An influence model in seafaring choice for Taiwan navigation students

The severe shrinkage of available national ship officers in Taiwan over the last several years forces the Taiwan shipping industry to confront a threat to its future development. This study develops and tests the influence models of seafaring choice using structural equation modelling in order to investigate the factors influencing seafaring choices and their corresponding influence paths for Taiwan navigation students. Results reveal that navigation students consider pay, specific natures of seafaring, advice from families and friends, and personal interests when making career choices. Moreover, the influence path model proposed by this study shows that navigation students' intentions to enter seafaring are both directly and indirectly affected by several subjective and objective factors. Further, some suggestions based on the findings of this study are submitted to facilitate their intentions to work aboard ships after graduation.