Maritime Human Resource Management - Chapter 1: HRM Functions, Theory, and Maritime Organisational Structures

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering maritime human resource management functions, organizational behavior theories, shore department structures, and shipboard hierarchy.

Human Resource Management (HRM)

The organisational function that recruits, manages, and provides direction for employees, helping the organisation obtain suitable people and support their performance.

Personnel Management (PM)

A traditional administrative approach focusing on personnel procedures, monitoring, written contract compliance, established rules, and indirect communication.

Psychological Contract

The unwritten set of mutual expectations, perceived promises, and obligations regarding trust, support, and fair treatment that exists alongside the formal employment contract.

Managerial Functions of HRM

The administrative framework guiding human resource activities, consisting of planning, organising, directing, and controlling.

Planning (HRM Function)

The managerial function of identifying workforce requirements by comparing operational demand with current capabilities to determine recruitment and development needs.

Organising (HRM Function)

The managerial function that distributes work duties, establishes reporting lines, and clarifies responsibilities among departments and managers.

Directing (HRM Function)

The managerial function involving leadership, communication, task allocation, and operational guidance provided to help employees perform their work.

Controlling (HRM Function)

The managerial function that compares actual performance and workforce outcomes with expectations to determine necessary corrective actions.

Staffing

An operative HRM function encompassing job analysis, human resource planning, recruitment, selection, placement, induction, and internal mobility.

Maintenance (HRM Operative Function)

An operative HRM function that sustains employees' ongoing capacity to work through health, safety, working conditions, and welfare support.

Integration (HRM Operative Function)

An operative HRM function that handles employee-organisation relations, including grievance mechanisms, discipline procedures, worker participation, and collective bargaining.

Societal Objectives of HRM

Objectives requiring human resource management to uphold ethical and social responsibilities within employment decisions and policies.

Functional Objectives of HRM

Objectives ensuring that the HR department provides useful, fit-for-purpose operational support tailored to organizational needs without unnecessary complexity.

Human Capital Theory

An economic and HRM theory stating that education and training represent investments that build productive knowledge, diagnostic competence, and technical skills.

Resource-Based View (RBV)

A theoretical framework stating that competitive advantage arises from valuable, firm-specific resources, such as accumulated employee experience and coordinated routines that competitors cannot easily duplicate.

Ability–Motivation–Opportunity (AMO) Framework

A performance framework proposing that employee performance depends on individual capability (Ability), willingness to contribute (Motivation), and the work environment or autonomy to apply skills (Opportunity).

Contingency Approach

An HRM theory asserting that effective human resource practices must be designed to fit the specific operating context, such as vessel type, operational risk, technology, and workforce structure.

Social Exchange Theory

A theory proposing that fair, supportive managerial treatment encourages reciprocal trust, commitment, and cooperation from employees.

Ship Management

The coordination of resources, personnel, and operational activities required to run a vessel or fleet, carried out either in-house by the shipowner or through a third-party management agreement.

Commercial Management

A branch of ship management focused on vessel employment, commercial planning, marketing, and matching vessel capacity with cargo transportation demand.

Technical Management

A branch of ship management that ensures vessel operational capability, machinery maintenance, statutory surveys, repairs, spares procurement, and docking arrangements.

Marine Insurance and Claims Department

A shore-based shipping department responsible for managing vessel insurance policies, documenting damage incidents, and processing cargo and marine claims.

Liner Department

A shipping company department managing vessels that operate on regular, fixed routes and published schedules, often involving inter-company coordination or alliances.

Master (Captain)

The person with ultimate command of the vessel, holding legal and operational responsibility for safety, navigation, and total crew performance.

Chief Officer (Chief Mate)

The second-in-command deck officer below the master who manages the deck department, vessel stability, cargo operations, deck maintenance, and crew supervision.

Second Officer (Second Mate)

A deck officer primarily responsible for navigational planning, upkeep of navigational charts and publications, and assigned bridge watchkeeping (commonly the 12–4 watch).

Third Officer (Third Mate)

A deck officer responsible for inspecting safety and lifesaving equipment and performing bridge watchkeeping duties (commonly the 8–12 watch).

Boatswain (Bosun)

The senior deck rating who acts as a supervisor for the ratings, coordinating hands-on deck maintenance and daily practical work under the chief officer's direction.

Able Seaman (AB)

A qualified deck rating responsible for navigational lookout, steering, gangway or anchor watches, and general deck maintenance.

Ordinary Seaman (OS)

An entry-level deck rating who assists with general vessel cleaning, surface preparation, chipping, painting, and maintenance under supervision.

Chief Engineer

The head of the engineering department who oversees the operation, technical performance, and maintenance of all shipboard machinery and mechanical systems.

Second Engineer (First Assistant Engineer)

The engineering officer responsible for organizing daily engine room maintenance and supervising the operation of main propulsion and auxiliary machinery under the chief engineer.

Third Engineer (Second Assistant Engineer)

An engine officer commonly responsible for auxiliary machinery, boilers, fuel treatment systems, and bunkering operations.

Fourth Engineer (Third Assistant Engineer)

A junior engine officer typically assigned duties related to electrical systems, bilge systems, oily-water separators, sewage plant, and lubrication machinery.

Steward / Catering Department

The shipboard department responsible for food preparation, galley cleanliness, provisions, and living accommodation upkeep to support seafarer health and welfare.