A review of leadership behaviour of maritime officers in international shipping

Abstract

Management or leadership behaviour is regarded as a crucial component for the responsibility, duty and role of young maritime officers. This is due to the difficult, harsh and complex working environment that the maritime industry represents today which makes the duties and tasks of a maritime officer harder to manage as well as to administer. In light of these considerations, this study will focus on the maritime management level and leadership models which must reflect a young maritime officer today, by analysing first the diverse perspectives in connection to the leadership definition, the controversy over the leadership theories and leadership in light of maritime officers’ position. The authors are of the opinion that each leadership style has its weaknesses and strengths; therefore, the effectiveness of the leadership style depends mainly on the demand of the situation, particularly in the maritime working sector – characterized by a harsh and complex environment.