google Scholar
Yogendra, B. (2015). Employee engagement as a predictor of seafarer retention: A study among Indian officers. Asian Journal of Shipping and Logs, 31(2), 295–318.Google Scholar
Yu, H. and Liu, Y. (2007). The construction and empirical research of Chinese family life cycle model. Management Science, 2007(06), 45–53.Google Scholar
Yuan, P. (2017). Research on the cultivation of the value identification of contemporary military industry enterprises. Doctoral dissertation.Google Scholar
Yuen, K., Loh, H., Zhou, Q. and Wong, Y. (2018). Determinants of job satisfaction and performance of seafarers. Transportation Research Part A Policy and Practice, 110, 1–12.10.1016/j.tra.2018.02.006CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhang, P. and Zhao, M. (2017). Maritime health of Chinese seafarers. Marine Policy, 83, 259–267.10.1016/j.marpol.2017.06.028CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhang, X., Ma, L., Xu, B. and Xu, F. (2018). How social media usage affects employees’ job satisfaction and turnover intention: An empirical study in china. Information & Management, 56(6), 103–136.Google Scholar
Zhao, Z., Wadsworth, E., Jepsen, J. and Leeuwen, W. M. A. (2020). Comparison of perceived fatigue levels of seafarers and management approaches in fatigue mitigation: Case studies from two Chinese and two european shipping companies. Marine Policy, 116, 103897.10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103897CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhu, F., Cai, Z., Buchtel, E. and Guan, Y. (2019). Career construction in social exchange: A dual-path model linking career adaptability to turnover intention. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 112, 282–293.10.1016/j.jvb.2019.04.003CrossRefGoogle Scholar