Maritime management and situational leadership: do maritime leaders use the Hersey-Blanchard model when assigning tasks on board?

Abstract

This study explores the use of Situational Leadership Theory as developed by Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard but specifically in an onboard maritime context, it discovers whether the theory is known about or applied in the day-to-day assigning of tasks by leaders on vessels. The data is collected by survey and then analysed to draw conclusions relating to the proposed hypotheses. The intention is to see if it would be viable to standardise the day-to-day leadership on board vessels in the opinion of seafarers and therefor circumvent some of the eclectic styles of leadership often found onboard.

The study shone some light on the lack of knowledge of Situational Leadership Theory within the maritime industry and showed that there is a perception among seafarers that it would be of great benefit to learn more on the topic and apply the theory in the day-to-day onboard work environment.