ORCID Profile
0000-0001-6780-4888
Current Organisation
University of Tasmania
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Publisher: AHFE International
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.54941/AHFE1002500
Abstract: Accelerating towards an autonomous future, the maritime transport industry is going through a phase of rapid digitalization and automation. Novel technologies and complex tools, that substitute human functions, are increasingly introduced on board modern ships. However, experiences from other industries show that introducing complex technologies in the workplace without due consideration of the human factors can often lead to disastrous consequences. Traditionally, seafarers developed their competencies through authentic participation in shipboard activities, under the guidance of experienced seniors. However, with digitalization, various tasks are getting internalized, leaving no clues about the inner workings to an onlooker, and this in turn, is adversely affecting their learning opportunities. Studies also show that in a technology-rich workplace, the limited number of human operators overseeing multiple, complex tasks, can cause job intensification, operator’s cognitive overload, error in judgment, and costly accidents. The recent investigation reports of many maritime accidents point to the improper use of technology as among the major causal factors. This underscores the need for re-addressing cognitive human factor and competency development of seafarers, relevant to the use of modern technology and human-machine interactions. In this book chapter, we propose the use of theoretical framework of Quasi-Community (QC) to better understand the context and prepare the seafarers to interact, learn, adapt, and develop new competencies for their technology-rich workplace. With its fluid, dynamic, decentralized hierarchy, and shared expertise as a common resource, we argue that the concept of QC will make an ideal framework that can facilitate the creation of a supportive learning environment for transitioning and future seafarers.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-04-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S13437-023-00311-8
Abstract: This paper presents the cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) or simply activity theory (AT) as a suitable framework to theorize seafarers’ learning in a technologically evolving shipboard environment. The recent increase in the digitalization and automation onboard ships is introduced with the aim of enhancing maritime safety and efficiency. However, maritime incidents and accidents continue to occur when seafarers overwhelmed by the complexity of novel technologies and automated tools, often fail to recognize and timely respond to developing hazards. The fundamental changes in the shipboard workplaces and the seafarers’ need for interaction with smart tools calls for a fresh look at cognitive and learning processes and situated action onboard ships. The activity theory provides a theoretical lens that affords a holistic, socio-technical perspective on the inter-dependent elements of a collective shipboard learning activity system. Any misalignment among the elements of this activity system or between itself and other relevant activity systems may result in contradictions. Resolving such contradictions becomes essential for achieving the desired outcome, i.e., competent seafarers who can safely operate highly digitalized future ships.
Publisher: AHFE International
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.54941/AHFE1002500
Abstract: Accelerating towards an autonomous future, the maritime transport industry is going through a phase of rapid digitalization and automation. Novel technologies and complex tools, that substitute human functions, are increasingly introduced on board modern ships. However, experiences from other industries show that introducing complex technologies in the workplace without due consideration of the human factors can often lead to disastrous consequences. Traditionally, seafarers developed their competencies through authentic participation in shipboard activities, under the guidance of experienced seniors. However, with digitalization, various tasks are getting internalized, leaving no clues about the inner workings to an onlooker, and this in turn, is adversely affecting their learning opportunities. Studies also show that in a technology-rich workplace, the limited number of human operators overseeing multiple, complex tasks, can cause job intensification, operator’s cognitive overload, error in judgment, and costly accidents. The recent investigation reports of many maritime accidents point to the improper use of technology as among the major causal factors. This underscores the need for re-addressing cognitive human factor and competency development of seafarers, relevant to the use of modern technology and human-machine interactions. In this book chapter, we propose the use of theoretical framework of Quasi-Community (QC) to better understand the context and prepare the seafarers to interact, learn, adapt, and develop new competencies for their technology-rich workplace. With its fluid, dynamic, decentralized hierarchy, and shared expertise as a common resource, we argue that the concept of QC will make an ideal framework that can facilitate the creation of a supportive learning environment for transitioning and future seafarers.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2023
No related grants have been discovered for Saratkumar Narayanan.