This research aims to understand the problems of the Korean tramp ships amidst global competition, and to find their advantages in order to propose policies that may effectively improve their management performance
the causal relationship between the liners core process and performance has been analyses and the results are as follows:
First, out of four types of tramp, vessel management and operation management were recognized as the most important core process factors,followed by management system, crew management and vessel acquisition.
Second, comparing the importance of variables in factors, decision making support system was recognized as most important in management system factor, financial capacity in vessel acquisition in vessel acquisition factor,vessel safety and sustained environmental education in crew management factor, the clarity of the captain’s authority in vessel safety and environmental protection in vessel management and operation management.
In performance variable, the accident rate took the highest priority.
Third, in terms of causal relationship between processes, management system factor had the biggest effect on vessel management and operationmanagement factors. This was followed by the effect of crew management on vessel management and operation management, and then that of management system factor on vessel acquisition and crew management factors. The effect of vessel management and operation management on performance was strong in terms of profit effect, but was rather low in cost effect.
Fourth, according to the results of hypothesis verification according to the route analysis between factors, the effect of vessel acquisition factor on vessel management and operation management had no significant relevance. The influence of vessel management and operation management on cost effect (Hypothesis VI-1) showed a significance possibility of below 0.05 and a significant definition relationship. Other hypothesis all showed strongly significant positive relationships.
According to the results of this research, vessel management and operation management process are all core processes that contribute to the cost reduction and profit maximization of tramp company. Hence, the operation of appropriate preventive maintenance system, appropriate causal analysis of vessel damage, response and regular thorough vessel maintenance are necessary. Also, appropriate analysis of operation record,establishment of operation plan, and the establishment of appropriate response system for safe operation, cargo management and pollution prevention are necessary to build competitive strength. Five types of core process influence in order and eventually have positive influence on the performance of tramp company. The research shows that the management of tramp companies must consider such influential relationships in their systematic management of process in order to cut cost and maximize profit.