Managing culturally diverse maritime human resources as a shipping company’s core competency

ABSTRACT

The last few years a great body of research focused on the problems observed in the shipping industry due to the mix of different nationalities on board. Herein, the problem is observed in the managerial level, and specifically to the applied crew management strategies and the philosophy of the shipping companies regarding the issue of multiculturalism. The present paper seeks to elevate the value of human resources in shipping and to underline the potentials that human resource management and cultural diversity management have as a shipping company’s core competency. In a triangulated theoretical framework, the combination of resource-based view, human resource management, and cultural diversity management leads to a framework of choices which include strategies for the management of maritime human resources’ cultural diversity. The paper analyses the practical application of the proposed strategies and the fulfilment of the criteria required for turning crew management to a core competency and gaining sustainable competitive advantage from human resources.     

Contingency Planning and War Gaming for the Transport Operations of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games

Abstract

Transport operations constitute a critical prerequisite for the successful staging of a special event. Operations are more challenging to manage for those events that are infrequent and last for several days. In this case, the requirements for unconditional success, coupled with the uncertainties involved, necessitate robust contingency planning. The paper presents a methodological process for developing the transport‐related contingency plans to address pre‐identified emergencies in major events, such as the Olympic Games. War games are proposed to test the resulting contingency plans and train the staff involved in plan implementation. The application of the methodological process to the Athens 2004 Athens 2004 Organizing Committee (ATHOC). 2002. Preliminary Olympic Transport Strategic Plan, Athens: ATHOC.  [Google Scholar] Olympic Games is presented in which transport services were offered to over 50 000 members of the Olympic Family, 150 000 staff and volunteers, and 3.8 million spectators over a period of more than two weeks.     

Value creation through corporate destruction? Corporate governance in shipping takeovers

This paper investigates corporate governance implications for shareholder value in shipping takeovers. Inadequate corporate governance structures are shown to affect corporate growth and even turn a company into a takeover target. The interesting case study of Stelmar Shipping is employed in an event study model, in order to evaluate the impact of takeover bids on corporate value and assess target and bidder shareholder returns. In line with past evidence, target shareholders are found to attain positive value gains but bidder shareholders only marginal benefits. The empirical findings underline the need for convenient corporate governance systems that minimize frictions related to agency problems and potentially result to a positive impact on shareholder value.     

Alternatives in assigning short‐term counts to seasonal adjustment factor groupings

The precise estimation of the annual average daily traffic (AADT) is a task of significant interest for many transportation authorities and Departments of Transportation. In this study, three methods are developed to improve the assignment of short‐term counts to seasonal adjustment factor (SAF) groupings: the traditional functional classification, a discriminant analysis (DA), and a new statistical approach based on a weighted coefficient of variation (WCV). The data analyzed within this study are generated from all available continuous counters within the State of Ohio between 2002 and 2006. The analysis is conducted using SAFs that are separately calculated for the total volume and the directional specific volumes of a site. The results show that the directionally based assignment errors are statistically lower at a 95% confidence interval when compared with those generated by the total volume analysis. It is also found that the hourly time‐of‐day factors are more important in the assignment process than the average daily traffic. The directionally based WCV produces a decline in the average mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) over the roadway functional classification by 58% and in the standard deviation of the absolute error (SDAE) by 70%. On the contrary, the directionally based DA lowers the MAPE and the SDAE by 35% and 60%, respectively. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Second-order hydrodynamic effects on an arrangement of two concentric truncated vertical cylinders

The second-order diffraction problem by a piston-like arrangement that consists of two concentric surface piercing cylinders is considered. The developed matched axisymmetric eigenfunction expansion solution methodology in cylindrical co-ordinates is based on the semi-analytical formulation of the velocity potentials in the various fluid regions which are defined by the geometry of the two-body arrangement. The main difficulty associated with the specific configuration originates from the fact that the geometry defines two fluid regions that extend up to the free surface in which the inhomogeneous second-order free surface boundary condition has to be fulfilled. To this end the associated velocity potentials in these regions are decomposed into a number of components defining the so-called ‘free’ and ‘locked’ waves. The latter are calculated by solving the resulting Sturm–Liouville problems. The seek second-order velocity potential in the whole fluid domain is then derived by enforcing matching conditions for the radial velocities and the fluid pressures at the cylindrical boundaries of adjacent fluid domains. Numerical results concerning the second-order hydrodynamic loading and the wave run-up on the cylinders are given, whereas special attention is given at incident wave frequency regions where the first-order exciting wave forces attain maximum values due to the resonant fluid motions in the moonpool.     

