Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
RESEARCH IN TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT, cilt.66, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
The maritime transport sector is characterised by unique dynamics, including the ease of crew exchange and the increased use of standardised languages by seafarers. These factors have led to greater multinationalism among ship crews, which presents several managerial, cultural and operational challenges. This study examines the factors, drivers and barriers affecting the integration of professional seafarers into the global maritime labour market under multinational working conditions. The study introduces a 'harmony' variable, derived from six attitudinal items, as a proxy for seafarers' adaptability to multinational crew environments. A mixed-method design was employed, integrating quantitative analyses with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of multinational working. A hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to classify the respondents according to their harmony values. The classification of seafarers according to harmony scores was followed by the analysis of quantitative data from 322 respondents and qualitative data from 125 respondents, respectively. The findings indicate that there were no significant differences in the duration of multinational working for seafarers at varying levels of harmony. Moreover, an analysis of the factors that contribute to the duration of multinational work revealed that marital status, competence, and raising with maritime culture were significant predictors. In the context of multinational working, it has been observed that seafarers tend to express concerns regarding their English language proficiency, professionalism, and cultural properties. However, the participants identified several challenges that lie beyond the capabilities of seafarers, including the need for government support, global marketing, and accreditation. These findings underscore the need for policy interventions in maritime education and international cooperation to prepare seafarers for multicultural working environments. Therefore, policy-makers should undergo critical reorganizations in maritime education and training to integrate their mariners with the global labour market.