In the ever-evolving maritime sector, digitalization is a double-edged sword, bringing both opportunities and challenges. A recent study published in the Journal of International Maritime Safety, Environmental Affairs, and Shipping, led by Derya Bayrak from the Maritime Transportation Department at Ordu University, Turkey, sheds light on one of these challenges: technostress among seafarers.
So, what exactly is technostress? Imagine the pressure and anxiety that comes from constantly adapting to new technologies. That’s technostress in a nutshell. Bayrak’s study dug deep into this issue, surveying 411 active ship officers in Turkey. The findings? Seafarers are experiencing medium levels of technostress, particularly in areas like techno-workload and techno-uncertainty. In other words, they’re feeling the heat from the increased workload and uncertainty that comes with new tech. However, the good news is that their techno-complexity levels are low, meaning they’re not overwhelmed by the complexity of the technology itself.
The study also revealed some surprising factors that influence technostress. For instance, marital status significantly affects overall technostress levels. Bayrak notes, “Marital status significantly affects overall technostress, techno-workload, and techno-uncertainty dimensions but not techno-complexity.” This could be due to the added responsibilities and worries that married seafarers might have, but more research is needed to confirm this.
But here’s the kicker: professional experience and ship type didn’t seem to make a difference in technostress levels. This suggests that regardless of their experience or the type of ship they’re on, seafarers are feeling the strain of digitalization.
So, what does this mean for the maritime sector? Well, it’s clear that digitalization is here to stay, and it’s bringing with it a host of new challenges. But it’s also bringing opportunities. The maritime sector is ripe for innovation, and companies that can navigate these challenges and support their seafarers will be the ones that thrive.
Bayrak suggests that “specialized training and support programs” could help seafarers cope with the pressures of digitalization. This could be a game-changer for maritime companies. By investing in their seafarers’ well-being, they could not only reduce technostress but also boost productivity, retention, and job satisfaction.
In the end, it’s all about finding the right balance. The maritime sector needs to embrace digitalization, but it also needs to support its seafarers through this transition. After all, they’re the ones steering the ship, both literally and metaphorically.
