Shipping digitalization management: conceptualization, typology and antecedents

Abstract

Digital transformation is a topical theme in shipping research and professional practice, today. Our paper aims at developing a comprehensive framework of digitalization technologies and their maritime business implications, grounded on available evidence. In order to understand the full complexity of shipping digitalization activities, we addressed technology and management aspects in a coalesced framework. Our research follows a qualitative, case study approach. Five cases of advanced, shipping incumbents’ digitalization activities were investigated. Our research outcome is an overarching theoretical model, which systematizes the technological components (technology typology), the prevailing management rationales (strategic drivers) and determinant factors (practices) of shipping digitalization.