Career decision making in the maritime industry: research of merchant marine officers using Fuzzy AHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS methods

Abstract

Individual career planning plays a key role in achieving success, goals, and ideals in professional life. However, managing to accomplish such favorable results depends on the correct decisions of graduates to choose suitable job opportunities. Oceangoing watchkeeping officers, who are responsible for the management and administration of vessels at sea, have several job options which are differentiated by vessel type, such as; bulk carriers, chemical tankers, general cargo ships, and container ships, etc. This study aims to discuss the criteria that Turkish oceangoing watchkeeping officers take into consideration and the values they attribute to such criteria regarding their vessel type preference. The aim is to provide instructions to oceangoing watchkeeping officer candidates and academicians who are interested in these issues and related parties of maritime industry. Attribution values of the criteria are determined by means of Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the most preferred alternative vessel type is revealed through Fuzzy TOPSIS methodology. According to the study results, the most important factors are; revenue, perception of occupational health and safety, and labor work density. The most preferred ship type among alternatives is the oil tanker.