STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT DISCOURSE OF TOP-LEVEL MANAGERS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE MARITIME INDUSTRY IN TÜRKİYE

Year 2024, Volume: 6 Issue: 2, 17 - 26, 30.12.2024

Gökhan Gökmen , İlke Sezin Ayaz

https://doi.org/10.47512/meujmaf.1587488

Abstract

In today’s globalised and technologically advanced business landscape, businesses experience various challenges in securing future success. The maritime industry is among the sectors profoundly impacted by global shifts, necessitating decision makers to enhance and adapt their strategic management practices to navigate these challenges effectively. Despite the crucial role of strategic management in the industry, the literature lacks sufficient documentation of decision makers’ perceptions, approaches and practices related to strategy. This study addresses this gap by analysing top managers’ strategic management discourse. Using a dataset of 68 published interviews, the authors employed deductive content analysis based on a novel strategic management keyword dictionary. This process identified 56 keywords categorised under six distinct themes: Government and Markets, Positioning, Performance, Growth, Technology, and Human Resources. The findings revealed that top managers in Türkiye’s maritime industry placed the greatest emphasis on the Government, Markets, and Positioning themes. While top managers’ strong awareness of global environmental challenges signalled the industry’s awareness of sustainability issues, the fewer codes in the ‘Human Resources’ and ‘Technology’ themes suggested top managers’ limited attention to the working environment, required skills, and management styles. Future research can expand on this study by incorporating additional maritime industry-related magazines and publications and provide broader perspectives.

Keywords

Maritime Business Administration, Strategic Management, Content Analysis, Discourse, Top-Level Managers