A dynamic route choice model for public transport networks with boarding queues

Abstract

The concepts of optimal strategy and hyperpath were born within the framework of static frequency-based public transport assignment, where it is assumed that travel times and frequencies do not change over time and no overcrowding occurs. However, the formation of queues at public transport stops can prevent passengers from boarding the first vehicle approaching and can thus lead to additional delays in their trip. Assuming that passengers know from previous experience that for certain stops/lines they will have to wait for the arrival of the 2nd, 3rd, …, k-th vehicle, they may alter their route choices, thus resulting in a different assignment of flows across the network. The aim of this paper is to investigate route choice behaviour changes as a result of the formation and dispersion of queues at stops within the framework of optimal travel strategies. A new model is developed, based on modifications of existing algorithms.     

Evaluation of a bus passenger information system from the users’ point of view in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece

This paper presents an evaluation, from the users’ point of view, of an advanced Bus Passenger Real Time Information System, installed at the city of Thessaloniki, Greece. In addition to the methodological approach and the findings presented, the paper explores the greater framework of evaluation procedures in which these analyses should be embedded. In total, 300 questionnaires were returned; the survey aimed to define the basic components of users’ acceptance of the new system as well as socioeconomic issues related with the estimation of the payback period of the project. The survey findings are combined with several research results from recent resembled surveys conducted in the city in previous years.     

Determining the optimal number of seasonal adjustment factor groupings when estimating annual average daily traffic and investigating their characteristics

Although cluster analysis is recommended by the US Traffic Monitoring Guide (TMG) to supplement the development of seasonal adjustment factor groupings (SAFGs), the relationships among SAFGs' characteristics remain undiscovered, while the determination of the optimal number of clusters is an ambiguous task exposed to great subjectivity. Statistical indicators provide a mathematical solution by removing engineering judgment without taking into consideration any guidelines or other criteria, necessary for transportation planners to generate ‘practical and sensible’ groupings. The method examined in this study aims to overcome the above weaknesses incorporating into the methodology a series of statistics, recommendations, and previous research findings. The investigation of the relationships among (1) the within-group variation, (2) the total number of sites, (3) the minimum number of stations within a cluster, (4) the optimal number of clusters, and (5) the geographical size of the groups constitutes the main objectives of this research. According to the results, the cluster variability declines as the available number of stations increases. When the minimum number of stations within a cluster increases, the weighted coefficient of variation inflates as well, with the rate of increase depending on sample size. The average number of automatic traffic recorders per cluster is analogous to the sample size, while the optimal number of clusters varies conversely with the minimum number of stations within a cluster. The application developed for the conduct of the analysis minimizes the computational time needed, while it can be easily implemented by engineers to automate the process recommended by the TMG, enhancing the current state of practice.     

How tube strikes affect macroscopic and link travel times in London

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the five strikes on the London Underground (metro) rail system, which occurred in 2009 and 2010, on macroscopic and road link travel times. A consequence of these strikes was an increase in road traffic flows above usual levels. This provides an opportunity to observe the operation of the road network under unusually high flows. The first objective involves the examination of strike effects on inbound (IT) and outbound traffic (OT) within central, inner and outer London. Travel time data obtained from automatic number plate recognition cameras are used within the first part of the analysis. The second more detailed objective was to investigate in spatio-temporal effects on travel times on five road links. Correlation analyses and general linear models are developed using both traffic flow and travel time data. According to the results of the study, the morning IT had approximately twice as much delay as the OT. Central London experienced the highest delays, followed by inner and outer London. As would be expected, the unique full-day strike in 2009 yielded the worst impact on the network with the highest percentage increase in total travel time (60%) occurring during the morning peak in the IT in inner London. The results from the link-level analysis showed statistical significance amongst the examined links indicating heterogeneous effects from one link to another. It was also found that travel time changes may be more effectively captured through time-of-day terms compared to hourly traffic flows.