IMPACTS OF SEAFARING DIVERSITY : TAIWANESE SHIP-OFFICERS' PERCEPTION

Abstract

The sole employment pattern of national vessels has been broken in Taiwan, and seafaring diversity, called mixed seafarers, has also emerged, following the pattern of traditional maritime nations. The authors hypothesized that there would be a negative impact on Taiwanese seafarers' psychological and behavioral attachment to working of a team. This study was carried out from the perception of Taiwanese seafaring officers. Data was collected through questionnaires from seafaring officers who participated in the shore-based promotional training in Taiwan on April 26-31, 2004. An empirical analysis based on a hierarchical regression model was conducted. Results revealed that seafaring diversity has a significant negative effect on Taiwanese seafaring officers' job satisfaction. The study, however, reveals no significant impact to officers' organizational commitment or intent to turnover. The authors consider that the industry-specific nature of seafaring officers is the possible explanation.