References

• Akyar, D. A., Celik, M. S., and Ceylan, B. O. (2024). “Global terminal operators: a competitive strategic position analysis.” Maritime Policy & Management, Vol. 51, No. 6, pp. 1210-1228.
• Barca, M. (2005). “Stratejik Yönetim Düşüncesinin Evrimi: Bilimsel Bir Disiplinin Oluşum Hikâyesi.” Yönetim Araştırmaları Dergisi, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 7-38.
• Betz, F. (2010). Yönetim Stratejisi Stratejik Yönetim ve Enformasyon Teknolojisi. Tübitak Popüler Bilim Kitapları, Ankara, Türkiye.
• Bourgeois, L. J. and Brodwin, D. R. (1984). “Strategic implementation: Five approaches to an elusive phenomenon.” Strategic Management Journal, Vol. 5, pp. 241-264.
• Bowman, E. H., Singh, H., and Thomas, H. (2002). “The domain of strategic management: history and evolution.” Handbook of strategy and management, A. Pettigrew, H. Thomas, and R. Whittington, Ed., Sage, London, pp. 31-51.
• Bryson, J. M. (1988). Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organisational Achievement, Jossey-Bass/Wiley, San Francisco.
• Chen, S., Meersman, H. and Voorde, E. (2012). “Forecasting spot rates at main routes in the dry bulk market.” Maritime Economics and Logistics, Vol. 14, pp. 498-537.
• Chistè, C. and Van Vuuren, G. (2014). “Investigating the cyclical behaviour of the dry bulk shipping market.” Maritime Policy and Management, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 1-19.
• Clark H. B., (2018). “Blue growth: Stakeholder perspectives.” Marine Policy, Vol. 87, pp. 375-377. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2017.11.002
• Collins, J. and Jerry I. P. (2004). Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies. HarperBusiness, New York.
• DG Mare. (2012). Blue growth: Scenarios and drivers for sustainable growth from the oceans, seas and coasts, Final Report. https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/maritimeforum/en/node/2946
• Duru, O. (2016). “Motivations behind irrationality in the shipping asset management: Review of fundamental theories and practical challenges.” Maritime Business Review, Vol. 1, No.2, pp. 163-184.
• Duru, O., Bulut, E. and Yoshida, S. (2011). “A fuzzy extended DELPHI method for adjustment of statistical time series prediction: An empirical study on dry bulk freight market case.” Expert Systems with Applications, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 840-848.
• Ekmekçi, Y. A. D., and Sönmezoğlu, U. (2019). Türkiye “Süper Liginde üç büyük futbol kulübünün başkanlarının söylem analizi: 2015-2016 sezonu.” Spor Bilimleri Araştırmaları Dergisi, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 62-74.
• Foss, N. J. and Eriksen, B. (1995). “Competitive Advantage and Industry Capabilities.” Resource-Based and Evolutionary Theories of the Firm: Towards a Synthesis, C. A. Montgomery, Ed., Springer US, Boston, MA.
• Elo, S. and Kyngäs, H. (2008). “The qualitative content analysis process.” Journal of Advanced Nursing, Vol. 62, No.1., pp. 107-115.
• Fasoulis, I. (2021). “Investigating the effectiveness of the maritime regulatory regime to address a socially responsible shipping industry: a content analysis study.” International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 629-640.
• Gökmen, G. in press. “Slow Steaming and Its Impact on Fruit and Vegetable Exporters in Türkiye.” Denizcilik Araştırmaları Dergisi: Amfora.
• Graetz, F. (2002). “Strategic thinking versus strategic planning: towards understanding the complementarities.” Management decision, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 456-462.
• Greenwood, R. and Hanson, S. G. (2015). “Waves in Ship Prices and Investment.” Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. 130, No. 1, pp. 55-109.
• Hart, S. and Banbury, C. (1994). “How strategy-making processes can make a difference?” Strategic Management Journal. Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 251-269.
• Hermann, R. R. (2017). “Drivers for environmental technologies selection in the shipping industry: a case study of the North European Sulphur Emission Control Area.” International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Vol. 20, No. 3/4, pp. 139. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijetm.2017.089642
• İMEAK DTO Denizcilik Sektör Raporu, https://www.denizticaretodasi.org.tr/media/SharedDocuments/sektorraporu/2024/Denizcilik%20Sekt%C3%B6r%20Raporu%202023_web2.pdf [Accessed 10 Oct 2024].
• Kaplan, R.S. and Norton, D.P. (2014). Strateji Haritaları. Alfa Basım, İstanbul.
• Karagiannis, I., Vouros, P., Sioutas, N., and Evangelinos, K. (2022). “Mapping the maritime CSR agenda: A cross-sectoral materiality analysis of sustainability reporting.” Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 338, No. 130139, pp. 11-18. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130139
• Ketchen Jr, D. J., Boyd, B. K., and Bergh, D. D. (2008). “Research methodology in strategic management: Past accomplishments and future challenges.” Organisational Research Methods. Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 643-658.
• Kılınç, Ö., and Arıcı, A. (2020). “Yıllık Raporlarda Kurumsal Anlatı: Kurum Yöneticilerinin Mektuplarına Yönelik Bir Söylem Analizi.” Ankara Üniversitesi İlef Dergisi, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 167-194.
• Kotter, J. P., and Heskett, J. L. (1992). Corporate Culture and Performance, Free Press, New York.
• Koufopoulos, D. N., Lagoudis, I. N. and Pastra, A. (2005). “Planning practices in the Greek ocean shipping industry.” European Business Review, Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 151-176.
• Koukaki, T., and Tei, A. (2020). “Innovation and maritime transport: A systematic review.” Case Studies on Transport Policy, Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 700-710. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2020.07.009
• Kronfeld-Goharani, U. (2018). “Maritime economy: Insights on corporate visions and strategies towards sustainability.” Ocean & Coastal Management, Vol. 165, pp. 126-140. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2018.08.010
• Lee, C. B., Wan, J., Shi, W. & Li, K. (2014). “A cross-country study of competitiveness of the shipping industry.” Transport Policy, Vol. 35, pp. 366-376. Mayring, P. (2015). “Qualitative Content Analysis: Theoretical Background and Procedures.” Approaches to Qualitative Research in Mathematics Education: Examples of Methodology and Methods, A. Bikner-Ahsbahs, C. Knipping, and N. Presmeg, Eds, Springer Netherlands, Dordrecht.
• Lin, H., Zeng, W., Luo, J., and Nan, G. (2022). “An analysis of port congestion alleviation strategy based on system dynamics.” Ocean & Coastal Management, Vol. 229, No. 106336, pp. 1-15. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106336
• Liu, J., Zhang, H., and Zhen, L. (2023). “Blockchain technology in maritime supply chains: applications, architecture and challenges.” International Journal of Production Research, Vol. 61, No. 11, pp. 3547-3563. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2021.1930239
• Mintzberg, H., Ahlstrand, B. and Lampel, J. B. (2020). Strategy safari: The complete guide through the wilds of strategic management, Pearson UK.
• Mitroussi, K. (2013). “Ship Management: Contemporary Developments and Implications.” The Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, Vol. 29, No. 2, 229-248.
• Morgan, D. L. (1993). “Qualitative content analysis: a guide to paths not taken.” Qualitative health research, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 112-121.
• Neuendorf, K. A. (2016). The Content Analysis Guidebook, Sage.
• Notteboom, T. E. (2004). “Container shipping and ports: an overview.” Review of Network Economics, Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 86-106.
• Notteboom, T. E., Rodrigue, J. P. and De Monie, G. (2016). “Organisational and geographical ramifications of the 2008–2009 financial crisis on the maritime shipping and port industries.” Integrating Seaports and Trade Corridors, pp. 31-45, Routledge.
• Nowińska, A. (2019). “Ships and relationships: Competition, geographical proximity, and relations in the shipping industry.” Journal of Business Research, Vol. 101, pp. 161-170.
• Omrani, H. and Keshavarz, M. (2015). “A performance Evaluation Model for Supply Chain of Shipping Company in Iran: An Application of the Relational Network DEA.” Maritime Policy and Management, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 121-135.
• Pantouvakis, A., and Vlachos, I. (2020). “Talent and leadership effects on sustainable performance in the maritime industry.” Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, Vol. 86, No. 102440, pp. 1-29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2020.102440
• Pettigrew, A. M., Whittington, R. and Thomas, H. (2001). Handbook of strategy and management, Sage Publications.
• Phillips, N., Sewell, G. and Jaynes, S. (2007). “Applying Critical Discourse Analysis in Strategic Management Research.” Organisational Research Methods, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 770-789.
• Rodrigue, J. P. (2020). The Geography of Transport Systems (5th ed.), Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429346323
• Saban, M. and Güğerçin, G. (2009). “Deniz taşımacılığı işletmelerinde maliyetleri etkileyen faktörler ve sefer maliyetleri.” Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Denizcilik Fakültesi Dergisi, Vol. 1. No. 1, pp. 1-16.
• SOUTH, S. E. (1981). “Competitive Advantage: The Cornerstone of Strategic Thinking.” Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 15-25.
• Sminia, H. (2021). The strategic manager: Understanding strategy in practice. Routledge.
• Sminia, H., and de Rond, M. (2012). “Context and action in the transformation of strategy scholarship.” Journal of Management Studies, Vol. 49, No. 7, pp. 1329-1349.
• Sözüer, A. (2022). “Türkiye’de tepe yöneticilerin stratejik yönetim söylemi.” Stratejik Yönetim Araştırmaları Dergisi, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 1-16.
• Stopford, M. (2009). Maritime economics, Routledge, London.
• Strauss, A. and Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques, SAGE Publications, New Delhi.
• Thai, V. V., Balasubramanyam, L., Yeoh, K. K. L., and Norsofiana, S. (2013). “Revisiting the seafarer shortage problem: the case of Singapore.” Maritime Policy & Management, Vol. 40, No. 1, pp. 80-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2012.744480
• UNCTAD. (2024). Review of Maritime Transport 2024, United Nations.
• UNCTAD. (2023). Review of Maritime Transport 2023, United Nations.
• Ültay, E., Akyurt, H., and Ültay, N. (2021). “Sosyal bilimlerde betimsel içerik analizi.” IBAD Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Vol. 10, pp. 188-201.
• Vermeulen, K. J. (2013). “Framing a Canvas for Shipping Strategy.” The handbook of maritime economics and business, C, Grammenos, Ed., Taylor and Francis.
• Wang, P. and Mileski, J. (2018). “Strategic maritime management as a new emerging field in maritime studies.” Maritime Business Review, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 290-313.
• Wang, X., Wong, Y. D., Li, K. X., and Yuen, K. F. (2021). “Shipping industry's sustainability communications to public in social media: A longitudinal analysis.” Transport Policy, Vol. 110, pp. 123-134. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2021.05.031
• Wu, X., Zhang, L. and Luo, M. (2020). “Current strategic planning for sustainability in international shipping. Environment.” Development and Sustainability, Vol. 22, pp. 1729-1747.
• Yashalova, N. N., and Ruban, D. A. (2023). “Content of Corporate Vision Statements in Maritime Logistics: A Case Study of the Largest Companies.” Economies, Vol. 11, No. 3: 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/economies11030087